How we reported this: The author, Ali Nolan, is an experienced runner and an editor at RUN. She spoke with Liz Patient, founder of Pilates for Runners, about how runners can use Pilates to build strength and optimize performance. Nolan tested three moves herself and included pictures showing how to do each one.
Ask me to run ten miles, and I’ll ask how fast. Ask me to put my legs in straps with my knees bent at 90 degrees, curl up to engage my core, pump my arms in time with rhythmic breathing while counting to 100, and I’ll cry. I’ll cry because Pilates—with all its small-muscle-focused, intentional, and coordinated movements—is my least favorite workout ever.
And I’ve done it all: CrossFit, Orangetheory, hot yoga. Nothing feels as torturous as a Pilates session. And yet, three years after starting, I’m still doing it.
Because it might be one of the best cross-training complements to running. Rewind to three years ago, when a nasty calf tear forced me into long-term physical therapy. My PT, Kendell Jno-Finn, said no running (of course) and no unsupervised lifting (wah).
But he suggested joining his beginner Pilates class. Pilates, he explained, would help me build balanced strength and mobility so that when I returned to running, I’d be more well-rounded. It sounded great in theory, but why should a runner do Pilates instead of any of the million other alternatives?
Just because it’s popular? I’d seen Pilates classes before and assumed it was all grippy socks, cute outfits, a weird machine, and a lot of lying on the floor. But five minutes into my first class—with sweat dripping down my face and every core muscle screaming—I wondered if I’d stumbled into runner’s hell.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
