I'm going to mention my wonderful new toy/instrument of torture for dodgy gait, tight muscles and the like.
A wooden wobble board. I used to use one in Physio way back in the Dark Ages following a horrendous sprain/ligament/tendon buggerage and loved it. So I banged out about fifteen quid on one this week as it was payday.
It's really hard work, the tilt isn't enough to do any damage, but will stretch and/or challenge almost every muscle in your body. As the basic 'stand on it for five minutes' stops being a challenge, there's squats, standing on one leg and playing catch whilst stood on it. And some people use it for press ups and the like. I'm still doing my best not to fall off. And you can swap between doing it barefoot (strengthening the foot muscles in particular) and with trainers on (working more on the legs and backside).
IIRC, the Physio enthused about them because they help
Balance
Posture
Core strength
Proprioception
Tight muscles
Weak muscles
Non responsive/inactive muscles
Dodgy tendons and ligaments
Low impact
Functional strength
Cardiac fitness (not sure if that's due to physical exertion or just the duck I'M GOING TO FALL OFF response, though)
- whilst not contributing towards or exacerbating impact injuries/inflamed areas. Of which I have many.
I think that's everything. Except it's really , really fun - my physio sessions were shared with two huge bikers who had almost identical ankle injuries. We used to play Murderball for ten minutes each time - which is hurling bean bags, basketballs, tennis balls and anything else we could get our hands on at one another whilst all balancing.
Really, really hoping that the gyms open without a hitch, as I need to swim and do some weights as well. I only got as far as a purposeful circuit around the park before I had my vaccine at the weekend. The staff at the GP's looked pleasantly entertained that I turned up to my appointment in full kit - and the 'kind looking' smile I got from a proper runner as he lapped metwice was quite cheering.
I quite like the idea of a Park Walk/possibly trot for a bit but ultimately just get through it without taking all day or collapsing. That's OK on Parkrun, isn't it? I won't be pissing them off by keeping them waiting, will I?
A wooden wobble board. I used to use one in Physio way back in the Dark Ages following a horrendous sprain/ligament/tendon buggerage and loved it. So I banged out about fifteen quid on one this week as it was payday.
It's really hard work, the tilt isn't enough to do any damage, but will stretch and/or challenge almost every muscle in your body. As the basic 'stand on it for five minutes' stops being a challenge, there's squats, standing on one leg and playing catch whilst stood on it. And some people use it for press ups and the like. I'm still doing my best not to fall off. And you can swap between doing it barefoot (strengthening the foot muscles in particular) and with trainers on (working more on the legs and backside).
IIRC, the Physio enthused about them because they help
Balance
Posture
Core strength
Proprioception
Tight muscles
Weak muscles
Non responsive/inactive muscles
Dodgy tendons and ligaments
Low impact
Functional strength
Cardiac fitness (not sure if that's due to physical exertion or just the duck I'M GOING TO FALL OFF response, though)
- whilst not contributing towards or exacerbating impact injuries/inflamed areas. Of which I have many.
I think that's everything. Except it's really , really fun - my physio sessions were shared with two huge bikers who had almost identical ankle injuries. We used to play Murderball for ten minutes each time - which is hurling bean bags, basketballs, tennis balls and anything else we could get our hands on at one another whilst all balancing.
Really, really hoping that the gyms open without a hitch, as I need to swim and do some weights as well. I only got as far as a purposeful circuit around the park before I had my vaccine at the weekend. The staff at the GP's looked pleasantly entertained that I turned up to my appointment in full kit - and the 'kind looking' smile I got from a proper runner as he lapped me
I quite like the idea of a Park Walk/possibly trot for a bit but ultimately just get through it without taking all day or collapsing. That's OK on Parkrun, isn't it? I won't be pissing them off by keeping them waiting, will I?