Pilates is a powerful tool for runners looking to increase their speed and strength, improve their posture and form, and reduce the risk of injuries” says Patient. “Studies have shown that introducing weekly Pilates to your training can improve not only your 5K time but also your trunk strength and VO2 max (Finatto et al. 2018).
“The emphasis in Pilates on building a strong core and trunk—including your glutes, hips and shoulders—improving coordination, motor control, and proprioception [body awareness] all enhance your overall stability and balance. This enables runners to maintain an optimal posture and form during each stride when they are absorbing huge loads through the body from their ground strike.
“Studies have also shown Pilates improves your functional movement (Laws et Al. 2017 and Lim et Al. 2019). As the trunk becomes stronger, runners experience increased power transfer through their bodies, in particular to the lower limbs, leading to more efficient and forceful strides.
“Incorporating Pilates into your schedule can also help to reduce injuries and help you enjoy running even more. Pilates is a fantastic balance to running to reduce both mental and physical stress on the body. The focus on breathing not only helps to reduce stress and anxiety, it also helps lower your heart rate and blood pressure, reducing physical stress in the body.  At the same time, the emphasis on improving overall movement, through movement variety, strength and mobility, all helps to reduce the risk of muscle overuse from the repetitive nature of running.