The newest marriage: cycling and pilates!

Regardless of the recent scandals in cycling competition, culminating in the revelations of Lance Armstrong’s human growth hormone indiscretions, there is a growing popularity in the sport of kings. And it’s not just competitive racing. More and more sports enthusiasts are cycling for the joy of movement and the benefits of staying fit, staying toned and losing weight.

The fashionable marriage

Add to cycling the growing popularity of Pilates and we have a match made in heaven. Pilates has been around since the early 1900s, but its growing popularity has increased recently due to the rise of a health-conscious society. Pilates and cycling go hand in hand. The two complement each other in various ways.

The Many Benefits

Pilates develops the core strength that is so beneficial to the cyclist. After all, when you think of the avid cyclist, what comes to mind? The answer: leg strength. Cycling only strengthens the leg muscles, right? No, the whole body is strengthened by riding a bike. In fact, if a cyclist relies solely on the power of his legs, what happens? He becomes wobbly, unbalanced, weak in the arms, and inefficient in his movements. Instead of traveling in a straight and efficient line, he begins to move ineffectively.

Additional benefits

Pilates cures those problems. By toning the core of the body, abdomen, chest and back, the cyclist gains a new balance and all-important efficiency of movement. There are a number of benefits and improvements to the cyclist when he engages in a rigorous or at least consistent Pilates program. Among the many advantages particularly relevant to cyclists are the following:

Elimination of back pain, superior efficiency in the pedaling movement

Improved balance

Improved balance of muscle groups

greater flexibility

More efficient upper body power

Faster recovery of the muscles of the lower body.

Superior Strength of Focused Breathing

Fewer bone injuries due to increased bone strength

Diminishment of any inefficient and involuntary movement that occurs during fatigue.

The processes

Pilates offers a series of processes to strengthen and provide greater flexibility to the knees, lower back, thoracic spine, neck and pelvis, as well as the arms and legs. Pilates stretching provides an added advantage for the cyclist. It helps improve posture and flexibility, which reduces injuries to muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints.

If you’re interested in riding a bike, consider adding Pilates to your daily workouts. There are numerous talented and trained Pilates instructors to be found all over the country, and of course, bike shops are available just about everywhere these days!