Conditioning for beginners

Julybreeze

Hello all, my physiotherapist has recommended that I do some conditioning in order to improve my 'form'. I'll fire down a brief timeline to give an idea of where I'm at:

Aug 2011: Tib/fib fracture (L)- surgically repaired.

Sept 2011-March 2012: regular physio plus gym work

Summer 2012: gym started to fizzle out, main exercise 4-5k cross country walk x 5 per week.

Sept/Oct 2012: Back to college, on placement, 12 hour days on feet, back to physio, knee pain (L). Physio commented on flat feet, hyperflexion through knees, weak glutes (L). Exercises and stretches given for glutes and knee.

Nov 2012: Finished placement, knee improved but back to physio due to hip (L) LBP, biomechanical nature, stretches and exercises given. Improvement in a couple of weeks but not 100%

Jan 2013: back to physio, hip pain (R), diagnosed as sprain, rest prescribed. Back on placement, bi-lateral knee pain. Orthotics suggested. Bloods done, crp negative.

Feb 2013: Got casted for orthotics, saw different physio in same clinic, agrees with other phsyio re biomechanical issues but also feels cardio needs to be upped and muscle in left leg are still not back to form so advised gym x 3 per week using bike/cross-trainer/rower plus lower body weights and upper if I wish.

I am comfortable with the whole cardio side of things, it is the idea of conditioning that is new to me so any pointers on that would be greatly appreciated.

Female/22/5ft 3'/136lbs

Hanley

Conditioning to improve form makes no sense in the "traditional" sense.

"conditioning" is generally referred to as weight/cardio circuits done for a CV/fitness benefit - so you're training while fatigued, which is not good for form or technique acquisition.

Perhaps something is getting lost in translation?

Julybreeze

The possibility of something being lost in translation is very possible, there were lots of words flying around and I think my subsequent googling may have further confused matters.

So if I'm not on form I should get on form before I start conditioning?

Birdster

Julybreeze hope you don't mind me asking but where did you get your cast for orthotics. Was it in Dublin? How much are they? You can PM me if you like. I'm trying to find a good physio to get a new pair of orthotics you see. Or actually was it a podiatrist you saw? Thanks

Ryder

Julybreeze wrote: »

The possibility of something being lost in translation is very possible, there were lots of words flying around and I think my subsequent googling may have further confused matters.

So if I'm not on form I should get on form before I start conditioning?

think a lot of "uneducated" people (me) understand conditioning to be an encompassing term for overall fitness...ie core work, upper body and lower body exercises. It may be as simple as getting someone to make out a balanced plan for you. If she had specific exercises in mind, I'm sure she would have specified them, but perhaps best to clarify with your physio first