I hope you are all keeping well. Runnersworld Shops will be re-opening on Monday 15 June 2020 in line with Government guidelines. The treatment room is unlikely to be able to open before 4 July 2020, I will let you know as soon as we know the date we are able to re-open the clinic.
I spend a good 10mins on abdominals daily, however, I have learned the importance of incorporating exercises which not only help me to increase the strength in my abdominals but also help me to practice control of movement through my torso and hips allows me to move more fluidly.
If I am driving my elbows back and the muscles through the side of my body and my hips are weak, I may find I am rotating more than I need to and then my knee or foot may be rolling inwards or outwards too much.
I could go away and strengthen my abs, glutes, obliques and I may be lucky in that my body automatically adopts a better movement pattern so that as my elbow drives back, the muscles through my lower back, hips and legs all join in at the right time to propel me forwards smoothly and efficiently.
The alternative is I go away and have stronger abs, glutes and obliques however, unaware of the firing pattern of the muscles, which determines the shape I make I continue to move in the same way as before, despite having done all of the exercises to strengthen the ‘weak’ core abs etc.
Somehow for me applying awareness whilst putting in core and abs work helps me to understand the importance of the part these muscles play, so that I get a better response from these muscles during my run, in particular when I am struggling to hold my shape together at the end of a hard training session.
I’ve put together a short clip of some exercises to help strengthen and engage your ‘core’ abs etc.
Rather than just going through the motions of the exercises play around with how it feels in your body as you do them. I’ve added some cue’s in to help with this but you can also develop your own. You may be surprised with the changes you make over a month or two of applying awareness to your movements.
I’m aware a lot of you are working from home and perhaps getting stiff hips, backs, legs etc …next week I will take you through how to help set up your workspace and some movements you can do during the day to help alleviate some of the tensions you are getting.
Stay safe
Sharon
sd@runnersworld.ltd.uk