Exercising can be a rush, in addition to being healthy for you. Whatever your routine may include, it must cover some form of Cardio. Cardiovascular exercise any sustained, aerobic, low to mid intensity workout. There are many Cardio exercises you can engage in – for example, hiking, biking, running, elliptical training, etc. But we will be talking about runners in today’s blog. So, if your workout regime involves running at all, we have some recommendations and warnings for you. Of course, finding the right gear that supports you in your exercise instead of working against you is vital. Your clothing should be comfortable above all else. If you’re debating between getting compression wear or regular gym clothes, we would recommend you check out our previous post The Myths Surrounding “Active-Wear”. Also, keep in mind that if you’re running for a longer duration, there will be chaffing due to friction. Therefore, plan ahead and buy some anti-chaffing products in case you end up using tight fitting compression clothes. If you’re not sure where to start, we would recommend the Performa Z 4092 T-Shirt for men and Avant Pro 100 T-Shirt for women. Both of these shirts are light and low profile. The same principle applies for shorts. The Ultra Run 7104 Shorts or the Ultra Run 501 Shorts are great examples of the type of shorts that will work best due to their moisture wicking properties. Because the whole point of cardiovascular exercise is to sweat, but the point of gym clothes is to not feel your sweat. Once you set yourself up and are ready to go on that run, there is one thing you should focus on. Whether running on a treadmill, running on the streets, or running on a playing field, your running technique will determine how much damage your body will take over the years.
Joint pain, hip injuries are very common among runners. There are many reasons that contribute to runners developing such injuries. One of them can be their running technique. Most people gravitate towards running by striking the floor with the heel of their foot first. Usually this contact happens with the leg stretched out completely and all of your leg joints lining up to your hip. This causes the force of the impact to travel all the way up your leg and hit your hip. And that impact wears on your joints and hips over time. Commonly, people feel as if a thicker cushion in their shoes would prevent further damage.
Commonly, people feel as if a thicker cushion in their shoes would prevent further damage. And a lot of shoe companies respond to this by adding extra cushion at the heel end of their shoes. But this merely encourages runners to keep using the technique that is causing the wear and tear in the first place.
A better technique for running is to make your foot strike the floor flat. Thus, dissipating the impact of the contact. At the same time, at the moment of the strike – try to have your knee bent. This will make sure that the impact doesn’t travel up your leg with as much force.
Employing this running technique will help you avoid causing yourself pain and keep up your favorite way of getting a cardio workout. Transitioning between techniques can take time and patience. Plan shorter runs while you try to focus on your foot placement. There are many things to consider when trying to prevent injuries during a workout, but improving your running technique will go a long way.
Disclaimer: In case you are experiencing any joint pains already, it is highly recommended that you consult a doctor before continuing to workout regularly. Generally, transitioning to riding a bicycle for your cardiovascular workout can prevent further damage. Biking is a lower impact activity as opposed to running and will cause less pain down the road. Access valuable resources and support for finding nearby rehabilitation services at rehabnear.me, offering convenient solutions for individuals seeking assistance on their path to recovery.