Pilates and sport

Pilates brings numerous benefits to the athlete’s body, allowing him better flexibility and control and also allowing him to gain more strength and energy: this also allows for better performance in sports. Let’s find out all the advantages in detail!

Pilates and Tennis

Pilates can help tennis players:

to strengthen their stabilizing muscles in order to cope with the short sprints and sharp turns without having problems to their knees;
to strengthen rotator cuff muscles that are essential to the proper movement of the shoulder, especially during service;
to strengthen the powerhouse and thus prevent back injuries;
to become more flexible in the lower back and hips to twist, to return a ball from an imperfect position or to better stretch forwards, sideways or overhead;
to get down lower for the drop shots and up higher for the lobs, thus helping their performance.

Pilates and Soccer

The Pilates method can help soccer players:

to reduce the pressure from over-stressed muscles and increase the activity in muscles that are often neglected or underused in training;
to generate more power even when they are off-balance;
to become more flexible, thus helping with the movements on the field;
to better twist, change in direction, jump;
to reduce groin, knee and hamstring injuries as well as generating power while running or jumping;
to become more stable while standing on one leg and kicking the ball.

Pilates and Golf

Pilates can help golf players:

to maximize balance and alignment while rotating, which is essential as golfers are constantly torquing their bodies;
to improve their performance as both Pilates and golf share same basic principles (fluid motion, precision, accuracy);
to get more distance and power because of added hip and torso flexibility;
to decrease fatigue because of less strain on the body;
to reduce the most common golf injuries (rotator cuff tears, tendinitis, back and knee pain).

Pilates and Running

The Pilates method can help runners:

to improve their stride, as Pilates increases flexibility;
to reduce the pressure caused by the constant rattling on the spine, as it strengthens the lower back;
to improve running technique, as it rebalances their body and teaches how to move it correctly;
to decrease the chance of injuries, by adjusting their posture and strengthen their core stability;
to build speed and endurance, as it increases oxygen circulation in their muscles.

Pilates and basketball

Pilates can help basketball players:

to improve footwork skills needed on the court, as it works both on feet articulation and on their flexibility and strength;
to better run, jump and contort in a number of different ways;
to build strong arms, as it teaches how to move them from the back;
to improve in quick changes of direction or unexpected extensions, as it increases flexibility;
to get more strength and explosiveness in both a static position or on the move, as it strengthens the trunk area and stabilizes feet, knees and hips;
to reduce the chance of injuries, as it helps to gain balance.

Pilates and rugby

The Pilates method can help rugby players:

to reduce hamstring tears, as the method focuses on the stabiliser muscles of the pelvis (the buttocks and groin muscles);
to greatly improve general mobility and enhance core strength while easing the stress placed on the neck and spine during intense scrummaging.

Pilates and cycling

Pilates can help cyclists:

to strengthen their weak back, as it targets the core muscles;
to improve athletic performance by targeting tight hip flexors;
to become more powerful and more stable on the bike, as Pilates works the glutes, the biggest asset when cycling;
to improve their performance thanks to improved limb alignment;
to realign and elongate their necks, which suffer from hunching over while looking up for a long period of time;
to correct postural instabilities caused by cycling.

Pilates and Sport