Tag: prevent injury

How To Stretch Your Lower Body Safely and Effectively

How To Stretch Your Lower Body Safely and Effectively - by Personal Trainer Jennifer Ledford

The multiple stresses of modern life caused by things like working at a desk, long commutes, or repetitive use of technology seem to be wreaking havoc on people’s bodies these days. Oftentimes, when I begin working with a new private client, the first few weeks are spent working on flexibility and range of motion.  This helps prepare their body to move more efficiently which allows the client to maximize the benefits of their exercise routine and to help prevent injury.

A good exercise routine includes time spent on maintaining flexibility and range of motion to avoid potential joint pain down the road. One of the simplest ways to improve flexibility is stretching.  You don’t need to belong to a gym and while some props or equipment are helpful, they aren’t necessary.

In today’s video I demonstrate the proper way to stretch your quads and your hamstrings both lying on the floor and in a standing position.  It’s usually a good idea to know a few different stretches that can accommodate your current fitness needs and/or location you’ll be performing the exercise.  For example, you may not want to lie on the floor at your office but it’s one of the most important places to stretch your legs after long periods of sitting so knowing some standing stretches is very beneficial in this setting.

Scroll down and take a few minutes to watch the video.  If you have any questions for me, please feel free to leave them in the comment section below or on my Facebook page. Click here to link to my page.

Have a blessed week!

With Love,
Jennifer

 

How To Stretch Your Lower Body Safely and Effectively

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When to Replace Your Walking Shoes — A Guide

Asking yourself,  “when should I get new walking shoes?” You’re not alone! This is a common question for new and regular exercisers alike.

You might be surprised to hear that athletic shoes are only built to last for 350-500 miles. It’s often hard to tell from just looking at them if it’s time for a new pair. While walkers can usually get good support past the 500 mile mark, many people judge replacement time by how the shoe looks, and wait too long to replace  them.

Walking shoes wear out over a period of months. Your body adapts to the subtle wear and tear, and you may not feel that they need to be replaced until the aches and pains start up. Once you feel achy, it’s way past time to replace your walking shoes. When pain shows up, you are at risk of injury — so the best strategy is to say goodbye to your old shoes before the aches and pains rear their ugly head!

Five Helpful Guidelines to Know When to Replace Your Walking Shoes

1)  If you walk 30 minutes per day or an average of 3-4 hours per week, replace your shoes every six months.

2)  If you walk 60 minutes per day, replace them every three months.

This may seem excessive because to the eye they look so new. I’ve replaced shoes that looked brand new, but they were completely worn out!  It’s best to look at athletic shoes as fitness equipment that should be kept up to date for safety purposes. Then you won’t feel like you are overindulging when you replace them frequently.

3)  More casual about your walking? Check the bottom of the shoes. If the tread is worn anywhere, it’s most likely time to get a new pair.

4)  Terrain matters. If you walk mostly indoors on a treadmill, there is less wear and tear on the shoe and you can probably get a little extra mileage out of them. If you walk outdoors, you will want to follow the guidelines listed above.

5)  Are you light on your feet? People with a strong rear heel strike will get less mileage out of their shoes than someone who walks softly. If you know you have a strong stride, you will want to follow the standard guidelines listed above as well.

Just remember — if you are replacing your walking shoes often, you know you are getting lots of exercise!

Have a question or a comment?  Please leave them for me below in the comment section.  I love to hear from you!

To your health and fitness!

Jennifer