SPR Pilates

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Expressions of interest – Pilates for Cyclist

As a certified Pilate’s instructor I started thinking about Pilates and cycling, and how Pilates might support a cyclists training.

As with all sports, in cycling there are common pitfalls like repetitive stress on certain muscle group’s lack of core strength and poor posture. To help counter that, Pilates offers a very strong emphasis on a balanced, overall strength and flexibility

Pilates focuses on alignment and abdominal stability, which will support a cyclist through long rides. Have you seen those cyclists when they get tired? The chest drops so that the neck has to bend unnaturally to hold the head up, and all the weight falls into the front the arms, the deltoid, biceps and forearms. Now maybe that doesn’t happen to Lance Armstrong, or the riders of the Tour de France, but we live in a cycling intensive community and I see this posture a lot out on our roads. Pilates can help cyclists to re-align their neutral spine and relieve the stresses caused by consistently riding on a hunched postural position.

By improving the balance, strengthening the core muscles and restoring the posture of the cyclists, Pilates helps the cyclists to reach an optimal pedalling rate for better endurance.

Some of the benefits of Pilates that can promote proper alignment and improved performance of the cyclists include:

  • Build upper body strength by developing correct posture when riding
  • Increase lower back and hamstring flexibility
  • Reduce lower back injury by stretching hip flexors and quadriceps
  • Increase endurance by practicing proper Pilates breathing technique
  • Strengthen quadriceps, hamstrings, calf muscles, buttocks, hip flexors and abdominal muscles.
  • Reduce imbalance of the muscle groups by synchronizing the quadriceps with the hamstring muscles to stabilize the leg movement during pedalling.
  • Improve balance of the body to avoid falling during riding

So if that sounds like something you would like to try then let me know as I am gathering interest to start a Monday evening Pilates class for cyclists.

During the summer the classes would be run on the south Perth foreshore, though during the cold wet winter months, to keep cost down we would need to use somebody’s house, shed or free indoor facility, so if anyone would like to kindly donate their home, or you have any suggestions please leave your feedback in the comments below.

To get an idea of numbers, please leave your interest in the comments list below.

Chrissy

49 thoughts on “SPR Pilates”

  2. Great stuff Chrissy. I’ve been thinking about pilates and yoga as cross training for a while now. Didn’t really know where to start though.

  5. I have been doing a centergy (yoga/core/pilates)class in order to help with some poor flexibility issues and enjoyed them, so sounds good!

  7. all the pros do pilates as part of their training programs. Cadel swears by it.

    I’d be keen as mustard, but can’t do Monday nights I’m afraid.

    Also, Vic park leisure centre might be able to provide a room suitable for cheap. However, they may already off classes… Dunno.

  8. Another place might be the loftus centre in leederville. We use them for work meetings sometimes. Cheap cheap.

  16. Sounds good. Keen as hot english….especially if Josh gets out in some pink spandex flashdance style!

  19. Count me in too I’ve been wanting to do classes for ages. Mon is okay for me

  20. kate and i will have to take it in turns, but we should be there.
    i want to end up as flexible as josh is in bed.

  21. Ainsy, i prefer a pink mankini with fish nets…
    Pete, you are on the right track, no one does pilates for cycling, its all for the bedroom!

  22. sounds super fabbo – will have to see what my Monday’s hold after my India track trip as that’s when training is normally held…

  23. Will there be a SPR Leotard developed?

    A green 1 piece G-String with some white hot pants (Jane Fonda style)…

    Noice..

  27. Hmmm 1 piece G-strings – I assume the boys will have to wax further up. This imagery is disturbing and I’ve just had my lunch…

  29. Wax further up?? DOnt you guys?? 😉 So Josh Pete reckons your good in bed huh..something we need to know??

  34. I think I can get in touch with my inner metrosexual for this! Sounds good, count myself and mrs

  36. There is a hall at Como Primary school which I think may be able to be hire for cheap.

  37. sooo, to recap:

    what: pilates for core strength and in bed flexibility.

    attire options: pink mankini with fish nets, SPR Leotard, green 1 piece G-String with some white hot pants (hot pants optional), or an SPR sock stuffed borat mankini.

    aaand your planning on holding this at either a) a church or b) a primary school.

    i’m staying well away from this. if immigration were able to associate me with any of this, i’m sure i’d be deported.

  39. Sign me up. Clothing of choice “Wicked Weasel 449 Satin Sheer Bikini” I’m sure I’m snug enough to fit in!

  40. Thank you all, the response has been a pleasant and encouraging surprise.
    Keep an eye on the blog as we should be running our first class within the next couple of weeks.

  41. i don’t know nigel. the bikini is $80 and the doesn’t seem to be enough material to print “SPR” on it…anywhere. plus, i am not sure that i want to visualise you wearing one…even if it was dry.

  43. Subi, sweet, just around the corner for work..

    Jen, they have stated capacity numbers for seated and standing, where are the numbers for lying? 🙂

  46. south perth primary hall is another option, on Angelo St not far down the road from Coode St

  47. thanks for the suggestions.
    we have hopefully secured a place in south perth just off canning hwy.
    easy access and lots of parking.

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