Pilates for Sport

Improve your sports with Pilates.

The spring resistance machinery designed by Joseph Pilates, the Reformer, Cadillac and Wunda Chair, along with the Barrels and Mat work, present a variety of exercised options to stretch, strengthen and condition the body.

Practicing Pilates on a regular basis quickly improves muscle flexibility and joint stability, offering a new level of strength and body control, giving you the edge on the competition. And with a more flexible and stronger body, the risk of sporting injuries are vastly reduced.

Click on the headings below to find out more:

pilates and golf

Golf

  • Increase flexibility to achieve mobility and torso rotation.
  • Strengthen core to improve balance and aid a steady swing.
  • Stabilise pelvis and spine to reduce risk of injury and prolong golfing career.
  • Strengthen shoulder girdle to maximise propulsion of swing.
  • Address imbalance created by the one sided nature of the game.

Read more about how Pilates can help your golf game via our blog article HERE
pilates and running

Running

  • Increase propulsion by strengthening the hamstrings,
    quadriceps, buttocks and calves.
  • Reduce lower back pain, (running can create compression
    in the lumbar spine). Re-align pelvis by strengthening
    hamstrings and core and lengthening the hip flexors.
  • Stabilise stride and reduce injury, by alignment of ankles,
    and pelvis.
  • Avoid unnecessary neck tension by stabilising shoulders.
  • Avoid injury, by maintaining flexibility.
pilates and rowing

Rowing

  • Increase reach through improved
    flexibility in lateral flexion and strengthening obliques.
  • Prolonged sitting and additional load on the flexed spine
    in the pull-back phase of the stroke, can place undue
    pressure on the lower back. Strengthen the lower
    abdomen to power up stroke and reduce injury.
  • Increase propulsion by strengthening quadriceps, hamstrings and calf muscles to accommodate a stronger push back
  • Reduce shoulder and neck tension by stabilising the shoulder girdle
pilates and cricket

Cricket

  • Increase propulsion and stability in batting and bowling motion by strengthening shoulder girdle.
  • The continuous extension and flexion of the
    spine in the bowling action can place undue pressure on the discs of
    the lower back. Strengthen core and stabilise pelvis to
    reduce chance of injury.
  • Maximise propulsion in the run up by strengthening
    the hamstrings, quadriceps, calves and gluteals.
  • Aid wide catches in fielding, by improving flexibility.
  • Address imbalances created by the one sided nature of
    the sport.
pilates and cycling

Cycling

  • Maximise propulsion by strengthening abdominals, quadriceps, hamstrings,
    gluteals and calves.
  • Reduce risk of back injury by stretching hip flexors and strengthening core.
  • Improve balance and posture by stabilising the shoulder girdle.
  • Reduce wear and tear of the knee joint by aligning the inner and outer muscles of the thigh.
  • Strengthen hamstrings to encourage more hamstring/quad co-contraction in
    all phases of the peddle motion.
  • Maximise flexiblilty to reduce injury.
pilates and football

Football

  • Increase pelvic stability to minimise groin strain.
  • Maximise running power and reduce risk of injury by balancing hamstring to quadricep strength and flexiblity.
  • Reduce risk of back injury by strengthening the abs, lengthening hip flexors and aligning pelvis.
  • Optimise kicking control by improving core stability and balance in single leg stance.
  • Increase overall flexibility to enhance game and reduce injury.
pilates and skiing

Skiing

  • Improve balance and prevent falls by improving core stability, leaving you better equipped to deal with rapid changes in the terrain as you ski.
  • Increase endurance and reduce risk of injury by strengthening and aligning muscles of the leg.
  • Improve turns by stretching and strengthening the torso in rotation.
  • Reduce shoulder tension in the flexed ski position by stabilising shoulder girdle.
  • Strengthen gluteals to withstand prolonged swapping of weight from left to right in the traversing action.

You can learn more about getting ski ready with Pilates – read our Blog article HERE
Pilates and tennis

Tennis

  • Strengthen the core to develop a stronger stroke.
  • Increase the velocity of the serve by stabilising shoulder girdle. Improve flexibility to aid reaching into wide shots
  • Strengthen leg muscles and gluteals to help facilitate sudden burst of power required to meet the ball.
  • Improve balance to help stability when hitting the ball.
  • Address imbalances created by the one sided nature of the game.
pilates and walking

Walking

  • Strengthen core to improve balance, essential when tackling slippy, wet terrain.
  • Reduce wear and tear of the knee joint by aligning the inner and outer muscles of the thigh.
  • Strengthen hamstrings and gluteals to enhance propulsion and endurance in walking up hill.
  • Strengthen and stabilise ankles to reduce risk of injury, especially poignant in rough and unpredictable surfaces.
  • Prolonged walking and standing can place strain on the lower back. Strengthen lower abdonminals to minimise the load on the spine and increase endurance.
pilates and swimming

Swimming

  • Strengthen core to increase power to the limbs, as they push though water’s resistance.
  • Improve stroke and reduce injury by stretching and strengthening the shoulder girdle.
  • The continuous lifting of the head in the breath phase of the stroke can place undue pressure on the lower back.
    Strengthen core and align pelvis to reduce injury.
  • Minimise drag in the water by strengthening core and stabilising torso.