The cooldown exercise everyone loves to hate but knows they need to do! Foam rolling is so beneficial to aid in your recovery after a workout. Many people’s IT bands are very tight and I promise the pain is worth it in the end for the relief you’ll feel from the stretch. Foam rollers are an inexpensive purchase from retailers such as Walmart, Canadian Tire, SportChek, Winners, etc. Once you’ve got your foam roller at home, try this exercise out and remember to breathe. :)
START HERE (A):
Set yourself up as you would for side plank, and place the foam roller under your lower leg perpendicularly. Cross your top leg over and plant your foot for support. Lean on your lower forearm at 90 degrees, engage your core and lift your hips off the ground. Using your forearm and foot for balance, slowly roll from your hip towards your knee. Pause anytime you feel a sharp sensation and breathe into that spot until you feel a release. You can shift yourself to a slight forward or backward lean to access different spots around your leg. Take your time and listen to your body and it will tell you where you need to pause for a good stretch. Spend a few minutes on this side before carefully removing the roller and setting yourself up for the second side. Repeat!
Can’t keep yourself accountable to do this one on your own? Check out our instructors and find a class that suits your schedule, and we’ll walk you through it!