7 Reasons Why Every Runner Should Incorporate Pilates Into Their Routine
Running is a fantastic way to keep fit, clear your mind, and challenge your body. At Yellow Pilates, we are huge fans of the benefits that running can bring whether that’s in the body or the mind.
However, despite its many benefits, running can also lead to muscle imbalances, tightness, and injuries. This is where Pilates comes in. Incorporating Pilates into your running routine can transform your performance and keep you on the road for longer.
Here is why every runner should embrace Pilates with open arms.
A Trail Run at Sunrise
1. Improved Core Strength
A strong core is essential for runners. It stabilises your torso and pelvis, helping to maintain proper running form and reducing the risk of injury. Pilates focuses extensively on core muscles, including the deep abdominal muscles, obliques, and surrounding core muscles. Attending a regular Pilates class means you are targeting these muscles consistently and effectively, meaning you will improve your core strength.
Exercises like the Pilates Hundred, Plank, and Roll-Up strengthen these muscles, providing a solid foundation that enhances your running efficiency.
2. Enhanced Flexibility
Running often leads to tight muscles, especially in the hips, hamstrings, and calves. This tightness can restrict your range of motion and lead to overuse injuries. Pilates incorporates a variety of stretches and flexibility exercises that target these areas. Regular practice can lengthen tight muscles, improve overall flexibility, and increase stride length, allowing for a more fluid and efficient running motion. Lengthened muscles can work more efficiently contributing to better overall functional movement.
3. Injury Prevention
The worst thing you can tell a runner is that they are not allowed to run.
Many running injuries, such as IT band syndrome, shin splints, and plantar fasciitis, stem from muscle imbalances and poor biomechanics. We all have muscle imbalances in our body that we may not be aware of, but when amplified by a tough running schedule, these imbalances can cause us problems and result in injury.
Pilates addresses these issues by promoting balanced muscle development and correcting imbalances. For instance, exercises that strengthen the glutes and hip stabilizers can prevent knee and hip pain, while foot and ankle exercises help avoid issues like plantar fasciitis. By focusing on controlled, precise movements, Pilates teaches you to move efficiently and avoid unnecessary strain on your joints, helping you stay injury free.
4. Better Posture and Alignment
Good posture is crucial for optimal running performance and injury prevention. Pilates emphasises body awareness and alignment, teaching you to maintain the correct posture during exercise and daily activities. By strengthening the muscles responsible for good posture, Pilates helps runners avoid slumping or overstriding, both of which can lead to inefficiency and injury. Exercises like the Swan and the Spine Stretch Forward promote a strong and aligned spine, which translates to better running form.
5. Enhanced Breathing Techniques
Effective breathing is vital for endurance running. Pilates incorporates deep, diaphragmatic breathing, which increases lung capacity and improves oxygen flow to your muscles. Learning to control your breath through Pilates can help you manage your breathing more effectively during runs, leading to better stamina and reduced fatigue. The Pilates Breath is a fundamental practice that not only enhances your Pilates workouts but also translates to more efficient breathing while running.
6. Improved Focus & Concentration
Pilates requires a high level of concentration and mental focus, as you must be mindful of your movements and breathing. This mental discipline can be highly beneficial for runners, especially during long runs or races where mental stamina is crucial. The ability to stay focused and in tune with your body can improve your running performance and help you push through challenging moments.
7. Speedy Recovery
Recovery is a critical component of any training program. Pilates includes gentle stretching and low-impact exercises that promote muscle recovery without adding extra strain. Incorporating Pilates into your post-run routine can help reduce muscle soreness, increase blood flow, and speed up the recovery process. Exercises like the Pilates Roll Down and Seated Forward Fold are excellent for stretching out tired muscles and enhancing recovery.
Incorporating Pilates into your running routine can provide numerous benefits, from improved core strength and flexibility to better posture and injury prevention. By enhancing your physical and mental fitness, Pilates can make you a more efficient, resilient, and focused runner.
Whether you’re training for a marathon or enjoying leisurely jogs, Pilates can help. So, lace up your running shoes and roll out your Pilates mat – it’s time to experience the power of Pilates.
