FitSugar

You Asked: Ouch! I Pulled My Groin

FitSugar — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 03:30:00 -0700

Hey FitSugar,

I'm usually really good about warming up and stretching before a workout, but last week at the gym, I did something stupid. I excitedly hopped on a weight machine I don't usually use, and while trying to work my hamstrings, I pulled my groin. Ouch!

Now it just won't seem to get well. How can I treat it? Do I have to stop exercising all together? I hope not, because I'd hate to stop working out.
- Groaning About My Groin

Ouch is right. A strained muscle in the groin is very painful, and it's a hard one to avoid using - it can smart every time you walk. This is a very common injury, so for some tips on treating it, read more.

A pulled groin is actually a strain in the muscles known as the adductor group, which connects the pelvis to the femur. The injury occurs when you overstretch a muscle and can result in small tears in the tissue. It usually happens if you haven't warmed up properly or if you're attempting to lift more than you're accustomed to - both of which sound like culprits in your case.

To treat it, try the good, old-fashioned combination of rest and ice. Initially, you should ice the muscle for about 20 minutes at a time. Yes, that means sitting with an icepack on your crotch, but don't worry: After 48 hours, you can transition to heating pads or similar warming treatments. Anti-inflammatory medications can also help with any pain or swelling.

You don't have to stop exercising entirely, but do listen to the muscle, and don't do anything that makes it hurt more. It's especially important to avoid strength training the adductors or stretching them until the pain has subsided. When it does, probably after a week or two, don't forget to try these inner thigh stretches after your are warmed up before resuming your next activity. Hope you feel better soon!

Source

IT IS THIGH TIME: Inner Thigh Work

FitSugar — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 11:15:00 -0800

Here is another IT IS THIGH TIME video. To slim down muscular thighs you need to strengthen the inner thigh after releasing your quads and IT band. This exercise series might remind you of Jane Fonda's work out videos from the 80's, but they've been staples of the Pilates mat repertoire for many decades.

Make sure you are lying on something soft like a thick rug or exercise mat to cushion your hips.

Stayed tuned for more It is Thigh Time exercise videos.

Work it Girl!

FitSugar — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 07:00:00 -0800

Almost everyone is trying to find out ways to stay active at work. We've seen everything from jumping jacks on the hour every hour, to offices with treadmills placed right in front of computers.

For some less embarrassing ideas try any or all of the following:

The easiest way to get an extra workout at work: Take the stairs! Everyone should know where the nearest stairs are in your office building anyway, so use them.
Wrist work: Stretch a rubber band using all of your fingers, then over 2 or 3 fingers.
Inner thigh work: Place full water bottle (or anything similar that is not breakable) between your knees and, keeping abs in, squeeze bottle gently. Repeat several times throughout the day.

5 Ways to Tone Your Inner Thighs

FitSugar — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 09:00:06 -0700

In my years teaching Pilates, I found that most women have weak inner thighs. Body parts that don't often see the sun tend to check out, turn off, and lose tone. Summer fashions, however, mean the inner thighs see plenty of sun. If you have noticed a bit of jiggle in that area, try these five toning moves.

View Slideshow ›

Get on the Ball: Side-Leg Lifts

FitSugar — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 03:30:00 -0700

Using an exercise ball when strength training is a great way to add a little bit more challenge to basic exercises. Since you have to work hard to keep the ball in place, you end up using more muscle groups. This exercise will tone your thighs, especially your inner thighs and also your core.

For instruction read more.

Lie on your side on the floor with your arms crossed in front of your body. If this is uncomfortable, bend your bottom elbow and rest your head on your hand.
Place a large exercise ball in between your feet and slowly lift the ball up toward the ceiling using only your hips and butt. Return to the start position. This counts as one repetition.
Complete three sets of 15 reps.

Stretch It: Inner Thighs

FitSugar — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 08:45:00 -0800

It is best to stretch warm muscles, which means you should stretch after a run or a workout. Sometimes though, you are not really in a place where you want to throw yourself onto the ground and commence stretching. That is one reason I love this inner thigh stretch. You can do it anywhere without touching the ground.

Side Lunge for the Inner Thigh

Stand with your feet about 4 feet apart and toes facing forward.
Bend your left knee, making sure your left knee doesn't move beyond your ankle. Rotate your pelvis slightly to the left to increase the stretch of your right inner thigh.
To keep pressure out of the inside of your right knee, really weight the outside of the right foot.

Hold for 15 to 30 seconds, then switch sides. Repeat stretch twice on each side.

Source

Stretch It: Inner Thigh

FitSugar — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 03:00:00 -0700

I have received many requests from inflexible readers for stretches. So here is one of my favorites, especially for after a run since you can do it anywhere and you don't have to lie down to do it. It stretches the inner thighs (aka adductors) safely and effectively, and those inner thighs are often forgotten in a workout as well as stretching.

