Wylie Ball Physiotherapy

21/03/2026

Professional shots from last weekend’s Bath Half Marathon 📸🏃‍♂️

Now a week on, I’ve had time to reflect… and it’s given me a new-found love for running. Whilst I’ve always enjoyed it, last year I needed a goal to train towards. So, I signed up for the Bath Half. I never really saw it as something I’d want to seriously compete in at this stage, but it turns out there’s still plenty more to explore.

I hit my target of sub 1:35! And thanks to a bit of sibling rivalry, pushed it to 1:33:53 💥

What this race showed me is that even with a disrupted training block, you can still achieve what you set your mind to. Race day came down to determination, adrenaline, and having a clear goal when things got tough.

From a physio perspective, all the strength & conditioning work I’ve put in allowed my body to tolerate the forces and load placed on it during the race. That foundation made a huge difference.

On top of that, nutrition and hydration were key. Being properly fuelled beforehand, using gels, and taking on water at every station is what kept me going and able to hold my target pace throughout.

Now… what’s next? 👀
The hunt for more half marathons is on. A sub-90 has to be firmly in sight. But first up: ATW Bristol Triathlon and Weymouth 70.3 Half Ironman over the next 6 months.

More in the tank 💭

04/03/2026

Happy Hump Day!

15/16 weeks of prep and we’re into the final touches for the Bath Half Marathon 🏃‍♂️

It hasn’t been a perfectly smooth block, a few speed bumps and derailings along the way (because what athlete doesn't run into injuries during a training cycle?). But one thing that’s stayed consistent: the strength work and the determination to build real capacity.

Today’s session:
🏋️‍♂️ Barbell lunges
🦵 Single-leg squats to bench
💪 Accessory strength pieces
⚡ Reactive speed work to finish

The goal has been simple: build the ability to load tissues under higher intensity and stress, and trust that it pays dividends on race day.

Now… we wait and see what race day brings. 👊

Credit to .rowland for camera operations 🙌

03/03/2026

Movement matters.

Your body was built to move, not to be stuck in one position all day. If you spend most of your working day sitting at a desk or standing still, this is your reminder 👇

That ache in your lower back during a long meeting? That stiffness when you’re standing doing the dishes? That’s not your body “failing.” That’s your body asking for movement.

There is no such thing as a perfect posture. The best posture is the next one 🏃‍♂️‍➡️

Your spine loves variety. It loves to bend, rotate, extend and flex. When you stay locked in one position for too long, tissues get tired. Movement is the reset button.

Try adding these between meetings or clients:
• 5–10 lumbar roll downs
• 5-10 gentle forward folds
• 5-10 back extensions
• 5-10 lateral flexion and reach

Or, if you have enough time to get some fresh air, walk around the block for 5-10 minutes!

Small movements. Big difference.
Don’t wait for pain to force you to move. Build it into your day.

Move often. Move well. Your body will thank you.

26/02/2026

As a physiotherapist, if I’m short on time but want maximum carryover to running mechanics, these are my top 3 favourite strength picks:

• Bulgarian split squats
• B-stance RDLs
• Single leg deficit calf raises

All unilateral. All loading the way you run 🏃‍♂️

They challenge stability, posterior chain strength, and calf capacity in positions that closely reflect stance phase mechanics.

Of course there are plenty of other great exercises for runners. But, if we’re talking high-value, isotonic strength work with limited time… this is where I’d start.

Strong legs. Efficient stride. Lesser injuries.

18/02/2026

Are you cross-training? 🚴‍♂️🏊🏋️‍♂️

As a physio, I spend a lot of time helping people rehab injuries… but even we get injured sometimes. And when it happens, it’s always a humbling reminder.

When training for an event, whether it’s a run, race, or something else, your body needs exposure to different types of movement and loading, not just repetition of the same activity.

Cross-training builds strength, resilience, and adaptability so your body can cope with the demands you place on it. It helps reduce overload on the same tissues and supports better long-term performance, whilst maintaining aerobic capacity.

A lesson I keep relearning myself: train for your event, but also train your body to handle life and movement in all its forms.

29/01/2026

Rest Smart. Move Smarter.

Injury comes for all of us at some point along the road.
The question isn’t if… it’s how do we respond?

Right now, running is on pause for me — temporarily. That doesn’t mean doing nothing. It means relative rest: keeping the body moving in ways that are tolerable, while gradually rebuilding load through graded exposure.

This was just a simple 20-minute movement cycle. Nothing fancy. Finding time to move is part of the rehab. Saying I don’t have time doesn’t move the needle.

Respect the injury. Keep moving. Build back smarter.

26/01/2026

Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction & Running

SIJ dysfunction isn’t just about stiffness or pain — research shows it can delay the activation of key hip and trunk muscles, reducing lumbopelvic stability and disrupting how load transfers through the pelvis during movement (Pfeiffer et al. 2022)

Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve been dealing with SIJ-related symptoms myself, likely due to increased running impact and not enough targeted pelvic and hip strength and mobility work to counterbalance it.

The exercises in this reel focus on improving mobility where I’m tight, while also controlling movement through full ranges. This control is essential for improving pelvic and hip stability and supporting running mechanics.

From a rehab perspective, the aim is to improve core and pelvic stabilisation, address muscular imbalances, and retrain posture and movement patterns. This is very much a starting point, working within pain limits — with progressions later needing to include impact-based exercises to meet the demands of running.

If this sounds familiar, give some of these a try. As always, I’d recommend seeing a healthcare professional in person for appropriate assessment, diagnosis, and management.

22/01/2026

Physio's Need Physio 💥

Half marathon and marathon training isn’t just about adding more kilometres. As your running load increases week on week, your body needs more support to keep up.

I’ll admit it — even as a physio, I’ve let my strength and mobility work slide a bit… and the ni**les have started to show. A good reminder that we don’t always practice what we preach.

If you’re midway through your training plan and starting to feel those small aches and pains, it might be time to check in on your strength and mobility — not just your running.

👉 Keep an eye out for the next post where I’ll share some simple pelvic and hip mobility exercises to help support your running.

21/01/2026

Running smarter means working together 🤝

Wylie Ball Physiotherapy x Kinisi Run Hub.
A partnership bringing together running expertise and physiotherapy support — helping runners train, recover, and perform at their best.

Plus, our customers and patients can now access exclusive cross-business discounts, with events and collaborations coming soon.

09/12/2025

🎄 Last appointments before Christmas! 🎄

Still dealing with that ache or ni**le? Don’t put it off until the new year. There’s still time to feel your best heading into 2026 💪✨

I’ve got limited availability over the next couple of weeks, plus you can enjoy 20% OFF your first physiotherapy appointment while the offer lasts.

📅 Book now and use code WBPHYSIO20 before it’s gone!

Book using the link in the bio.

28/11/2025

Great evening last night at 🙌

I'm proud to announce that Wylie Ball Physiotherapy has officially partnered with the team here!

Yesterday evening I spent a couple of hours offering 15-minute Discovery Clinics for members and staff, supporting anyone dealing (or not dealing!) with musculoskeletal aches and pains.

I’ll be in the gym more regularly over the coming weeks and months, so keep an eye out if you’d like some guidance, reassurance or direction with your rehab, mobility or recovery.

As part of the partnership, all Snap Fitness Ashton members benefit from 20% off physiotherapy and sports massage services.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by last night, I'm looking forward to supporting more of you soon 💪✨

14/11/2025