Why do I keep getting shin splits?

Whenever I try to exercise I get shin splits so then I stop until the pain goes away, when my shin's have healed I start exercising again and the shin splits come back!! :raging: Am I trying to do too much at once?? 45 minute cardio session 3 times a week, when I've been idle for the last 3 years and not exercised. Too much too soon??

I get the shin splits after the first session, I can't even do exercise 3 times a week :\

I have noticed when I run, I can feel a pressure on my shins, and the pain comes there eventually where the pressure is.

having battled with this throughout most of my jogging "career", i recommend you give up because you will probably not win against it no matter what you try.

source: i used to jog alot 3 years ago

if you get pain when you exercise, then stop doing it and talk to a fitness expert or doctor, as you can cause yourself muscle injury and that is something you won't want to do since it can have lifelong effects.

a fitness expert can give you a moderate light exercise that you can do once your leg is healed.

45 min cardio exercise after not being active for several years, is a rather big jump. Change the exercise regiment, if you are doing high impact cardio then use a different type. A basic treadmill is good and you can just do a fast walk instead of jogging. Start with 20 min sessions 3 times a week. increase by 5-10 mins in a couple of weeks. Check your shoes too, if they aren't supporting your foot properly that can be causing stress to your shins.

When I was younger i used to get these especially walking up hill. I rarely get them now. but when I return to exercising I started with short sessions. Now I do 2-3 20min to half hour sessions per day...usually 6 times a week (though I always have at least one walk every day unless feeling especialy tired a given day). I am not as consistant with this lately due to weather making it too hard for me to work out that long without overheating...but I try.

Why not start with a low-impact exercise like biking? Or you can hit the gym and get on an elliptical.

what is a shin split? ^o)

What's your footwear?

I had the same problem but I'm sure that was due to a very flat pair of adidas that I was using. Upgraded to asics and gradually the pain went away. Expensive but worth it.

I had really really painful shinsplints myself.


I used a bandage and kept pressure on the area it hurt a lot, and now Im far better.


For some reason when I sit indian style i get a bit of pain on my knees tho...


possibly due to footy tho

Alpha Dude said:

What's your footwear?

I had the same problem but I'm sure that was due to a very flat pair of adidas that I was using. Upgraded to asics and gradually the pain went away. Expensive but worth it.

Click to expand...

Just average Adidas trainers, I can feel the ground though and I hate that :hmm: I'll try get the trainers you got, thanks jazakAllah khair.

What you think of these, http://www.sportsdirect.com/asics-gel-1160-mens-running-trainers-212072

Yeah, that's got to be the cause. Adidas aren't good for running.

Compared to the Asics, if I try to wear my old pair of Adidas now it feels like I am barefoot.

Salahudeen said:

Just average Adidas trainers, I can feel the ground though and I hate that :hmm: I'll try get the trainers you got, thanks jazakAllah khair.

What you think of these, http://www.sportsdirect.com/asics-gel-1160-mens-running-trainers-212072

Click to expand...

Not sure if it's a good idea to get them online without trying them first. Perhaps go into a shop and try the different varieties and see which is most comfortable then go home look online for a cheaper price of what you found in store?

These are the ones I got. There was a more comfortable pair in the store but they were more expensive.

Hmm right if you get discomfort when you work out, then quit doing it and discuss to a trainer or physician, as you can cause yourself muscular damage and that is something you won't want to do since it can have long term results.