Pilates recommendation for cycling

Beastwooduk

Hi all, can anyone recommend a good website or DVD etc for pilates exercises or even in a cycling mag.? Seems to be a lot of info out there so if anyone can narrow it down it would be appreciated
Tia
Dave

Matchstick Man

You could go to a local class. You'll be surrounded by burds and the occasional gay bloke

imposter2.0

what would be the purpose of going to a pilates class - in cycling terms ?

Beckers62

Pilates improves your core strength. It's mainly a workout for your transverse muscle, which is the muscle that controls your diaphragm

I did 3 courses of 10 sessions years ago when I was playing a lot of squash and doing a lot of mountain biking. I can only recommend it

imposter2.0

Beckers62 wrote:

Pilates improves your core strength. It's mainly a workout for your transverse muscle, which is the muscle that controls your diaphragm

right - but why would your core strength need improving? Or was it deficient in some way, because of injury or other issues?

Spender

In general cyclist with poor core strength use a lot more energy. Good core strength helps with a good stable cycling position. All other things being equal, a cyclist with good core strength will cylcle faster, longer and in more comfort than one with poor core strength.

imposter2.0

Spender wrote:

In general cyclist with poor core strength use a lot more energy. Good core strength helps with a good stable cycling position. All other things being equal, a cyclist with good core strength will cylcle faster, longer and in more comfort than one with poor core strength.

Does cycling itself not improve core strength then? And if it doesn't, shouldn't that imply that improved core strength (over and above what cycling already provides) is not really necessary?

Beckers62

When I first started using clip in pedals and cleats it threw by back out massively

I went and had a short series of intensive sports massages. It was my masseur who recommended the Pilates. He was right. A number of Pilates exercises also include stretching, which is always a good thing

Spender

In my opinion Pilates augments any core work done on the bike.

imposter2.0

Beckers62 wrote:

When I first started using clip in pedals and cleats it threw by back out massively

Surely that suggests poor setup, rather than any particular weakness in the core? Unless you had back problems prior to switching to clipless?

Spender wrote:

In my opinion Pilates augments any core work done on the bike.

Nothing wrong with a bit of augmentation - but I'm interested to know more about how it improves your sustainable power, which you implied earlier?

Matchstick Man

Imposter wrote:

Beckers62 wrote:

When I first started using clip in pedals and cleats it threw by back out massively

Surely that suggests poor setup, rather than any particular weakness in the core? Unless you had back problems prior to switching to clipless?

Spender wrote:

In my opinion Pilates augments any core work done on the bike.

Nothing wrong with a bit of augmentation - but I'm interested to know more about how it improves your sustainable power, which you implied earlier?

Do you bang your head against a brick wall in real life too?

imposter2.0

Matchstick Man wrote:

Imposter wrote:

Beckers62 wrote:

When I first started using clip in pedals and cleats it threw by back out massively

Surely that suggests poor setup, rather than any particular weakness in the core? Unless you had back problems prior to switching to clipless?

Spender wrote:

In my opinion Pilates augments any core work done on the bike.

Nothing wrong with a bit of augmentation - but I'm interested to know more about how it improves your sustainable power, which you implied earlier?

Do you bang your head against a brick wall in real life too?

no, but I'm thinking of giving it a try...

Matchstick Man

You should definitely try it. My chiropractor told me it increases sustainable power

imposter2.0

Matchstick Man wrote:

You should definitely try it. My chiropractor told me it increases sustainable power

Spender

Why don't you do a bit of research yourself or even try some regular sessions to see if it makes any difference to you. Then you can give your opinion on it instead of just questioning others opinions?

imposter2.0

Spender wrote:

Why don't you do a bit of research yourself or even try some regular sessions to see if it makes any difference to you. Then you can give your opinion on it instead of just questioning others opinions?

I thought that's what forums were for ? I havent tried it, hence the questions. Presumably you have tried it - or you wouldn't have given your opinion. I just wanted more info on how pilates could improve my sustainable power, which is what you implied earlier. Presumably you know the answer, or you wouldn't have said it ?

bigjim

Pilates cured my back problem. The Pilates instructor at the gym is a very keen road cyclist. She says it is particularly good for posture on the bike. Getting down and staying on the drops if needed for example.

imposter2.0

bigjim wrote:

Pilates cured my back problem. The Pilates instructor at the gym is a very keen road cyclist. She says it is particularly good for posture on the bike. Getting down and staying on the drops if needed for example.

But I can already stay on the drops - and I've never been to a pilates class ? I'm just trying to understand how it will help..

Matchstick Man

Imposter wrote:

bigjim wrote:

Pilates cured my back problem. The Pilates instructor at the gym is a very keen road cyclist. She says it is particularly good for posture on the bike. Getting down and staying on the drops if needed for example.

But I can already stay on the drops - and I've never been to a pilates class ? I'm just trying to understand how it will help..

No you're not; you know there's absolutely no evidence that it will (anecdotes from pilates instructors notwithstanding), and you are gently mocking those who are unable to discern BS at 20 paces. I thoroughly approve.

imposter2.0

Matchstick Man wrote:

Imposter wrote:

bigjim wrote:

Pilates cured my back problem. The Pilates instructor at the gym is a very keen road cyclist. She says it is particularly good for posture on the bike. Getting down and staying on the drops if needed for example.

But I can already stay on the drops - and I've never been to a pilates class ? I'm just trying to understand how it will help..

No you're not; you know there's absolutely no evidence that it will (anecdotes from pilates instructors notwithstanding), and you are gently mocking those who are unable to discern BS at 20 paces. I thoroughly approve.

dam - I thought I was being subtle..

The question is still valid though - if any pilates advocates would care to answer ?

