Pilates benefits everyone. Including athletes. Pilates is so often underlooked though for its ability to improve the body for popular activities. So I have decided to list some of the benefits Pilates would provide to bikers and runners, since it is the summer season, and they are everywhere! So here is a quick overview of the benefits of Pilates on popular activities!
What Exercise Problems Can Pilates Improve?
Here are a few running/cycling-specific issues that can be improved by doing Pilates regularly:
Cycling:
Rocking of pelvis on seat
Knees rolling in or out
Too much movement in the upper body
Poor neck posture
Tight chest muscles
Tight calves/hips
Overstretched and weak back muscles
Wrist issues
Muscular imbalances
Movement efficiency
Tight iliotibial (IT) band
Running:
Feet and/or knees rolling in
Hips dropping or twisting
Increased movement in lower back
Short stride length
Tight hamstrings/hips
Tight calves
Tight IT band
Weak inner thighs
Muscular imbalance
Pilates is so effective for athletes because it retrains the body to use the muscles more efficiently, thus conserving energy. An endurance athlete such as a runner, cyclist, or bi/tri-athlete who trains several hours a week, and who is not using the correct muscles efficiently, will find that early fatigue will destroy the technique of your stride or stroke. Also, Pilates offers what all athletes need the most: core strengthening, which helps to improve performance in both running and biking (and pretty much anything involving sports). Pilates works so effectively at the core, because it strengthens all the muscle layers. Pilates works extremely deeply and effectively to not just work all the core muscles, but to also establish control of the muscles providing functionality, stability, and balance to the pelvis and spine.
Pilates is amazing for runners, cyclists, and other athletes. Developing a strong core has huge rewards and can help you achieve your fitness goals.
My next article will go into more depth, and in particular the benefits of Pilates in golf. Golf is a sport that is played by millions, and is one of the leading causes of back problems. Pilates wasn't invented to improve a golf swing, but when you look at the functions of Pilates and the benefits it's not hard to have many people fooled. Pilates is the best form of exercise for golf (just ask Tiger Woods)!
Showing posts with label philly. Show all posts
Showing posts with label philly. Show all posts
Friday, July 24, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Myth Busting - Pilates Style
A few extremely common Pilates misconceptions I felt compelled to write about tonight:
1.) Pilates does not use physio-balls, medicine balls, exercise balls, or any other type of balls you can possibly associate with exercise. Joeseph Pilates NEVER taught using them, and if you see an instructor teaching with one, and calling it "Pilates" you should RUN. Or, at least realize that they were poorly trained, and have a certification that is more than likely not from a reputable certification program.
Physio balls have their use. And are great! However, there are a lot of wonderful things in the fitness world. And, not all of them are called Pilates.
2.) Pilates is not Yoga, and it's not "relaxing". I covered this in the last article if you're looking for an explanation.
3.) Pilates is not just for women. Pilates was designed by a man for men, and was only later adopted for women later on when his clientele gained a huge spike from NYC dancers.
4.) Pilates can cause weight loss. It's a great way to lose weight! The biggest misconception about Pilates is that it's relaxed, slow, and easy, because much of it you get to do lying on a mat. This is hardly the case. As an instructor and an elite athlete, I can say that a Pilates mat done at a fast pace with good form can easily get your heart rate to a cardio level, and leave you in a pool of sweat.
Pilates requires so much concentration because you're asking the body to complete accurate, controlled body movements. At the end of your session when you finally stop focusing on the exercise at hand you will notice. Wow, I am sweating a lot. Often, because so much focus is dedicated to the exercise that the hour of hard work passed by faster than you thought possible.
5.) Pilates does not require flexibility. It's 100% not a requisite for performing Pilates. Yes, Pilates is easier if you're flexible. But many things are easier if you're flexible. The exercise itself will promote and improve flexibility without ever directly doing a stretch only exercise. Flexibility is created by dynamic movement, and making the muscles work for strength, but at the same time with stretch.
I could go on forever, but these 5 general misconceptions are very common.
1.) Pilates does not use physio-balls, medicine balls, exercise balls, or any other type of balls you can possibly associate with exercise. Joeseph Pilates NEVER taught using them, and if you see an instructor teaching with one, and calling it "Pilates" you should RUN. Or, at least realize that they were poorly trained, and have a certification that is more than likely not from a reputable certification program.
Physio balls have their use. And are great! However, there are a lot of wonderful things in the fitness world. And, not all of them are called Pilates.
2.) Pilates is not Yoga, and it's not "relaxing". I covered this in the last article if you're looking for an explanation.
3.) Pilates is not just for women. Pilates was designed by a man for men, and was only later adopted for women later on when his clientele gained a huge spike from NYC dancers.
4.) Pilates can cause weight loss. It's a great way to lose weight! The biggest misconception about Pilates is that it's relaxed, slow, and easy, because much of it you get to do lying on a mat. This is hardly the case. As an instructor and an elite athlete, I can say that a Pilates mat done at a fast pace with good form can easily get your heart rate to a cardio level, and leave you in a pool of sweat.
Pilates requires so much concentration because you're asking the body to complete accurate, controlled body movements. At the end of your session when you finally stop focusing on the exercise at hand you will notice. Wow, I am sweating a lot. Often, because so much focus is dedicated to the exercise that the hour of hard work passed by faster than you thought possible.
5.) Pilates does not require flexibility. It's 100% not a requisite for performing Pilates. Yes, Pilates is easier if you're flexible. But many things are easier if you're flexible. The exercise itself will promote and improve flexibility without ever directly doing a stretch only exercise. Flexibility is created by dynamic movement, and making the muscles work for strength, but at the same time with stretch.
I could go on forever, but these 5 general misconceptions are very common.
Friday, July 3, 2009
New Pilates Studio
I am excited to announce that I am now teaching Classical Pilates in Philadelphia. I will be working at the brand new "Thrive Pilates" studio at Philly Power Yoga located at 2016 Walnut St, 3rd Floor.
I will be taking new clients starting the week of July 6th.
If you our interested in scheduling a lesson (My rates start at $70/Hr), or if you have any questions concerning Pilates you can reach me at Kyleleith@gmail.com
I will be taking new clients starting the week of July 6th.
If you our interested in scheduling a lesson (My rates start at $70/Hr), or if you have any questions concerning Pilates you can reach me at Kyleleith@gmail.com
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