My chronic running injuries include tight ITB (Iliotibial band) and tight hamstrings. Naturally, I have other injuries at other times, but I almost always have some version of the above. Both of these injuries are in focus areas for Pure Barre classes and require some slight modifications during class to avoid further injury.
First make sure your injury doesn’t require medical attention. Next, I recommend talking to your instructor before class begins. This way they can give you modifications throughout the class. Most importantly stop if an exercise is hurting!!
Hamstring injury modifications
- Drop the ball from behind your knee
- Use the bands
- During seat work instead of flexing your foot keep it relaxed to help relieve tension
- The closer your heel or foot works to your hamstring the more work in your hamstring, so during seat work work with your leg closer to the ground
ITB modifications
- Keep your knee on the ground when doing seated exercises
- Lower your leg
Regardless of the modification, Pure Barre is always a great workout. I’m thankful that I found this great form of cross-training!
