Have you been bitten by the running bug?
About to run the Bridge to Brisbane or training for a marathon? Or do you just love running for your regular dose of cardio? Whatever your goals are… you’re a runner!
Simply put, running involves a repetitive series of movements that often leads to muscle imbalances, namely overdeveloped hip flexors and weak gluteal muscles and hamstrings. Running is also high impact and can cause a lot of stress on your ankle, knee and hip joints. Injuries to these joints are common in those who run regularly and/or long distances, and covering more kilometres generally leads to more injuries.
When you take on a new challenge, like your first Bridge to Brisbane, you need to ensure that your training regime incorporates exercises that compliment running, and which build strength in the right muscles. Take a look at any online marathon training program and you can be sure it will include regular core stability and strength training.
The Runity program is the answer!
The Runity Running Program is a unique running technique training program developed to help people get back to running pain-free and achieve their running goals. Running is one of the most natural forms of movement for humans, however, many runners struggle with injuries that inhibit their ability to perform.
The physiotherapists at The Body Refinery work with the latest scientific knowledge and technology. Surrounded by a community of runners and movement professionals, they continually deepen their knowledge and understanding of running biomechanics.
The Runity Program involves a video analysis of your running technique and an exercise-based rehabilitation program to improve your running technique, cadence and tempo. You will learn about the running fundamentals in order to improve your technique, which will make you run more efficiently and biomechanically safer.
Pilates can help too!
Pilates offers a massive repertoire of exercises that focus on pelvic stability, movement control and motor awareness. Since all of the major muscles of running attach to the pelvis, it makes sense that having a stable (pelvis) core will optimise the efficiency and power output of these muscles and lead to better performance.
Moreover, performing Pilates exercises in standing and running positions facilitates maximal carryover to your running stride. Learning how your body should look and feel in standing position, and during movement, is the first step to improving your running technique and enhancing your performance.
For the runner, Pilates has the added benefits of improving balance, and optimising hamstring and calf length, thus enhancing foot and ankle stability.
The Pilates exercises that are most appropriate for you will largely depend on what you are trying to achieve, so appropriate exercises can be selected to: help manage/rehabilitate an existing running injury and/or to improve performance.
So if you are preparing for the Bridge to Brisbane, or a similar event (Gold Coast Marathon) , and you want to get to that start line in peak condition (and injury free), Pilates can help you get there!
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Join The Body Refinery and let Pilates help you reach your goals!
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