Over the past couple weeks I have attempted to integrate some light jogging into my workouts in order to get in more cardio. I used to play soccer and run track, and I loved it. Then over the past several years I was plagued with IT Band Syndrome and a bone spur on the back of my heel from running and other high impact exercises.
Q: Why would I put myself through the pain of running if I received so many intense injuries from it?
A: Pilates exercises have helped to stretch my IT band and build strength in the muscles surrounding my knee. Pilates exercises have also offered me low impact options to build flexibility and strength in my ankle.
My injuries were mostly caused by overuse and muscle imbalances. I was not exercising in a smart way. I was not practicing Pilates regularly. I was doing a lot of kickboxing, bootcamps, and running. There was no balance to my work out and my body suffered the consequences.
Pilates is the perfect complement to running. Let's run through some major benefits of the combination of Pilates and running, and then review Pilates exercises that you can do to aid in your running. These benefits also ring true for cycling and the ellipitical machine.