Alicia Bell

@trainitright

Personal Trainer located in Toronto, Ontario

www.trainitright.com

All runners need to work on posterior chain strengthening during the off season. Whether you are already doing a strengthening routine or off season weight training is brand new to you the following 3 exercises should be implemented into your routine. These exercises will strategically strengthen the glutes to aid in better running economy, strength and speed in the spring. If you are lifting heavy please make sure to use a spotter. Correct technique should always be used when performing strengthening exercises. Make sure that you perfect your form first before increasing the amount of weight used. Once technique is mastered add weight to these exercises and your glutes will primed for the spring running season.

Box Squat 

3-4 sets x 8-10

Contrary to popular belief simply performing regular squats are not always the best thing for the butt. When the average person squats only a small portion of the movement targets that area. It’s mainly a quad dominant exercise. Box squats are primarily posterior chain and therefore the glutes are doing most of the work.

Technique:

Place an appropriate amount of weight on the bar. Make sure to use a wide stance, leaning forward and sitting back this stretches the posterior chain. Do not lose tension of the muscle by sitting down fully. Maintain tension of the legs and hips, and make sure to keep the bar over your toes. You will have an arched back and will be leaning forward at the hips. Do not to rock back in the squat when initiating  the upward movement. 

Deep Walking Lunge

3-4 sets x 8-10

The deep lunge like the box squat when you are at the bottom of the movement the glutes are stretched. This causes you to use the glutes to get out of the bottom position and will help you strengthen them.

Technique:

Place the weights in each had. First take a big step forward causing you to lean forward at the hip. Lean forward the entire time, press through the heel and power into your next lunge staying in a straight line.

Glute Bridge

3-4 sets x 8-10

This exercise also helps target your glutes specifically because you are contracting them at the end range of the motion.

Technique:

Place the weight safely above your hips. You may use a towel or foam covering for protection. Then place your upper back across a low bench, soft box or floor if the others are unavailable. Your feet should be placed shoulder width apart, with your toes pointing 

slightly out. As you push your hips up focus on squeezing the butt to lift the weight. 

Hold for one second at the top of the movement.

Training Tip Tuesday – How to Pick a Running Shoe

Hi there! Coach Alicia here. You may or may not know that in addition to being a Kinesiologist, Prep Coach, Certified Personal trainer and a Fascial Stretch Therapist that I am also an elite Track and Field Coach. I have owned and operated my own Track and Field club, coached Team Canada at the World Maccabi Games and I am the current head coach of Ryerson University. I have accumulated many sprint and hurdle certifications and you could say I know a thing or two about how to choose the right running shoe.

Choosing the right running shoe is very important not just for a runner, but for many other types of athletes including: recreational sports, performance-based fitness and particularly for a fitness competitor. Why? Because when you increase your cardio, you are racking up the mileage on your shoes, wearing them down with every training session. Not only do you now have to replace your shoes more often (on average it should be replaced every 5-6 months), but if you are doing two-a-days with double cardio, this might need to be more often!

Now when it comes time to buy a new shoe we often go for the best-looking shoe (I have even been guilty of this), our favorite brand, our favorite color or even worse a shoe that may simply may be on sale. Firstly, like any other product you pay for quality. I advise you not to cheap out when it comes to your cardio kicks. Buying a cheap shoe for cardio is like fueling your body with over-processed fast food instead of premium, organic whole food. It simply doesn’t run as efficiently as it should.
Did you know that shoes come with motion control? What is motion control? Firstly, let me tell you about what overpronation is. It is a common trait that affects most runners, leaving them at risk of knee pain and injury. Overpronation can lead to foot fatigue or accidents when left untreated. This biomechanical issue is usually experienced by flat-footed runners. Having motion control shoes will likely help you improve your running economy and performance while facilitating a stable and cushioned ride. Motion control shoes have stiffer heels than support-focused shoes for better pronation control or correction. Motion control shoes have premium cushioning technologies that provide a firmer midsole for better support, but are less flexibility. They also have Teutonic support features which help ease the stress in the quadriceps while running. This is very important for people who are quad dominant.

Overpronator’s need stability or motion control shoes. So, go ahead and look at the bottom wear of your shoe to see which one you may be. If you have a regular wear (heel to toe off) you are a neutral runner. If you have the wear of an overpronator (worn more on the outside of the sole) you most likely will need a shoe with motion control.

How can you tell if a shoe has motion control? You will usually see a darker part on the inside sole of the shoe. This is usually grey in color. In some shoes the grey can be approximately an inch, in others a few inches, and some can be half of the shoe. This means the motion control is mild, medium or maximum. If you slightly pronate you need mild, if you pronate moderately you need medium and if you overpornate severely you need maximum motion control.

What brands come with motion control? I’m sorry to break the bad news but most of the popular shoes like Adidas, Nike, Puma and Converse are all neutral shoes. If you are a pronator you may be doing yourself more harm than good by putting your feet into a neutral shoe. Brooks, New Balance, Asics, Mizuno and Sketchers all have motion control shoes.

If you don’t feel confident enough to go to a store or buy motion control shoes online my best advice is to either go to a Running Room or a New Balance store. Why? Because all employees at these two stores should be trained to assess your running gait and give you options of motion control shoes that will work for you. They will get you to try the shoes on in the store so that you can get a feel for the different shoes and feel the difference in your gait with them on before purchasing them.

Make sure to choose the right size and fit of a shoe once you’ve decided on a shoe. To enhance running performance and avoid injuries pay attention to correct sizing and fit. Make sure to have a roomy toe box and consider that type of socks you intend to wear when you purchase a new pair of motion control running shoe. If you are wearing a thicker or thinner sock than usual it will change the fit of the shoe once you get into your regular socks.

Trust me when I say that choosing the right shoe will change your cardio by making you a more efficient runner, decrease your aches and pains from your ankles to your knees and even in your back. It will also boost your training so that you can get the maximum results for your effort! Thank me later and happy running!

Adrian Peterson: I Can Qualify For The Olympics And

Beat Usain Bolt

“I feel like I can stand up to any challenge,” Peterson said. “I know a lot of people laugh and be like ‘come on, let’s be real with yourself.’ It’s Usain Bolt, but I feel like you can accomplish anything you put your mind to.”

Check it out! We love these videos from YouTube and adidas and re cameos! Thanks Adidas!