When it comes to professional sports, athletes need every edge they can get. For many, squeezing that extra 1% out of their bodies can be the difference between victory and defeat. Gains are made during training, not play, so each athlete’s regimen makes a big difference.
Did you know that many professional athletes, such as LeBron James and Cristiano Ronaldo, use Pilates as their method of choice? Reformer Pilates classes provide what these pros need to stay at the top of their game.
However, you do not need to be a full-time athlete to reap the benefits of Pilates. Here are the top reasons why so many professionals rely on this form of exercise and how you can enjoy the same benefits in your daily life.
The Mind-Body Connection
For most sports stars, success comes down, at least in large part, to reaction times. Basketball players must pass to a teammate with unexpected speed and precision the moment they see an opening; golfers need to adjust mid-swing to maximize form and aim. No matter the sport, being able to connect the mind’s processing power to the body’s muscular efforts leads to the best outcome.
Pilates is highly effective at training this connection. Participants of all ages have been shown to decrease the delay of their reaction times, which shows just how effective Reformer Pilates can be for supporting the mind-body connection, no matter a person’sage or sports discipline.
Balance and Function
Another essential factor influencing professional athletes’ success is balance. Many sports ask participants for fast pivots, sudden movements, and more. This requires the body to remain in balance and to be able to exert these forces with ease on any side of the body.
However, many people gradually develop muscular imbalances. For example, if you are like most people, your dominant arm is stronger than your non-dominant one. For athletes, this is a no-go, and Pilates can help.
Reformer Pilates focuses on evenly training both sides of the body. This allows sports players to maintain balance even in challenging situations. As a result, they can hit harder, improve their accuracy, and stay on their feet during movement.
Range of Motion
Stretching is essential in any sport, but for the pros, it can be the deciding factor of a game. Imagine if a golfer did not have the flexibility to follow through on a swing, or a football receiver could not stretch far enough to catch the ball. The entire team would suffer as a result. In addition, a lack of flexibility can lead to injury.
Pilates has been correlated with a significant increase in flexibility, even in joints that are hard to target, such as the pelvis. This increased range of motion allows players to perform the movements necessary to succeed and outcompete their peers. If you are not starting with much flexibility, that is all right! Pilates can meet you where you are.
Stability
We have already discussed balance, but Pilates also cultivates stability, which is a different but equally important factor. A golfer needs to remain motionless during a swing to make an accurate shot. A boxer must remain rooted to avoid being knocked over.
Developing stability can improve sports outcomes, and Pilates makes this process easier. By training the stabilizer muscles, which are hard to access via other forms of exercise, Pilates works the entire body to create a firm stance.
Which Athletes Trust Pilates?
We have already mentioned Cristiano Ronaldo and LeBron James, but they are far from the only athletes who make Pilates a regular part of their routine. Because Reformer Pilates is so effective at enhancing the skills and support needed for sports success, you can find it as part of the regular training routine for well-known professionals such as:
- Antonio Brown
- Tyler Seguin
- Jarvis Landry
- Andy Murray
- Tiger Woods
- Jake Arieta
- Kendrick Louis
Athletes in sports ranging from hockey and golf to tennis and basketball rely on Pilates to strengthen their routines and prepare for the big game.
Try Reformer Pilates Classes to See the Difference It Makes
Whether you are an active sports buff or simply considering ways to add more activity to your life, Reformer Pilates classes can be a helpful option. There is a reason it is trusted by so many professional athletes! The friendly instructors at RTR Pilates can show you the ropes of using a reformer, even if you have never seen one before. .
Contact RTR Pilates to sign up for a beginner class and see for yourself why so many athletes are committed to their Pilates workouts as part of their long-term career success.