Both Pilates and Yoga can keep you injury free in different ways. Pilates addresses muscular imbalances, improves muscular endurance, strengthens stabilising muscles of the joints, improves posture and core stability. Yoga lengthens tight/ short muscles, improves flexibility and muscle elasticity. Both improve mobility and body awareness, movement control and co-ordination.

Every runner tends to have muscle imbalances particularly in the glutes (your bum muscles), you can read more about this here. Pilates can specifically target the muscles which are causing the imbalances training them to work as they should in the right plane and range of movement, this will not only make them stronger but will also reduce the likelihood of compensatory movements from the opposing muscles that lead to injuries of those opposing muscles. Pilates involves repetitions of a movement which increases the endurance of your muscles meaning they can work harder for longer without getting tired. Tired muscles are more prone to injury so improving your muscles endurance will reduce your risk of getting injured. Pilates will also improve your core stability which helps prevent back pain, hip and pelvis related injuries and improves your running efficiency.

As runners, we are notoriously bad at stretching after runs but Yoga can be really beneficial to runners. If your muscles are tight they are more prone to strains and tears. Muscles that are long and strong are more able to move to their full length meaning you can lengthen your stride to become a more efficient runner. Muscles that have good elasticity (think stretchy elastic bands) can function efficiently without the risk of ‘pulling’ therefore preventing muscle strain injuries. Yoga can also improve your joint mobility, joints that can move smoothly without restriction are less likely to become injured, keeping you running regularly injury free.

As you can see both Pilates and Yoga have their benefits for keeping you injury free, even better if you can do both. We have the perfect class for runners which incorporates both Pilates and Yoga on Wednesdays at 7:45pm email Sarah to book your place or to try a free taster class. If you want to do just Pilates or just Yoga please check out our timetable.