Pilates for Sports Training

Pilates is great for people who play sport, whether it is for fun or if they are competing at the top level. Pilates in relation to sport can focus on two different areas:  

1.     Pilates as a form of cross training

There are sports that are very one sided. This can leads to a lot of imbalances through the body caused by overtraining the dominant side.

For example, water polo is very one sided as the majority of training involves ball skills which for most people will be undertaken with the dominant hand. Unless you are just as effective on both sides, you will throw and block and hold with one arm. This will create a weaker arm and consequently, a weaker shoulder girdle and back extensors.

Other sports that may be deemed one sided are tennis, soccer, cricket and golf. 

Pilates can work with a greater focus on the other side of the body, while still incorporating the full body workout, to aid in balancing out the body. 

2.   Pilates as part of specificity training

Pilates can also be used to develop a much more efficient muscle-firing pattern which can help with the sports one plays.

By targeting the deeper stabilising muscles, Pilates can help the larger muscles be more effective when they move for that particular sport.

For example, for swimmers, Pilates can work on the intrinsic muscles of the shoulders and hips to give a more effective kick and arm pull. It will also help stabilise the deeper core muscles, which will aid the body to stay streamlined when swimming through the water.

Every sport is different and people require different outcomes depending on their background, the level they play at and goal for their sport.

Find a Pilates Instructor near you and discuss what you want from your sporting pursuits.