Pilates can help improve your athletic performance by making you a stronger, less injury-prone athlete.
Triathlon’s training diversity is what attracts so many people to the sport. Unfortunately, it’s also what often puts triathletes at high risk of postural imbalances, muscle strains and over-use injuries.
Competitors often spend hundreds, if not thousands, on their equipment and spend hours and hours training, not to mention the investment in better nutrition and supplements, but what if it all comes undone with a little niggle that snowballs into persistent, chronic pain?
This is where Pilates for triathletes comes in. Pilates for triathletes is one of the most effective forms of body maintenance and injury avoidance, so why not add Pilates to your training today?
What is Pilates?
Pilates is a form of gentle, non-aerobic exercise that will strengthen and tone muscles without stressing the joints or the heart. Pilates for triathletes is one of the most effective forms of pre-habilitation (body maintenance and injury avoidance). It can be safely done everyday!
Pilates exercises are aimed at the full body. Every exercise is designed to elongate, strengthen and restore the body to its natural patterns. Regular classes develop strength and tone in a way which lightens the load on the spine and joints. This helps each area of the body to function better, to move with greater ease and with better control. Pilates does this by helping to rediscover the body’s natural movements and alignment. This restores balance that is lost with bad posture and misuse of muscles (which can happen during long rides and swims). The result of Pilates for triathletes is strengthening of muscles and freedom of movement with the lovely bi-product of looking taller, leaner and more toned!
The Power House and Core Strength
One of the main areas of focus in Pilates is the ‘Power House’. These are the core muscles and core-stabilising muscles which include the abdominals, pelvic floor, hips, glutes and buttock muscles. A strong power house is vital for triathlon. This set of muscles is the stabiliser of the whole body, transferring force from one extremity to another or initiating the movements themselves. Core strength is also key to reducing the levels of fatigue and helping get through those long rides and runs.
We will be sharing more insights over the coming months to how Pilates can benefit performance in other sports and activities but if you are ready to get stuck in please get in touch today or head to https://bbodysmart.co.uk/ to read more about the benefits of Pilates for runners and triathletesswim
