Thursday, January 30, 2014

Live & Learn -- Lazy Ass

I had something else all lined up to post about today, but then this came up and I knew I had to address it immediately...

You guys... I think I'm suffering from Lazy Ass Syndrome!

I promise, it's not what you think...

I mean duh... of course we've all been guilty of being a "lazy ass" at some point in our lives. Because sometimes you just need a day (or a week) of lying on the couch watching reality TV and eating take out. It's good for the soul, I think.

But when I was at Breakfast Club with Heather and Lindsee this week and learned that this is an actual, physical condition, I was totally surprised and amused! Anyway, here's what we're talking about...

Have You Got Lazy Glutes?

"The Glute muscles consist of the Gluteus Maximus, Medius and Minimus. Each one has a different role and collectively they are responsible for the extension, flexion, abduction and rotation of your hips as well as helping to stabilize the hips. They are a powerhouse of muscle responsible for speed and acceleration."

If you sit down a lot during the day (hello, desk jobbers!) your glutes are not able to engage properly and you will have tight hamstrings and hip flexors. So when you go out for a run at the end of the day, your glutes are affectively asleep and the opposing muscles are restricted.

What Does This Mean?

Your hamstrings, quads and hip flexors take the load and become fatigued, leading to injuries.
You have no power, speed and acceleration in your run.
It can cause issues all the way down the kinetic chain from your back to your feet, including hip issues, Runners Knee (PFS), sore ITB, calf and Achilles injuries and back pain.

But your butt will feel fabulous, because it's not doing any of the work!

How To Get Your Ass In Gear!

Focus on engaging them when you run and run uphill.
Perform static or forward lunges and deep squats, just before you run and in between training sessions.
Perform hip extension exercises (lying face down on the floor) and side lying leg lifts.
Think about your Glutes, tensing and releasing them – and focus on using them when you get out of a chair. Use them to push off while walking, and exaggerated backward walking.
Strengthening exercises and stretching are also key.

So there you have it: Lazy Ass Syndrome... not just for Couch Potatoes.

Live & Learn!
All information in this post was drawn from Hedge End Running Club.
 
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13 comments:

  1. That's hilarious. I have never heard of this before!! I better keep moving! Ha

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  2. I definitely have lazy ass syndrome. But the kind you were first talking about... not the actual physical condition. haah :)

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  3. I've never heard of this! I'm a desk jobber so I will have to take this into consideration when I run at night. Thanks!

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  4. After sitting on my the couch from 8AM to 1AM yesterday.. only getting up to go to the bathroom, walk outside and look around for about 5-10 minutes at a time, run up to the store for bottled water (approx 20 minutes), and stand up because my ass was asleep.. I'm pretty sure I have this. No more snow days for this girl.. I must be active. Seriously though, I think I have glute minimus or whatever because of my flat ass-- I need a plastic surgeon to take my excess stomach skin and implant it into my buttocks! Oh and for someone else to pay for the procedure.

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  5. I sit at my desk ALL day, ugh! But I do try to get up and walk a lap or two when I get the chance!

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  6. ok this is me, eek! need to get off this comouter and get in gear!

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  7. I never heard of this but it explains so much.
    I sit at a desk all day and try to get up whenever I can.

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  8. Haha. Wow! I kinda love that this is a real thing... Even if it's a crappy thing to have. ;-)

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  9. hehe lazy ass syndrome too funny. I love watching those classic 80's movies and I think Heathers is my all time favorite!

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  10. Wow. That's so literal. :) Interesting info!

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  11. considering I sit at a desk all day preeeetty sure I have this haha

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  12. I think I must have this too...! It explains a lot!

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