Keeping knees strong and healthy is an important component of staying active. At Hilliard Studio Method, we are aware of how important that is, and you may not realize that during thigh work you are also strengthening the muscles around your knees. A recent study published in the BMJ (British Medical Journal) compared two different methods of recovery for a specific type knee injury: surgery and supervised exercise therapy. Surprisingly, it was found that the results of the two therapies were similar, meaning that those who had surgery experienced similar results as those who solely had exercise therapy. Even more, it was found that those who went through exercise therapy had greater muscle strength than those who went through surgery. Knee injuries can be serious and should be checked by a physician, but once you are cleared for physical activity, our low-impact method can help strengthen the muscles around your knees to continue to heal and prevent further injuries.

Hilliard Studio Method, as intense at it may be, is a low impact workout, meaning your joints aren’t constantly being jarred as happens in running and sports. The thigh work we do at the ballet barre not only strengthens the quadriceps and hamstrings, but also the smaller supporting muscles around the knee. In proper alignment, which is the key to working safely and efficiently, old knee injuries can heal as the muscles supporting the knee joint are strengthened. The thigh exercises we perform in class not only strengthen the joints and tone the muscles through contraction, but they also work the muscles through length and extension. This ensures that we are stretching the backs of the legs that tend to be so tight and the hip flexors and quadriceps on the front of the thighs, leaving our muscles happy, toned, supple and less likely to be injured down the road. And as an added bonus, your gams are going to look super shapely!