Inner Thigh Stretch
hold stretch for 20 seconds
or 5 long, slow breaths

Start in squat with your knees open, heels up and hands on the ground in front of you.
Put more weight on your right foot and straighten your left out to the side.
Don't jam your left knee, keep it slightly soft so you don't hyper-extend the joint.

Then switch sides.
Stretch each side twice.

Don't forget to breathe while you are stretching and remember you should warm up for at least five minutes before doing any deep stretching.

Stretch It: Wall Straddle

FitSugar — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 13:00:00 -0800

The wall is a great prop to use when stretching because it can either support the weight of your body, as in Shoulder Wall Roll, or add resistance like with this Chest Opener. If you liked the relaxing Legs up the Wall Stretch, here's a variation that will stretch your inner thighs.

To find out how to do this read more.

Place a folded bolster, blanket, or pillow against a wall.
Sit down as close as you can to the wall, next to the pillow. Lie down on your back, place your feet on the wall with your knees bent, and scoot your body over so that your bottom and lower back are on the pillow.
You want to adjust your body so that your bum is touching the wall, and then place your feet straight up, resting your heels on the wall. Now separate your feet and slide your legs down the wall toward the ground, coming into a straddle position.
You can keep your arms by your sides, or by your head (this position will stretch your shoulders).
Close your eyes and allow your entire body to relax, feeling gravity pulling your feet down and opening your inner thighs. If it becomes too intense, place your hands on the outside of your thighs for a little support.
Hold like this for several minutes or longer. Once you've had enough, slide your feet up the wall toward each other. Then walk your feet down the wall, draw your knees into your chest and roll your body over to one side. Rest your head on the inside of your arm, staying like this in fetal position for a minute or so. Then you can roll up onto your knees and come to stand up.

Stretch It: Frogger

FitSugar — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 07:57:10 -0800

If you've been doing a lot of squats, biking, running, or sitting for long periods, you could use a good hip and inner thigh opener. This stretch I call Frogger might look a little x-rated, but once you get past that, it'll become your new favorite post-workout move. (Though I'd refrain from dropping on the floor in the middle of your office to do this one.) Like Pigeon and Butterfly, this hip opener is intense and most beneficial if you hang out in it for a while - at least a minute.

Music: "Desafinado" by Charlie Byrd and Stan Getz

To find out how to get in and out of this pose, read more.

Begin on your hands and knees on a carpeted surface. If you don't have carpet, fold up a blanket so it's at least four feet long. You'll need some cushion for your knees.
Now slowly slide your knees out to the side, away from each other, and move your feet as well so that your ankles remain in line with your knees. Flex your feet so your toes are pointing out. This stretch becomes intense quickly, so only widen your knees and lower your hips until you feel a nice stretch. You shouldn't feel any discomfort or pain.
Once your legs are in a good position, if you're low enough you can walk your hands out and release your elbows to the ground. Use your hands to help press your hips back toward your feet to intensify the feeling in your legs. Keep your head lifted and your shoulders relaxed so your pelvis continues to press toward the ground.
Breathe deeply in this position, staying for as long as you'd like. When you're ready to come out, move slowly. Come up onto your hands if you're not there already, and lean forward as your bring your heels together behind you. Then slide your knees together and come into Child's pose to give your hips a rest.

Strike a Yoga Pose: Wide-Legged Forward Bend E

FitSugar — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 04:00:00 -0700

In Ashtanga yoga, although there are technically four Wide-Legged Forward Bend poses, sometimes I've been to classes where the instructor throws in a fifth - Wide-Legged Forward Bend E. This pose is great for stretching your hips, hamstrings, and inner thighs.

Sanskrit Name: Prasarita Padottanasana E
English Translation: Feet Spread Intense Stretch Pose E
Also Called: Wide-Legged Forward Bend E or Wide-Legged Split

You definitely don't have to go down this far. Want to see the variations for this pose? Then read more

Start off in Wide-Legged Forward Bend D pose.
Widen your stance a little in order to place your palms flat on the ground right below your shoulders.
Start to inch your feet further apart, making sure to keep your heels wider than your toes. Keep the soles of your feet flat on the ground at all times to protect your knees.

As your hips get lower, you can prop yourself up with your forearms, and then move down to your shoulders.
If your shoulders are on the ground, turn your head to the side, and rest your cheek on the ground so you don't bruise your chin.
To get out of this pose, slowly come back on to your hands and walk your feet closer together until your big toes are touching.
Stay here in a forward bend until you're ready to slowly come to stand.