When it comes to longevity in the weight room and on the field, not getting hurt is key. And while it's mostly anecdotal evidence, the athletes and clients of mine who perform dedicated stretches – especially the hip flexor stretch – prior to training and competition tend to not get hurt. Sure, we know that stretching is important to give
The lower back is a sensitive spot for many people. While there can be a ton of causes of lower back pain, a weak core and poor posture from sitting all day (and consequently shortening the hip muscles that then pull on the lower back) are two really common contributing factors to lower backaches and discomfort. It's always important to
Chances are you already know all about the benefits of foam rolling for your workouts. But if you just use a foam roller to rehab injured muscles, you’re not getting the most out of it. The foam roller may be one of the best training tools at your disposal. When you know how to foam roll properly, you’re not only providing
Are you dealing with shooting pains or numbness from sciatica? Discomfort is caused when the sciatic nerve (which runs from the lower spine down the back of each leg) gets pinched. It can be caused by an injury such as a slipped disk or pelvic fracture, pregnancy, or tight muscles in the lower back, hips, and legs. Whatever the cause,
Unless you are secretly a superhero, your body requires sleep. But very often when bedtime comes at the end of a busy day, it’s hard to allow the body and mind to slow down. You check email, you scroll through social media, and fall down the rabbit hole. Before you know it, it’s midnight, the blue light from your electronics
Being a strong runner isn’t all about the miles you put in, strength matters too. And while many runners avoid strength training because they worry it will make them bulky and run slower, the reality is anything but. Strengthening exercises should be a big part of all runners’ training as they can help prevent bone loss while reducing joint pain and running
Yoga gives your muscles a chance to relax and lengthen after they've been contracting throughout your workout, which should help you maintain range of motion even after intense exercise. It also helps lower your heart rate, so you can enter recovery mode faster. In other words, you'll be in better shape to max out your next workout, whatever it may
Never been a fan of running? We're about to change your mind. Put one foot in front of the other and start chasing these awesome benefits of running. As simple as running may be, it certainly isn’t easy. Especially when you’re a beginner. You have to start where you are, not where you think you should be! If you go
Stretching is an extremely important practice to add to your daily routine to be on your way to better health. Even if you are not planning on exercising vigorously, it is still important to stretch in order to receive multiple benefits for your body and your mind. Incorporating stretching into your daily workouts is a given but stretching is very
Don't let sitting at work make your body stiff and sore! Use these quick and easy stretches to increase your range of motion, prevent injury, and help you feel more energized and focused. If you sit all day long in an office, you could be sacrificing your effectiveness in the gym, or even putting yourself at risk for injury. Continuous
