Shin Splint

[Spiegelo]

I've had shin splints for as long as I can remember. The key is the less padding between your feet and the surface the worse it is for your shin splints. Or conversely, the more padding the better.

For skipping/jump-rope, use a padded area if your gym has any. Mine does and I never feel my shins acting up. If you are wearing boxing shoes wear tennis shoes.

For running, run on the softest surface possible. If you live near a beach, lake, or washes, run on the sand. If not, grass or dirt. Also, something I think is slept on, is running in the street not on the sidewalk. The cement is way harder on sidewalks.

Something that applies to running generally is your running shoes. A lot of people think shoes last way longer than they do. For most people old shoes are probably not a problem, but if you have shin splints, it is not. Once your shoes are shot you are going to have problems.

Also, what other people have said, get your cardio elsewhere, or at least mix it up. Ride the bike, swim, jumping jacks, whatever.



Hope that helps.

Helps a lot actually, I forgot about running in the street. It's hard to do so when you live in NY, but I'll find a way. And the ring at my gym has a very soft floor, I usually get impatient and jump rope anywhere when there's people in the ring, but I think I'll wait for the opening now. Also, I've upped the elliptical routine now and it already feels better. I swear, I need one of them bad boys for my room. Green K for all you fools.

[Neill Ryan]

I had the same problem - they're really common.

The best thing you can do is to buy yourself some proper running trainers - Asics or New Balance are leading the way in hi-tech designs that will REALLY help your shins.

The other thing you need to do is to stretch you calf muscles for a good 10 minutes before training using prolonged stretches, this will help a lot. And like the other chap said, try to skip and run on softer surfaces - more padding will help but padding alone is no good without the proper support that good running trainers will give you. (by the way i don't work for asics or new balance - LOL - but once you get some you won't go back).

Good luck

Neill Ryan

[Marvin6591]

stretching before exercising tears the muscles so dont do this.... jog a mile or jump rope to warm up before stretching