Did you know that Pilates benefits runners?

There seems to be a Pilates class that can help with every sport and activity out there.  It almost seems too good to be true that one form of exercises can affect the body’s performance so positively in so many activities.  Running is yet another activity that Pilates positively influences.   “Pilates benefits runners?” you may ask.   Let’s see how.

The first principle of Pilates and for our very life, breathing.  Breathing is especially important when our bodies are being pushed beyond its everyday limits.  We have all seen the local neighbourhood runner running.  Visualize this early morning or after work runner and consider her / his form.  What is their posture like?  Are they leaning forward shortening the space between their chest and legs thus allowing less space for their lungs to expand within their ribcage when inhaling leading to exhaustion?   Or perhaps this runner is leaning backwards, compressing their vertebrae, putting tension on the joints in the spine, putting pressure on their quadriceps which can lead to sciatic problems as well as strains in the scapula (i.e. shoulder blades).  Pilates can help with both of these issues either in a preventative manner before problems arise or in a rehabilitative manner after problems have arisen.  

For the runner that is leaning forward reducing the space within which their lungs can expand strengthening of back muscles and mid back muscles will help keep them upright opening up their chest allowing them to maximize their lung capacity.  There are many exercises in Pilates for the back, lower, mid and upper back.  

For the runner that is leaning back Pilates can help with balance and strength, again within the core, to keep the runner upright relieving muscular and joint tension.  

When running you want to be as balanced as possible on each side of the body so that there are no imbalances such as leaning or rotations to one side while running.  Many exercises in Pilates can help bring these slight imbalances in the body to light and as result focus on the relevant muscles, however small, can be made minimizing imbalances resulting in a more comfortable and fluid run. 

Running and Pilates share the quality that there is a mind-body relationship that plays a significant role in both activities.  In Pilates the mind-body relationship has to do with the positioning of the body and engaging the appropriate muscles during exercises while implementing the basic techniques that set Pilates apart from other forms of calisthenics.  A long distance runner when trying to remain focused on their goal, with some Pilates knowledge can turn their attention and focus to their body – how their head is balanced on their cervical spine, what their posture is like, whether they are leaning forward or back, whether their arms are swinging parallel to their body or across their body, how their body is moving in space – all factors that can either make the running experience more or less enjoyable.