Running is one of the most common exercises used by people to burn calories and strengthen their bodies. One of the best ways for runners to continue to motivate themselves is by signing up for events, such as half and full marathons.
To prepare for these events, it’s useful to practice by engaging the body in more ways than just continuing to run. In fact, reformer Pilates is an extremely beneficial addition to running training because of the ways it complements the body’s development of strength and muscle.
DMV residents who are interested in starting a Pilates class should consider reformer work to boost their performance on race day.
Here are a few of the ways that reformer Pilates can help you train for your next marathon.
What Is Reformer Pilates?
Pilates is a type of exercise that focuses on improving muscle tone, core stability, flexibility, and strength. Reformer Pilates takes the exercises of on-mat sessions and does them on a reformer machine, which is made of a platform that can roll back and forth alongside many resistance bands and pulleys. ‘
By adjusting the tension in the bands, you can perform Pilates exercises with resistance (or assistance) to boost strength and flexibility gains and improve your workout.
Reformer machines can help enthusiasts, and especially beginners, to maintain proper form so they don’t overengage muscles or compensate with the wrong muscle group.
As a result, many find reformer Pilates to be a great way to increase challenge where necessary and find support in areas of struggle.
Thanks to the adaptability of reformers, they are uniquely poised to help runners train for their marathons in several areas, including the following:
Boost Running Technique
Running well includes more than the legs and feet. Seasoned runners understand that supporting the body through the core gives endurance during a race and improves form for a better time.
Reformer Pilates engages the entire core, from the abdominal muscles and obliques to the lower back.
Most runners will concentrate on their abdominal core when running, but failure to properly train the lower back can result in less ideal running form, soreness, and even injury. Reformer Pilates is one of the best ways to target some of these often neglected areas.
Reduce Imbalance Injury
Because running is a repetitive activity, many runners are familiar with the experience of finding one side of their body sore.
This occurs because of muscular imbalance, in which one side of the body or a certain set of muscles is stronger than its partner on the other side.
Reformer Pilates provides an environment in which such imbalances become more obvious, so runners can identify them before they cause injury.
Additionally, the consistency provided by the reformer machine allows users to achieve more balanced musculature on both sides to prevent gradual injury.
Decrease Impact During Training
Running is an impact sport because each step creates a small shock on the knees, hips, and ankles. When runners train using only running, they can overexpose their joints to these impacts, and what once served as a relaxing hobby can turn into a painful routine.
Reformer Pilates is a low-impact exercise that benefits runners by increasing their strength, flexibility, and stability without exposing their joints to further impact pressure.
Varying the types of exercises used in pre-marathon training helps the body to recover more efficiently rather than over-taxing it, and the benefits gained in Pilates directly transfer into running proficiency.
Increase Bodily Awareness
One of the most important aspects of reformer Pilates is its focus on the body. Participants are encouraged to actively pay attention to how their body is feeling, the sensations they are experiencing, and their own mindset. Pilates turns inward to the self; a practice that is also helpful for runners.
During a race, runners who also practice Pilates are more likely to accurately stay aware of and adjust their posture, which can improve breathing and increase endurance.
They develop good proprioception—that is, the ability to understand how the body is moving through space without looking. They attend to their muscular cues and adjust as necessary to keep good form throughout a race using the self-reflective skills gained during reformer Pilates.
Try Reformer Pilates to Be a Better Runner
Consider adding reformer Pilates to your routine If you are training for a marathon, or if you want to but still feel it’s a bit out of reach. Anyone from a beginner to a Pilates expert has much to gain.
The team at RTR Pilates is excited to welcome you to one of our Pilates classes to help you get ready for your next marathon! Contact RTR Pilates to sign up for a reformer class near you.