How to Keep Fit When You Can’t Run Pilates for Runners Injury Recovery
If you’re injured and can’t run, it can feel like the end of the world. The worry that you’ll lose fitness, lose progress, or lose your routine is real.
It’s easy to think everything you’ve worked for will just slip away.
But here’s the truth: it doesn’t have to be that way.
Take Rachel, one of our Pilates for Runners members. Right now, she’s dealing with a hip injury and hasn’t been running. But rather than stopping altogether, she’s shifted her focus and the results have been surprising.
Rachel’s been doing two 30-minute live Pilates strength sessions with me each week, plus extra gym-based strength training and her physio exercises. These exercises focus on her glutes and core two muscle groups that are key for running performance and injury prevention.
And here’s the exciting part: despite not running, Rachel has actually noticed improvements in her cycling performance on her Peloton. She recently revisited a ride she’d done last year. Back then, she pushed herself to the absolute limit to set a personal best.
This time? She beat that score without even being in peak running shape.
So, what’s made the difference?
Rachel credits the combination of strength work, mobility training, and targeted physio exercises. By staying consistent and focusing on what she can do, she’s improved her overall fitness and kept her body strong which will make her return to running much smoother.
The lesson here when you can’t run!
When you get injured, you suddenly really understand the importance of strength and mobility training. You realise it’s what supports your body, keeps you moving, and helps you come back stronger.
But why wait until you’re injured to start? By building strength, improving mobility, and supporting your running body now, you can reduce the risk of being sidelined in the first place.
Strengthen and support your running body – starting now
My Pilates for Runners programme is designed to fit into busy lives, with short, effective sessions that improve strength, mobility, and running resilience. You don’t have to spend hours in the gym just 10 to 30 minutes a few times a week can make a huge difference.