Is Pilates good for Cyclists?

YES…. Pilates is good for cyclists.

With the Tour De France well underway and with this glorious summer weather.  More and more people are out on their bikes.  Using it as a great way to keep fit.

Which it is, but as with most sports these days it’s not all about the cycling. To do it well and not injury yourself you need to do more than just cycle.

Cycling Clubs

Most cycling clubs go out on average 2 – 3 times a week doing from 20 to 60 miles a ride.  This can mean from an hour to four in the saddle.  Other things are going to happen to your body, if your core isn’t strong then this doesn’t stabilise your pelvis as well and you lose good technique and the risks of injuries are going to increase.

Long miles on the bike lead to fatigue and with fatigue comes bad technique.

So is Pilates good for cyclists?

Pilates strengthens the core, improves mobility and flexibility and reduces your risks of injury.

Strong Core

• protects your back
• stabilises the pelvis
• stabilises the back
• improves posture

Flexibility

• lengthens mucsles
• stretches muscles
• Increases range of motion of joints

Mobility

• improves posture
• alleviates everyday aches and pains
• Improves body awareness

All these things are great for a cyclist especially as they become tired during a long ride.  As cyclist do more Pilates and feel the benefits then they will be able to cycle for longer with better overall result!

Bojko Velo Club 

Last year I started teaching a local cycling club Pilates, after convincing them of the benefits of Pilates.

A couple of weeks ago a small group of them did the Maratona Dles Dolomites a 87 mile race with a 4200 metre climb taking around 8 hours.

One of the Cyclists Simon who also does Pilates now did the Maratona, I asked him a few questions after the event.

1. Why did you start Pilates?  I am always looking for ways to stay fit and doing things in a group for me is more fun and usually means I push myself.
2. Has Pilates helped with any ongoing problems? It certainly has help irradiate any neck problems that I sometimes got on longer rides.
3. What effect has it had on your cycling? On longer rides with lots of climbs (like the Maratona), I would wake the following day with a sore core!  This doesn’t happen now and has helped me with my climbing over longer distances.

When you can see like Simon an improvement in your cycling this is real reason to add Pilates into your training.

Out on the bike for hours so fitting in a Pilates class is out of the question?

Then check out the website and our 10 minute Pilates online and try out our

7 DAY FREE TRIAL