Knee Health & Running: Roll Out Those IT Bands
Exercise Video: Hip Flexor Stretch with Foam Roller
Do you run? Do you sit? Do you bike? Do you drive? If you answered yes to any of the questions above, you probably have tight hip flexors. Here is one of my favorite stretches using a foam roller. Watch it and try it. If you have a yoga bolster, you can use that instead of a foam roller. The stretch might not be as intense, but it will still be beneficial. Also, let me know if you have Read more
Get to Know Your Iliotibial Band
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
Fit Tip: Add a Massage to Your Routine
Having a standing spa appointment may sound indulgent, but in reality it can be just as important as any other healthy habit in your wellness routine. Why should you invest your time in a massage? Not only are massages good for your muscles, especially after a long week of arduous workouts, but getting a massage also helps the rest of your body and your mind. Getting a massage helps you relax, Read more
The 4 Things Runners Need to Do Every Week
Running is one of the most popular forms of cardio because it's inexpensive, you can do it anywhere, and it burns major calories while toning your lower body. That said, if you run, here are four things you should be doing every week. Vary your workouts: Doing the same running workout all the time can not only be boring, but can also lead to overuse injuries in the muscles. Mix up the surface Read more
Workout Essentials That Aren't Just For Yogis
The first time you walked into a yoga studio you probably saw a wall of blocks like the ones above, and a few of these foam cylindrical tubes lying around too. I'll admit it, at first I didn't quite know what purpose either of these items served. But after taking a few classes that incorporated both blocks and rollers, I was instantly hooked! What's great about both yoga blocks ($15) and foam Read more
Reader Holiday Gift Guide: For the Fitness Fan on Your List (or You!)
Need a fitness-related gift for fit-minded friends or relative? FitFabCities has you covered. She's rounded up her favorite gifts from foam rollers to iPads. Okay, I’m willing to admit I might be a little weird. Every year for Christmas I ask for some sort of fitness thing. One year it was a BOSU ball, then next it was boxing gloves and last year it was kettlebells, and every December 26th I Read more
Get Massaging and Rolling With a Foam Roller
There's nothing quite like a sports massage to help one feel rejuvenated and refreshed. Unfortunately, we don't all have the time and money required to pamper ourselves on a routine basis. Enter the foam roller. The cylindrical apparatus can provide your body relief in your own home or at the local gym. It helps the body relax and stretches it in ways that are often left to therapeutic masseuses. Read more
Spring Running Prehab: Roll Your IT Band
Longer days plus warmer weather equals longer runs, especially if you're training for an endurance race. While you can often feel that your muscles have taken a beating, the IT band, the fascia that lines the outside of your quad, takes a beating too. Often you don't feel how tight the IT band is until it interferes with your knee joint function and you end up with the Iliotibial Band Syndrome. Read more
