History Repeats Itself :: Why Pilates will improve your lifts, runs & recovery.

Raw Truth?

Most people (especially my guys) think of Pilates as just slow core work. But the truth is it’s not just a flexibility class…it’s performance training in disguise. That’s right! It was initially designed for athletes and rehabilitation to build strength from the inside out.

Joseph Pilates, “founder of Pilates” was a man born in Germany in 1883 who studied gymnastics, boxing, yoga and martial arts as a way to strengthen his body, maintenance and recovery. One of his core mottos was “Physical Fitness is the first requisite of happiness”.

He was vocal about exercise and movement being the foundation for mental health and resilience. As a German National and working as a nurse during World War I, he used and taught interns his “system of exercises” that could be done on a mat or “spring” to help rehabilitate injured soldiers.

And now we’re catching on….there was around a 38% increase in Pilates practitioners from 2021-2024 and the client bookings side 2023-2024, had an 84% increase for Pilates. Why…let’s get into the benefits.

3 foundational ways Pilates helps you improve lifting and running better?

·      Control and Precision – teaching muscles to fire efficiently

·      Breath and Alignment – improving how you stabilize and move underweight

· Core-to-Extremity Strength – helping you generate more power in lifts, runs, and daily movement

Better Lifts?

Whether you’re lifting a barbell, dumbbell, kettlebell or your kids… stability and control is everything! The beneficial thing about Pilates is that it strengths your deep stabilizers in our spine, hips and shoulders. (Muscles like your transverse abdominisis, glutes, and rotator cuffs)

Strong stabilizers…

=      stronger squats and deadlifts through improved core bracing and hip control

=      better overhead press mechanics through shoulder stability and midline control

=      FEWER INJURIES

Run Faster, Feel Better?

When your posture and stride alignment (foot, ankle, hip, spine, arms, head) improve, you can run faster, further and recover quicker. Runners are starting to love Pilates more for this reason…efficiency.

Pilates = Improved Hip Mobility → reduced tightness in hip flexors and hamstrings

Pilates = Improved Core Endurance → stabilizes your spine for more powerful strides

Pilates = Improved Breathing Patterns → better oxygen exchange in rhythm while running

Recovery you say?

What’s the best medicine after or in-between intense training sessions?…..movement!

Pilates doubles as active recovery since it improves blood flow, and loosens tight muscles. Add some heat with Pilates and now you have a real game-changer!

Rather you’re lifting or running miles, just 30 minutes in between can

→ Reduce (DOMS) delayed-onset muscle soreness

→ Improve flexibility and joint health

→ Speed up recovery by blood flow circulation and lymphatic flow.

Strength and recovery go hand and hand as 2 foundational pieces to our wellness puzzle. Whether we’re chasing our next/new PR or a faster marathon time. The key to progress isn’t just hard work, but also SMART work.

Try one of our Pilates classes at the Reset Room → [Sign Up Here]