Huntleigh, MO

Huntleigh, MO

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Beginner Running Program in Huntleigh, MO

Beginner running program in Huntleigh, MO. The benefits of running are any: it can boost your mood, help you lose weight, reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease, and just about anybody can do it, just about anywhere. But, if you’re contemplating a beginner running program in Huntleigh, MO, you may not know how to get started, and if you’re healthy enough to hold up to more physical activity than your body’s accustomed to. Experienced physical therapists like the ones we have here at Axes know how to help people increase their physical activity safely and effectively. Whether you want to return to form after a sports or work-related injury or are just trying to get healthier, our team can show you how to run safely, understand if you’re healthy enough to begin a running program, and treat any running-related injuries you may sustain.

Keep reading this article to see our our advise to beginner runners, contact us through our website, or call the Axes location nearest you to speak to a physical therapist today.

Beginner Running Program Huntleigh, MO | Injury Prevention | Physical Therapy Near Huntleigh

6 Benefits of Starting a Beginner Running Program

Running offers many physical and mental health benefits, including:

  1. Weight loss — The average person burns about 80 to 140 calories for every mile run, making running one of the more effective weight losing exercises.
  2. Improved cardiovascular health — Running improves heart and lung function and reduces heart disease risk factors like hypertension and cholesterol.
  3. Increased physical strength and endurance — Running helps to strengthen the muscles in the legs, core, and back, helping to improve overall fitness and endurance.
  4. Improved mental health — Running has been shown to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression by releasing endorphins and serotonin, the brain’s natural feel-good hormones.
  5. Increased longevity — Regular running has been linked to a longer lifespan. People who run live an average of three years longer than those who don’t.
  6. Accessibility — Running is an easy and budget-friendly way to get consistent exercise that doesn’t require equipment or a special field or court. It can be done by people of most ages and fitness levels, and your regimen can be adapted to your current health and physical abilities.

While you may feel the proverbial “runner’s high” right away, in order to get the full rewards of starting a beginners running program in Huntleigh, MO, you’ll need to do it consistently, and do it the right way.

6 Beginner Running Tips in Huntleigh, MO

Getting from the couch to the track may be difficult for some Huntleigh, MO residents, but to get started, all you need to do is put a pair of shoes on. A beginner running program isn’t about competition with others; it’s about determination, constant improvement, and being healthy. Below are the top 6 beginner running tips to make sure you start your program safely, and stay motivated to continue it.

  1. Be realistic and progress gradually — You’re probably excited to start your running program, and may have dreams of one day running that 4-minute mile. But if you’re body isn’t used to it, or you’re just getting back to activity after an injury, doing too much too soon could lead to injury, and trying to do something you can’t may make you want to stop altogether. Begin your program by running slowly, and slowly the distance you run as you go.

    If your body isn’t used to strenuous exercise, may be a good idea to start by walking briskly for half an hour and progress to running later. Another option is to switch between running and walking in 2-minute intervals.

  2. Get the right footwear — While shoes are the only “equipment” you need for running, it’s important to get the right ones. There are many advantages to buying good running shoes, including increased comfort, better performance, and injury prevention.
  3. Warm up and cool down Even Olympic athletes need to warm up before any physical activity. Stretching and exercises like high knees that improve range of motion will help prepare your body for the stress of running. Static stretches after a run, as well as rest, help reduce the risk of injuries and improve your recovery.
  4. Complement your running program with strength and cross training — Muscle imbalances affect how forces go through our joints, and can cause injury or soreness. Having hip and glute muscles can help ease the stress that running puts on the body. You also need to improve and maintain flexibility in your lower body and core.
  5. Make sure you’re well-hydrated and maintain a healthy diet — When we sweat, our bodies lose fluid. Adequate hydration increases recovery and performance, and minimizes negative side-effects.

    Running also uses up a lot of fuel. A healthy diet is necessary to get that fuel back. Having good nutrition will also enhance certain running benefits, such as weight loss and improved mental health.

  6. If you’re not feeling great, slow down or take a day off — Listen to your body after each run. While it’s important to make running a habit, you can injure yourself if you over-exert yourself. A little soreness should be expected. But, if you’re having significant pain, you should hold off on running until you heal. If the pain doesn’t subside or progressively worsens, seek out an appointment with your physician, or call Axes Physical Therapy for a free injury screening.

In a sense, running will always be hard, as the more you improve the more you’ll have to run to reach your limits. But the more you do it the more you’ll be motivated to continue doing it.

How a Physical Therapist in Huntleigh, MO Can Help Your Beginner Running Program

Our Huntleigh, MO physical therapists can help with recovering from injuries and other musculoskeletal problems such as easing chronic pain. But a licensed physical therapist can also be part of a wellness regimen aimed at improving your overall health. With exercises and techniques proven to work through study and research, an Axes physical therapist in Huntleigh, MO can help your beginner running program with:

  • Assessing your current fitness level — A physical therapist in Huntleigh, MO can help determine what your current health level is, and develop a beginner running program that is safe for you.
  • Design a customized exercise program — We can help you come up with a beginner running program based on your specific fitness level. We can also develop a cross training program. A physical therapist can also help you overcome plateaus, and progress to more strenuous running programs such as inclines or fartlek training.
  • Teaching proper running techniques — Proper technique is essential to running safely and getting the most out of your running program. We’ll show you correct running form, and we can perform motion video analysis to clearly see any imperfections in your form.

    We can also show you the best warm-up and cool-down exercises and stretches to do.

  • Injury prevention The best injury is the one that never happens. We’ll help you optimize your wellness through a customized program that improves strength, range of motion, endurance, and technique while running or performing other exercises.
  • Addressing injuries if they occur — If you do sustain an injury, a physical therapist can help you return to running and other things you love doing most quickly and safely. If you’re experiencing significant soreness, a physical therapist can reduce swelling and pain in your legs, buttocks, and back.

Whether want to get into shape for the first time in a while, or become active again after an injury or surgery, the Huntleigh, MO physical therapists at Axes are here to help guide you through your beginner running program with safe exercises and techniques that have been proven to be effective.

Our Huntleigh, MO physical therapists can also help you with:

Beginner Running Tips Huntleigh, MO | Beginner Running Running | Physical Therapists Near Huntleigh

Call Axes For Help With Your Beginner Running Program in Huntleigh, MO

Starting a beginner running program in Huntleigh, MO does wonders for both your body and mind. However, many people aren’t sure how to begin, or are unsure if their body can hold up to it. Professional physical therapists like those at Axes can help by developing a holistic fitness plan that will ensure you can get the benefits of running safely. If you want to start a beginner running program in Huntleigh, MO, contact us through our website, or call the Axes location nearest you.

Services Offered

Services Offered
  • Physical Therapy
  • Pre/Post Surgical Rehabilitation
  • Acute Injury Management
  • Chronic Injury Management
  • Work Conditioning/Hardening
  • Functional Capacity Evaluations
  • Certified Hand Therapy
  • Sports Physical Therapy
  • Pediatric Orthopedic Physical Therapy
  • Geriatric Physical Therapy
  • Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization
  • Vestibular Therapy and Post-Concussion Rehabilitation
  • Trigger Point Dry Needling
  • Free Injury Screenings
  • Kinesio Taping®
  • Blood Flow Restriction Therapy

Our Team

Antoinette Ghoston
Front Office
John Teepe
Partner, MPT
Jennifer Szydlowski
Clinic Director, PT, CMPT

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