In recent years, Pilates has been picking up steam as one of the most popular forms of total-body fitness. Athletes of all types see the benefits of a Pilates workout magnified in the other sports they practice, as Pilates targets the core elements that every athlete needs to improve their game: balance, coordination, flexibility, and strength.
No matter what their sport, athletes rely on their bodies to repeat a very coordinated series of muscle movements, and generally focus their efforts on certain parts of the body. For this reason, many athletes, over time, can find themselves beginning to lack in overall flexibility or strength outside of their target areas. In order to excel as an athlete, it’s important to keep overall body tone and flexibility and is especially important to maintain a strong core.
A 2006 study conducted on Pilates by the American Council on Exercise noted Pilates is especially good for toning and flexibility. They also point out Pilates can be uniquely scaled and tailored to anyone’s needs. This flexibility and ability to focus on specific muscle groups can help any type of athlete tailor their workout to their unique requirements.
One common limitation for athletes is lack of spine and shoulder flexibility. Age and the demands of life can cause the muscles in the back to stiffen, throwing off coordination and precision. Pilates workouts focus heavily on the core, which in turn supports the back, fending off injury.
The glutes, quads and other muscle groups that support the hips and lower back are also heavily relied upon in a Pilates workout. Various standing and seated hip stretches force the body to both support its own weight and stretch. Together, these create stability, tone the lower body, and can work to prevent stiffness that can occur during a hard workout.
Another trouble spot for many athletes are the joint areas, such as wrists, elbows ankles and knees. Although Pilates focuses on the core and midsection, the whole body still works together and benefits from stretching and toning. Over time, the muscles surrounding the body’s joints get stronger, reducing the risk of injury throughout the entire body.
A final benefit of Pilates that cannot be ignored is the added focus and control an athlete can gain over mind and body. Those who practice Pilates often develop greater control over the fine movements of their muscles, strong focus, patience, and gain an increased awareness over the way their body moves and works together. This strengthened connection between the mind and body will benefit any athlete and can continue to improve their aptitude even after some of the physical limitations are lifted.
