At Beacon PT we always try to practice what we preach, not only to be good role models to our patients, but also because we know that movement is good for our mental and physical wellbeing and it helps us to do the things we love to do outside of the clinic.

This week we spotlight one of our physical therapists Hannah Carey who is also our pelvic floor specialist!

Name: Hannah Carey 

What are your favorite recreational activities, and why? 

My favorite activities include trail running, mountain biking, hiking, rock climbing, skiing, yoga – basically anything that involves being outdoors and active.

What are your two favorite exercises (or forms of exercise) that you do right now? 

At the moment, trail running is the recreational activity I am doing the most. It allows me to get out into the amazing trails the Bay Area has to offer and clear my head. As a PT, I know there are important things to do in order to maintain my running health. Here are 2 that I am doing at the moment:

1. Single leg RDL
2. Some variation of step ups or step downs

Why do you like each one? 

What I love about each of these is they require strengthening while balancing on one leg at a time. Did you know that with walking we spend roughly 15-20% of the time with both legs supporting us but while running only one leg supports us the entire time making it even more important to train single leg stability and strength.

How have you noticed these activities improve your performance? 

There are many tripping hazards with trail running these exercises make me feel more steady and confident on my feet.

What keeps you motivated to keep doing this exercise?

Reminding myself that these types of exercises keep me confident while I am doing the things I love keeps me motivated. The step ups and step downs especially help with the ascending and descending hills that come with trail running.

How do you keep yourself accountable to do this exercise? 

There are certainly days or weeks where I am feeling low motivation to get to exercise but I always remind myself how I feel afterward. On days where I am extra unmotivated, I try to keep things simple. Even if I move my body somehow or exercise just for 10 minutes, I always feel better.

Tell us about an exercise that you don’t love to do, but still do because you know it’s beneficial for you? 

FOAM ROLLING. I always feel great after I do it but often have a hard time motivating myself to do it. I’ve started doing it while watching my mindless television shows which has helped to make it feel less of a chore.