It is Workout Wednesday!
And yes, I just decided ‘Workout Wed’ is going to be a thing, and I’m pretty excited about it.
A few years ago I hurt my IT Band following the Disney World Marathon. My band was too tight and weak and caused major pain in my knee. I was benched for weeks and had to go to physical therapy and everything. You can read about my IT Band diagnosis and physical therapy visit here.
That injury taught me some very important lessons…
1. Rest is vital to recovery.
2. Stretch, just stretch Monican.
3. How to do IT Band strengthening exercises.
4. That I like to make lists.
So here are three IT Band exercises you can do at home or at the gym. All you need is a resistance band for one of the moves – the rest require no equipment.
Tip: Muscle imbalances can lead to injury so pay close attention to each side of your body. If you feel one side is a lot stronger than the other focus on equalizing those muscles.
Workout Wednesday – IT Band Exercises for Runners
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Question: What’s your workout this Wednesday?
Oh, man! I went through a similar thing easier this year and it taught me to be extremely vigilant about making sure I stretch, roll, and strengthen. It’s nice to hear that others have gone through the same. Not that I would wish injury on anyone, but you kind of feel alone in your injury sometimes, you know?
Thank you so much for sharing this! I recently hurt my IT Band and am going crazy. The only thing keeping me sane is that the gym near my apartment is pretty awesome and lots of spinning classes. But it’s still not the same. I’ll definitely try those exercises!!!
As some people have mentioned, it’s not your ITB that you are strengthening. The ITB is connected to the TFL muscle, it is not a muscle in itself. The problem with most people is actually overuse and tightness, so you don’t want to be “strengthening” it.
You strengthen your glutes (med, min and maximus all help), as well as core (again, the little muscles like your pelvic floor, etc, not your “abs”). These are the muscles that should be keeping your posture when you run, as these are all little muscles that stretch across one joint, and are better suited for stability. Big, long tissues like your ITB should not be doing all the work.
Yesterday (Wednesday) was a double workout day for me – leg strength training in the morning and a short run after work. It was good!
CrossFit—Fight Gone Bad—sounds brutal doesn’t it 🙂
It was….
A loving he inaugural “Workout Wednesday,” especially since it’s about the IT band (this is what sidelined me from running a marathonast year). These exercises will hopefully prevent me from getting sidelined this year – thanks so much! And yes, rest days are SO important!
Workout Wednesday…I like it! I went for a couple brief runs, but nothing big today. I’ll make a better effort next Wednesday. Maybe even go to a barre class?
love this!
Thanks for posting this! I’ve been dealing with an IT band injury for about 3 weeks. Its getting better though. I’m glad you posted these workouts! I’ll add them to what I’ve been doing.
Thanks for the IT Band tips! Mine started making itself known during a half in Oct and I’ve been looking for good exercises to strengthen my hips.
This Wednesday I am doing some stretching plus a 3 miler. My taper is this week and it’s kinda killing me!
Awesome tips and demo!!
I think Workout Wednesdays are a great idea!
I like this! Hello Workout Wednesday’s 🙂
I need to get out there and run 5 miles tonight. My heart wants to run 5 everyday but my legs and ankles are begging for a break.
Thanks for the reminder of why stretching is important! I always have a tough time “remembering,” could just be I’m a bit lazy 😉
I do Kosama 5 times a week. It is a full body workout and since I am doing this I really feel my running has improved. Lots of core and back workouts (+ tons of cardio and lower body workouts), but also a good amount of stretching. Today was TRX workout day and I am planning to go for a run after work.
THANK YOU so much for the IT Band video it was just what I was needing/looking for. My hip f lexer (right side) always bothers me once I start building my miles.
Hope you are enjoying your trip!
My workout this Wednesday is a 40 minute tempo run. I’ll be starting at 6.5 on the treadmill (it is COLD outside) and going up to 8.0, then back down.
I suppose you may be sleeping right now in China. OMG…you are in CHINA! Crazy…. Any who, I just got home from body pump and walking at my Y. (((And a week from now the fam will be in FLORIDA!!! Cannot.wait.til.then.)))
I’m heading on a run with friends later…I should probably include some stretching after 😉
such a good reminder! I always neglect stretching and strengthening!
the foam roller is my savior when it comes to IT band tightness. I only got mine a couple weeks ago and have no idea how I ever lived without out it
Thank you for this. I injured my IT band in 2012 and ever since then, it continues to ache after logging a lot of miles, or, when the temperature changes. Pretty lame!
I’ve been getting a funny pain in my hip and I am terrified it is IT issues. This post came at a perfect time! Thanks!
Lifting and abs for me tonight!
I LOVE that you posted this thank you so much!!
My IT band is always on the fritz after a long run, I definitely need to try these!
Awesome, I should definitely try these. I don’t stretch often enough! My workout Wednesday will be a 4 mile run at my office gym because it’s only 11 degrees as a high today in Chicago!
These are some of the same exercises that I do, but I do them to strengthen my gluteus medius and gluteus maximus muscles which helps with my Dead Butt Syndrome, (gluteus medius Tendinosis). They’re great exercises and they do work, my butt is slowly coming back to life.
Awesome tips! I have never hurt myself, however, this is a great reminder to take the time to care for yourself. Stretch, roll, rest, repeat!
You know when you see someone but you don’t hear them, you imagine what their voice sounds like… I was way off. Thanks for the tips.
Well normally Wednesday is a rest day but since I have to work tomorrow today Wednesday is Thursday at Sweat Out The Small Stuff =) An easy 3 miles dressed like nanuk of the north since it’s single digits.
This is a great reminder that I need to be doing this… It always seems to fall out of my routine. P.S…. How is that Boston Marathon treadmill?
You can’t strengthen your ITBand. It is non-contractile tissue.
Love this! I too have dealt with IT band issues – I am always looking for great new ideas!
I love the idea of Workout Wednesday! Squats and plank for me today, maybe some stretching too.