Why more and more runners are including Sport Pilates into their Routine.
A lot of runners and triathletes have heard about Pilates but might be unsure why they would need to do it. In this article, we discuss with Dr. Eoin Everard of www.everardpilates.comand Over 35 3000m World Champion, four of the key reasons why more and more runners are adding Sport Pilates to their routine.
First, what is Sports Pilates and how is it different to normal Pilates.
Not all Pilates is the same, and Sports Pilates is specifically designed for runners. Dr. Eoin Everard explains the key differences for his classes. “While I am a physio and Pilates instructor, I have also been lucky to be an international athlete for over 20 years. My running experience and professional background in human movement and physiotherapy has helped me design Pilates classes that focus on the different areas needed for Runners. There are key areas that tend to get injured with runners and these need specific exercises that can be overlooked with traditional Pilates. We get on our feet much more than traditional Pilate and each week of the 8-week Sports Pilates course has a different focus, allowing runners to build overall strength and functionality.
Incorporating Sport Pilates into a runner’s routine offers numerous benefits with four of the key ones outlined here:
- Reduce Injury Risk
Consistency in training is massive. Keeping your body healthy so that you can consistently train is the key to improving your times. Sports Pilates works the key muscles of the body that tend to become weak and lazy. By strengthening these muscles, we essentially “wake them up”. Now when running, the muscles can help take the force when we land, which helps take pressure off the tendons, ligaments, and joints of the body. Additionally, Sports Pilates increases mobility and flexibility, reducing the risk of injuries caused by tightness and limited range of motion.
- Improve Running Economy
Running economy is how efficiently you can run at a given intensity. Sports Pilates exercises improve running economy by addressing weaknesses and imbalances that can leak energy and hinder performance. By strengthening the core and improving hip strength, runners can maintain optimal posture and generate forward momentum more effectively. Mobility exercises in Sports Pilates also ensure smooth and efficient joint movement, reducing energy expenditure. By enhancing running economy through Sport Pilates, runners can maximize their performance potential.
- Greater Overall Health
Running alone may not necessarily improve overall health as it primarily focuses on cardiovascular fitness. However, Sports Pilates complements running by working on joint mobility, muscular strength, and overall movement quality. The exercises in Sport Pilates counteract the negative effects of running, such as joint stiffness and muscle tightness. By incorporating Sport Pilates into their routine, runners can enhance their cardiovascular fitness while also improving their muscular strength and joint mobility, leading to greater overall health and well-being.
- Accountability and Consistency
Many runners struggle to consistently incorporate cross-training activities like Pilates into their routine. Having a support system and accountability can make a significant difference. Sports Pilates classes provide a structured environment with regular check-ins, ensuring runners stay on track with their Pilates practice. The group setting and regular accountability help establish the habit of doing Pilates exercises, ensuring runners get the benefits of cross-training alongside their running.
- Free Trial
Dr. Eoin Everard offers a free trial with a host of extras so if you are a runner or Triathalon runner on the fence about Pilates and trying to stay injury free then head to https://everardpilates.com to get your free trial. What do you have to lose!