Spender

No not very subtle. However you are right I don't have the empirical evidence as I haven't done the double blind testing. And my opinions are based on my own experiences. However I do know Olympic cyclists who use it to help improve their flexibility and strength. I would guess they are not being sponsored by Pilates teachers so wouldn't do it if it wasn't having some form of performance enhancement.

From British cycling:

"How does Core Stability work?
The action of riding a bike requires cyclists to generate force to turn the pedals, and to withstand the forces acting on their body caused by the pedalling action. Both ‘generating' and ‘withstanding' forces are an essential part of cycling. The muscles required to withstand and generate these forces can be are categorised into two broad groups:
The mobilisers, which move limbs (e.g. the quadricep muscle group).
The stabilisers, which work at a low level to hold and control movement (e.g. transversus abdominus).
The ability of the body to stabilise motion is known as functional stability. Stability can influence many factors, such as power output, speed, flexibility, agility and strength. Exercising control by maintaining stability can help a cyclist achieve performance gains in one or more of these areas."

"Sometimes, an expert will suggest a structured lesson to support the rider's Core Stability training and development. This may mean attending a Pilates, yoga or specialist core workout class; all of which have the advantage of guiding the rider through the various steps"

Jahmoo

Well that sounds good to me, my core is not great so any help would be good. I ride a Hybrid because of a Prolapsed Disc, but if could get my core working better I maybe able to try the Road Bike out again. If you find a good programme let me know, happy to try it out

YIMan

Imposter wrote:

Spender wrote:

Why don't you do a bit of research yourself or even try some regular sessions to see if it makes any difference to you. Then you can give your opinion on it instead of just questioning others opinions?

I thought that's what forums were for ? I havent tried it, hence the questions. Presumably you have tried it - or you wouldn't have given your opinion. I just wanted more info on how pilates could improve my sustainable power, which is what you implied earlier. Presumably you know the answer, or you wouldn't have said it ?

It is not what was implied earlier. What was suggested was that improved core strength would improve it.

imposter2.0

YIMan wrote:

What was suggested was that improved core strength would improve it.

Precisely. I am trying to get a better understanding of how it would improve it.

gareth2134

Imposter wrote:

Beckers62 wrote:

Pilates improves your core strength. It's mainly a workout for your transverse muscle, which is the muscle that controls your diaphragm

right - but why would your core strength need improving? Or was it deficient in some way, because of injury or other issues?

Core strength is what gives you a balanced output when exerting force. A boxer exerts his power from foot through to calf up the leg through the hips and the force is channeled through the arm from the core. Because the core is stronger it helps transfer more of the force from the foot into the arm instead of letting most of the force escape through other channels. Also to remember strong core helps the body with correct posture as well.

So cyclists, golfers, tennis players all sport mostly train core as it helps with posture which in turns gives you good stability and tunes up your accuracy and power, same with people riding horses.

imposter2.0

gareth2134 wrote:

So cyclists, golfers, tennis players all sport mostly train core as it helps with posture which in turns gives you good stability and tunes up your accuracy and power, same with people riding horses.

Right - so you you're saying that riding a bike is not, in itself, sufficient training for a cyclist's core muscles?

gareth2134

Imposter wrote:

gareth2134 wrote:

So cyclists, golfers, tennis players all sport mostly train core as it helps with posture which in turns gives you good stability and tunes up your accuracy and power, same with people riding horses.

Right - so you you're saying that riding a bike is not, in itself, sufficient training for a cyclist's core muscles?

I didn't say that and riding a bike does train the core but it's not a primary target it's not even secondary but it does get used during the time in the saddle so obviously does improve but like lactic acid build up the less strength the core has the quicker you lose posture when you tire so improving the core will keep posture good meaning everything else is ticking along nicely.

YIMan

No, you are missing the point again. They are saying Pilates can help improve core strength. Nobody is saying everyone needs to do it.

Vice verse are you saying cycling is the only training a cyclist needs? So no-one benefits from strength training, Pilates, plyometrics, cross training, stretching or anything else?

imposter2.0

gareth2134 wrote:

I didn't say that and riding a bike does train the core but it's not a primary target it's not even secondary but it does get used during the time in the saddle so obviously does improve but like lactic acid build up the less strength the core has the quicker you lose posture when you tire so improving the core will keep posture good meaning everything else is ticking along nicely.

Sounds to me as though you are saying that cycling, in itself, is not sufficient training for the core. Otherwise, why else would you lose posture when you tire? If a 'stronger' core is desired, what about the fact that muscular strength and muscular endurance are not related?

Have to say though - when I'm tired, my posture is usually the last thing I'm bothered about.

imposter2.0

YIMan wrote:

Vice verse are you saying cycling is the only training a cyclist needs? So no-one benefits from strength training, Pilates, plyometrics, cross training, stretching or anything else?

I haven't said anything like that, I don't think. Although strength training sounds interesting. Why would I need that?

gareth2134

Imposter wrote:

gareth2134 wrote:

I didn't say that and riding a bike does train the core but it's not a primary target it's not even secondary but it does get used during the time in the saddle so obviously does improve but like lactic acid build up the less strength the core has the quicker you lose posture when you tire so improving the core will keep posture good meaning everything else is ticking along nicely.

Sounds to me as though you are saying that cycling, in itself, is not sufficient training for the core. Otherwise, why else would you lose posture when you tire? If a 'stronger' core is desired, what about the fact that muscular strength and muscular endurance are not related?

Have to say though - when I'm tired, my posture is usually the last thing I'm bothered about.

Imposter all your posts are arguing with people like your a genius or something. When it comes to anatomy and physiology I have forgotten more than what you know, your more of a troll on here not to be taken seriously but instead to amuse us while we all speak about what we like instead of chatting crap to others. Go ask your mum to feed you your bottle now anyway you little goat lmao.