Pilates for Runners – Why Every Runner Needs It!

Pilates is nearly 100 years old, endorsed by physical therapists, used by pro athletes and one the most popular workouts worldwide, so you know it works! I’ve been teaching it for 40 years and I can attest to it’s amazing benefits not just for my body but also for my life! I stand taller, sit without slouching, and I feel so light and alive!

Why it works is a real lesson in what kind of exercise is best for the human body. This short article is focused on the benefits of Pilates for runners, but it’s also a fascinating peek at why Pilates is so unique and beneficial for anyone!

Take a look and discover why!

 

It’s no secret that I have fallen madly in love with Pilates on the Megaformer. After dealing with a number of injuries and setbacks this year mainly from running, my love for Pilates has only grown. Running is the same movement over and over again. It is high impact, causing a lot of stress on your joints. Some of us are lucky enough to be able to run everyday and stay healthy. Unfortunately this does not include me. This year I have dealt with a hip injury, which is an area I’m really focused on strengthening. Running is such a passion of mine and I didn’t want to stop doing what I loved. However I had to find ways to get my workouts in, even when I was bound on crutches.

I have always had a hard time finding workouts that complimented my running while building strength at the same time. I found whenever I would go to a group fitness class after a run, the focus would always be some type of high-impact jumping. I was not interested in putting more stress on my joints after my runs. My friends have been telling me about how Pilates changed their body. After much convincing, I tried my first class. I may have fallen a couple of times but I never felt more challenged in my life.

When doing Pilates, you are constantly engaging your core. You may think you run mainly with your legs, but you also use your psoas muscle (lower abdomens). Having a strong core is key, especially when running uphill, so your lower back doesn’t take over. Pilates has not only made my hips stronger but also stretched them at the same time, allowing me to have more fluid movements when I run. My legs can kick back further and my stride has improved. I wanted to yell to every runner, “You should be doing this!” It has all the benefits you get from a great yoga class, combined with the fast-paced yet slow method of fatiguing muscles until failure. It literally put no stress on my bones or joints. But don’t be fooled— I still walk out of class with my hair dripping with sweat and puddles next to me….

Thanks to Women’s Running Magazine for this excellent article – for the complete article click here.