Pilates for Rowers
Pilates can help to refine your stroke by training your body for efficiency and control as it undergoes repetitive movement with high resistance and extreme fatigue. Imbalances, weakness, and postural problems take energy away from the drive. The stability, precision, and balance Pilates can provide leaves you with more energy available for your stroke and supports joint and disk strength.
What we do
Fascia Focused
We discuss what fascia is and how to train to support fascial stability in the spine and explosiveness through the drive
Pilates Mat Class
We work through an hour long Pilates Mat class focusing on exercises that support the stroke including spinal flexion, shoulder stability, and rotation.
Force Transmission
We learn about force transmission through the stroke and how to utilize each phase of the stroke for overall efficiency and power.
Why Pilates?
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Pilates is a method of movement developed in the early 1900’s by a man named Joseph Pilates following the principles of concentration, control, centering, breath, flow and precision.
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Pilates aims to strengthen the body equally with emphasis on core strength and is specifically tailored for added balance, stability and better posture. This will could help you refine your stroke and may even make your boat go faster!
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The repetitive forward and backward and rotational movement of rowing and sculling puts a lot of pressure on the lumbar spine, increases tension in the hip flexors, and lengthens the thoracic stabilizers.
This movement with high resistance and extreme fatigue challenges the body; any weakness, muscle imbalances or postural problems will take energy away from the stroke.
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Pelvic stability combined with power throughout the stroke will prevent shifting in the seat which (knocks the boat off) forces your spine out of alignment, potentially causing joint and disc problems. It’s important to control your pelvis in a neutral position while still performing the stroke correctly.
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Pilates helps you develop a strong core, good flexibility, maximise the rock-over and add length to your stroke, as well as making you more robust. A stable spine means you will use less energy correcting your posture – leaving more for producing power and moving the boat.