Stretch It: Iliotibial Band With Legs Crossed


Updated 08/18/09 8:31 AM · Posted by FitSugar · 1 comment

Stretch It: Iliotibial Band With Legs Crossed

If you're looking for a stretch that targets your iliotibial Band (ITB) on your outer thigh and your obliques, this stretch is a must. It's similar to the iliotibial band on the wall, but you'll feel this one in your waist more. It is great post-run stretch too. If you're curious to know how to do this stretch, then read more Read more

Stretch It: Iliotibial Band and Outer Thigh


Updated 05/11/11 1:29 PM · Posted by FitSugar · 12 comments

Stretch It:  Iliotibial Band and Outer Thigh

Running can take its toll on your knees and having tight muscles and soft tissue around the very important knee joint can increase the toll we runners pay. That is why stretching is so very important. This stretch targets the iliotibial band (ITB), the thick band of fascia that runs down the outside of the thigh, and it is important because when the ITB gets tight it can pull the knee cap out Read more

Get to Know Your Iliotibial Band


Updated 04/18/12 9:27 AM · Posted by · 7 comments

What Is the Iliotibial Band and Why Does It Cause Me Pain?

Many a runner has been sidelined by knee pain caused by the iliotibial band (aka the ITB). But knowing how to deal with this long band of fascia, which runs down the outside of the thigh from the pelvis to just below the shin, can help keep an injury at bay. Knowledge is power, and we want to help keep you on the road. First off, fascia is a stiff connective tissue (like tendons and ligaments) Read more

ITB Relief: Stretch Your Booty


Updated 04/17/12 12:43 PM · Posted by FitSugar · 1 comment

Stretches to Help Relieve Knee Pain

The iliotibial band (aka ITB or IT band) runs down the outside of your upper leg and if you run or bike this band of fascia can get tight. So tight it can pull your kneecap out of alignment causing a world of pain. Aside from working the tight IT band with a foam roller it's a good idea to stretch your glutes. The iliotibial band and the glute max, the biggest of the booty muscles, are connected. Read more

Ways to Keep Knee Pain at Bay


Updated 01/26/12 6:50 PM · Posted by · 4 comments

What to Do to Prevent Knee Pain

When a good workout leaves my muscles sore, I know I'm getting stronger every day and revel in the pain. But when a long run leaves me with achy knees, I'm reminded that I'm getting a little bit older and a little more creaky. Unfortunately, my knees have been talking back a lot lately — just another reminder that as your age increases so does the amount of time you need to spend doing body Read more

Strength Training No-Nos: What Not to Do When in Squats


Updated 12/13/11 12:05 PM · Posted by · 0 comments

Mistakes When Squatting

No matter your fitness passion, from snowboarding to CrossFit, you likely do squats in your sweat sessions — they're a fitness staple. Sometimes, the more simple the move, the more careless we become when doing it, and before you know it you have sloppy squats. Here are four common mistakes that plague the standard squat. Next time you head to the gym, take a little time to get back to basics Read more

Common Running Injuries and How to Avoid Them


Updated 06/30/11 8:05 AM · Posted by · 6 comments

Exercises to Prevent Common Running Injuries

Even with the longer days of the Summer months, I sometimes feel like there is so much training to do and so little time to pack it in. Upping your mileage certainly brings increased stamina, so you can "bring it" at your races, but it can also mean increased injury risk. Overuse injuries are the bane of any runner's well-laid training plans. And that is where some prehab comes into play. You can Read more