Doing Home Pilates: How to add Pilates into Your running Routine.
Pilates is one of the top 2024 fitness trends even though it’s been around for years, and home Pilates is gaining momentum as well.
For runners Pilates is the perfect way to add strength, flexibility, mobility, stabilisation, and a great way to support your runners’ body.
Home Pilates can be lonely and hard to motivate yourself to do, but the results and positive impact on your running make it worthwhile. Plus joining an online community is just like being in a in person class. Well, it is in mine anyway!
Here are some tips for ensuring you win at doing more Pilates at home.
1. Create a Dedicated Space for your home Pilates.
Designate a specific area in your home for Pilates workouts. Put your mat in the area if you have room keep it out, one less thing to do! Having a dedicated space helps create a focused and comfortable environment for your practice.
2. Use Online Resources
There is a lot of FREE Pilates sessions out there. Sometimes that can be a disadvantage as you find yourself just scrolling to find your workout. Paid online sessions give you the motivation to turn up and do your home Pilates. But find something that does what you want, e.g. Pilates for Runners. Studio 44 Pilates offers guided Pilates sessions suitable for different levels, including specifically designed for runners. Plus, with the daily Calendar you don’t have to waste time scrolling and running out of time to do your session.
3. Invest in Basic Equipment:
While many Pilates exercises can be done without equipment, investing in a Pilates mat, resistance bands and weighted balls can add variety and intensity to your workouts. But get into a routine first before you invest.
4. Start with Beginner Workouts
If you’re new to Pilates, begin with beginner-level workouts. This will ensure you understand the Pilates technique and learn the basics moves. Once you have mastered this you can get going with strengthening specifically for your running and reduce those risks of injury. Invest the time to learn and it will pay off. Studio 44 Pilates offers a standalone beginner’s course. Find out more here.
5. Be Consistent with your home Pilates.
Consistency is key. But we know that. 10-minute Pilates done 3 – 4 times a week, makes it easier to build a habit and incorporate Pilates into your routine.
6. Mix it Up:
Keep your Pilates routine interesting by incorporating different exercises and routines. This variety not only keeps you engaged but also challenges different muscle groups. With the daily Calendar as part of the membership, I choose the sessions for you to do which adds variety rather than just doing the ones you love and not challenging your body!
7. Listen to Your Body:
Pay attention to your body and modify exercises as needed. Pilates is about quality of movement, not quantity, so focus on proper form to avoid injury.
Reasons to do home Pilates
1. Why you should do Pilates
Pilates can enhance running performance by improving core strength, flexibility, and overall body awareness. It can also help prevent injuries by addressing muscular imbalances.
2. Add your home Pilates to your running Warm-Up/Cool Down:
10-minute sessions can be easily done before or after a run. Use it as a warm-up or cool-down activity to make it feel like a natural extension of your training. Mobility sessions before you head out to wake the body up and core strength sessions when you return when you are warm.
3. Set Realistic Goals:
Establish achievable goals for your Pilates practice. Whether it’s completing a specific routine or improving on a particular exercise, setting realistic goals can provide motivation.
4. Make it Social:
Share your Pilates journey with fellow runners or family members. Why not get others to join you helping you to stay motivated and accountable.
5. Reward Yourself:
Treat yourself when you reach milestones in your Pilates practice. Rewards can be small, like a relaxing bath or a favourite healthy snack.
6.Schedule It:
This is so important, I bet you schedule your runs, so do the same with your Pilates. Once you start seeing the benefits in your running you won’t be missing your home Pilates.
7.Track Your Progress:
Keep a log of your Pilates workouts and note any improvements in strength, flexibility, or endurance. Seeing progress can be a powerful motivator. If you log your runs on Strava (or any other fitness tracker) start adding in your Pilates sessions as well.
Doing Pilates at home will not only give you benefits for your running but reduce time you could be spending going to and from classes.
Come and try the Pilates for runners’ membership and see how you can incorporate all these tips into your routine.
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