FORM + FITNESS = FUNCTION: GET PITCH-PERFECT TONE WITH CLASSICAL PILATES

Monica G
with Tom D and
Their Very Cute Daughter
(Bohème)

Okay.  We are runners.  We run.  Maybe we cycle on our off days.  Maybe we do some lifting for an upper body workout.  

However often the end result will be a modestly fit, but very misaligned physique.  We end up with strong legs, weak glutes, tight lower backs and overdeveloped quads. 

One of the most overlooked ingredients of a healthy training program for distance runners is the positive development of core torso muscle strength with an evenly balanced approach.  After all, we are runners. We want to run.  We don’t want to spend our time doing sit-ups in every direction…

  

Nonetheless, in the long run (no pun intended) strong abdominal muscles, a flexible lower back, and hamstrings and quads that aren’t shortened will all help keep us on our beloved roads, running stronger and injury free.

  

WHY DOES THIS MATTER?  I JUST WANNA RUN, TOM!!!

Yes, yes, yes. Let’s go Flyers! I know, I know. Until we hit the back wall, the side wall, and then the road… literally.

We know how this…

… leads to this. 

      

WELL, OKAY TOM, WHAT AM I MISSING HERE?

Strong and resilient abdominal, side, and back muscles add a powerful dynamic dimension to the spiraling motion of our spines.  This is particularly important because of the potential for jarring impact that can take place stride after stride after stride during long runs.  As we begin to unconsciously stiffen, we increase the effects of impact and our leg muscles tighten. The tendency then is to pull our lower torso into an imbalanced torque.  You can see this in runners after a hard workout, when they twist and slouch into their lower torso.  When that happens, the nerves in our spine that help us lift our legs are impinged.  If the nerves can’t fire effectively, we cannot run efficiently.

 

Now Let’s Go Flyers – and REALLY Fly!

WHY CLASSICAL PILATES?

Why choose Classical Pilates over some other form of core torso training?  It has several advantages.  Pilates has come to be known for a focus on abdominal muscles, however, the Pilates system is really much more complex than that simple interpretation.

In Pilates, core is defined not only as the abdominal muscles but also the lower back, inner and outer thigh and gluteus muscles.  Even more importantly, what sets it apart is that its primary focus is balanced development.  Through Pilates, we can attain a use of our bodies that is powerful and toned, yet evenly developed and balanced.  

TAKE A MOMENT TO DO SOME 

SELF-OBSERVATION

1)    When you do a hamstring stretch (if you do a hamstring stretch – now be honest!), is one leg more released than the other?

2)    If you turn your torso side to side, can you rotate more to your left or to your right? 

3)    When you run, is your arm swing even?

4)    If you measure the circumference of your right and left thighs and calves, how much of a quantitative difference is there when you compare the two sides? 

If you observe a big difference in any of these areas, Pilates can help you regain an elegantly balanced quality of use that will be an excellent insurance against any future injury.

  

A LONG TORSO IS A BREATHING TORSO

Another focus of Pilates is cultivating and maintaining a continuously lengthening spine.  With strong abs, side, lower- and mid-back muscles working smoothly and evenly together, you will maintain that lengthened spinal release and resilience, even when you are weary during those final two miles on your marathon training long runs. 

In addition, with a lengthening torso you will have much fuller and deeper respiration.  If you are hunched over from fatigue, your lungs, your diaphragm, and your intercostal rib muscles cannot work together to their richest, most expansive capacity.  This lack of oxygen will only lead to further fatigue and a gradually slowing pace.

Click HERE to view a video on the Art of Breathing.

PROPRIOCEPTIVE AWARENESS 

MAKES YOU RUN LIKE A KID AGAIN

Finally, as a runner you should aspire towards cultivating a keen overall kinesthetic sense of yourself — a personal mind/body awareness of your wholeness and integration in motion, something we all had as children. 

When you are running and can clearly observe and sense in yourself when something is just not right, it will help you to be able to choose to make the slight adjustments that are necessary to regain a smooth, flowing and naturally co-ordinated motion. 

Pilates trains you to have this subtle awareness, giving you the expertise to make these delicate and sophisticated adjustments possible.

Good tone means smart strength. Form + Fitness that adds up to truly high quality Functioning.

Wow! I can see the difference, Tom!

   

BIO:  Tom Dessereau is a former Coach of the New York Flyers, a life-long runner, a certified Pilates Instructor, and a shiatsu practitioner.  He and his wife, Monika Gross, are owners of Form Fitness and Function, a fitness studio based in Asheville, North Carolina.  They make frequent trips to teach in New York City. And they also provide their expertise anywhere in the world via Skype. You can take personalized Pilates and AT postural dynamics sessions anywhere your laptop, iPad or Smartphone will go, even on the run!  They have been featured in Vogue, Glamour and Outdoor Magazine.

Tom before Pilates

(1978 NYC Marathon)

Tom after Pilates

(1996 NY Flyers Awards Dinner)

- Tom D

Blogmaster's Note:   Form Fitness and Function (Monika G and Tom D’s studio) offers NY Flyers some discounted services:

• Free intro one-to-one Skype Pilates or Alexander session
• 15% off first package in person sessions in NYC or via Skype
• 15% off first single private in-person session in NYC
• Special rates for individually designed Retreats for Flyers who want to enjoy Asheville and train in the mountains of Western North Carolina

For more information on services for runners from Monika and Tom, including Private Coaching, Training Schedules, Skype and in-person Pilates and AT postural dynamics training sessions, please click HERE. 

 To read what others have said about Tom’s and Monika’s services, please click HERE.

And click HERE to read Monika G’s recent NY Flyer blog entry: WHEN PHYSIO & PHYSICS MEET FREEDOM: THE INCREDIBLE LIGHTNESS OF RUNNING WITH THE ANTI-GRAVITY REFLEX.