Pilates For Runners

Running is a repetitive activity.

This means that every time you run you will be overusing some of your muscles, while others will be underused. Unfortunately, this overuse can cause muscular imbalances, which in turn can cause injury.

The repetitive nature of running causes your body to endure constant impact every time your feet hit the ground. The force of each stride travels up through your legs to the lower back and rib cage. If you have any weakness along the route of impact, this is where a problem can occur. So, you need to make those vulnerable areas stronger and better to deal with the stress of running.

Pilates is a great movement to support your body before during and after a run. Pilates focuses primarily on strengthening your core, thereby increasing your stability. More stability is essential for good running technique and to help avoid injury.

Pilates will help to:

• Improve Mobility - runners are particularly prone to tight hip flexors, ankle joints and hamstrings, with these muscles constantly shortening during running. Pilates will assist with muscle lengthening to improve joint mobility and flexibility.

• Improve Core Strength - not only promotes a more upright and better running posture but supports the stabilising muscles around the hips that take a lot of the force as you run.

• Injury Prevention/Management - Pilates helps to identify and correct imbalances that can make you more susceptible to injury. These can also help you to run faster too! So thereby improving your running performance as well.

• Promote Recovery - Pilates exercises are low impact and promote blood flow, helping to counteract tightening and muscles soreness after a long run.