Pilates Benefits Runners

Pilates (pronounced puh-LAH-teez) is a form of exercise developed by a man named Joseph Pilates.  It consists of over 500 various moves that can be performed on a mat or on equipment specifically designed for Pilates.  There are two main objectives with Pilates:

1. To become acutely aware of how your body feels, its immediate locale in space and how to control its movements.
2. To strengthen the core muscles: the traverse abdominals (the deepest layer of the abdominal muscles), lower back, buttock, hip and muscles of the pelvic floor.

Without strong core muscles, your overall performance will suffer, and no one is more keenly aware of this than runners whose balance, technique and stability dictate if and when they will get injured.  Specific Pilates equipment such as the Stability Ball and Cadillac improve the body’s alignment, thus strengthening the muscles of the back, pelvic floor and hips. 

Pilates can help eradicate the following problems for runners.

• Week inner thighs
• Twisting or dropping hips
• Tight calf muscles
• Tight hamstring muscles
• Tight hips
• Tight IT (iliotibial) band
• Excess movement of lower back
• Feet or knees rolling inward

Pilates retrains the body how to more efficiently use its muscles, thus conserving valuable energy.  In addition, by integrating a regular routine of Pilates into your training regiment (2-3 times per week) you will increase flexibility and gain better oxygenation through its full exhalations.  This will increase blood flow to joints and muscles, thus enhancing their performance.

Pilates augments strength and flexibility without adding bulky muscles, which are more prone to injury.  Increasing flexibility speeds recovery times from strains or other injuries.  Targeted areas of Pilates workouts are: the pelvic floor, abdominals, buttocks, supporting muscles of the shoulder girdle and rotator cuffs.  Working off the theory of a balanced physique, Pilates also increases the flexibility of the larger muscles groups.   

Pilates can make a world of difference in the way your body performs by creating:

• Greater strength and muscle tone
• Longer leaner muscles
• Improved performance during physical activities
• Better posture
• Lesser incidents of injury and back pain
• Improved balance, coordination and circulation
• Balanced strength and flexibility
• Heightened body awareness
• Increased joint mobility
• More efficient respiratory and circulatory systems
• Flatter stomach and cinched-in waist
• Less stress and tension
• Increased concentration and mental focus

With so many benefits to gain and nothing to lose, why wait to take advantage of the advantages Pilates can provide for you?