How can Pilates benefit runners?

We runners sure love to marry our sport with other exercises, don’t we? Yoga, weight training, plyometrics. There’s a lot we can do to try to take our health and fitness to the next level.

Running is a repetitive action (there’s not much difference in the range of motion), and after years of running (especially longer distances) can gradually wreak havoc on your joints and muscles. If you just can’t seem to shake feelings of tightness and soreness as a result of running, Pilates might be the answer you seek.

“Muscle imbalances and overtraining are probably the most common ailments among runners,” said Greta Macey, a Fleet Feet Chico employee who’s also a Pilates instructor. “The functional strength that Pilates provides adds an efficiency to running that’s unprecedented. A regular practice will contribute to injury prevention, more efficient recovery and increased stamina. And by adding another way to get exercise, it prevents the body from working based on muscle memory.”

On Feb. 9 at 6 p.m., Beth Koch of Simply Pilates will visit Fleet Feet Chico for an hour-long Pilates workshop. Beth has first-hand experience of the pain and discomfort long-distance running caused her—and the relief she felt after doing Pilates.

“I discovered that the more I incorporated Pilates into my training regimen, the less discomfort I felt in my hips, lower back and feet,” Beth says. “Fellow runners would often comment about my excellent posture and that I always looked relaxed when I ran.”

The Runners Workshop at Simply Pilates is specifically designed to address common problems associated with running, like pain and the accumulation of tightness throughout the body as a result of running.

“I believe that Pilates is the perfect complement to running. It’s gentle on the joints, yet strengthens core muscles and elongates the tight, shortened muscles resulting from poor postures.”

If you’re interested in learning more about Pilates and how it can help you as a runner (or just become a stronger athlete), come by the store to check out the workshop. It’s open to the public as well as our training programs. We’d appreciate it if you could RSVP, though, since we have room for 35 people. You can RSVP to carly@fleetfeetchico.com.