Pilates
Following The New Orleans Saints win at The Super Bowl, I have to mention that Drew Brees incorporates Pilates in his training and also endorses hybrid Pilates weight bearing routines such as the Total Gym and TRX Suspension training. There is a long list of NFL players practicing Pilates besides many other male professional athletes as it is one of the top forms of training an athlete can do to produce results, whether their goal is to jump higher, run faster or kick or hit the ball further. Initially they are drawn to it when rehabilitating from an injury, but they soon realize that it enhances their performance.
In an article in Beyond Fitness spring 2008 entitled “Pilates for the Sports Guy” written by Kerrie Lee Brown, there is a quote from Master Stott Pilates instructor John Garey: “I’ve heard from many athletes that when they take Pilates, they start to think about their body and it’s function differently. In particular, they start thinking about their “centre” or “core.” Ultimately they find that they transfer all that they learn in the studio to the playing field-often subconsciously. Pilates makes athletes get back in touch with their basic training principle and therefore expands on what they already know. The benefits are amazing-increased power, strength and mobility.”
The Winter Olympic athletes are also no stranger to Pilates. Ice skaters have been practicing Pilates for years. In 1980, Robin Cousins was the competitive figure skater Olympic champion, and in 1984 Torvill and Dean became the highest scoring figure skaters of all time at the Winter Olympics. All of them trained with Alan Herdman- who is famous for bringing Pilates to the UK. More recently Rachael Flatt who is from La Jolla just won Gold for Womens figure Skating, she incorporated both Pilates and yoga in her training program. Freestyle Skier and Canadian silver medalist Jennifer Heil regularly practices Pilates. Julie Manusco is the most decorated US skier in history and she does Pilates privately with an instructor that is a former ski racer in Japan. US 2010 Gold Medalist Hannah Kearney does Pilates Reformer classes several times a week at her local fitness gym.
There are many professional golfers practicing Pilates, like Tiger Woods, Butch Harmon, David Duval, and Annika Sorenstam to name a few. So many in fact, that there are certifications for instructors to specialize Pilates for golf. A couple of us at the UTC Health Fitness Center Gym have participated in probably the most famous which is called “Hole in One Pilates,” originated by Sarah Christensen.
Head coaches everywhere are recognizing that the powerful combination of core strength, increased flexibility, efficient posture and mindfulness of movement are providing athletes with that winning edge.
Lucy Garcia
TSC Pilates Manager
Tags: Fitness Gym, Pilates, UTC Health Fitness Center Gym, Yoga
The Sporting Club