I am constantly looking for a ways to continue my improvement in my sporting endeavors. I believe that my consistency over the past 5 years has allowed me to have gains without changing or introducing too many new things, other than continuing to turn up & train, being consistent. I mean really, swimming, cycling & running makes for a pretty diverse and hectic training schedule. I believe that consistency on its own is nearing the end of its benefit & a plateau is approaching. So reading other blogs, discussing with other coaches & fitness professionals I was at a complete log jam of ideas and very unclear about where to turn next. With goals to achieve this summer I got a little lost in my own ideas of things I could be doing to continue the improvement I have had over the past couple of years.
Then out of the blue, I won a competition entitling me to 10 free session at the brand new Pilates studio that opened up just down the road from my house at Wellington Point:
Studio Pilates – Wellington Point
I have not been a big gym junkie or for that matter ever spent a lot of time inside any gym, I have dabbled with lifting, cross fit and yoga, but the reality is most of my exercise is aerobically driven outside kind of activities! That said, reviewing the benefits of Pilates and my desire to find an X factor to add into my schedule, I have kept an open mind and accepted the prize with enthusiasm!
Let me say this place is NEXT LEVEL. From the introductory class to the app used for booking classes to the crazy 5 star luxurious decor, it’s elegant, (perhaps a little) OTT but just amazing to be apart of (no stinky sweaty smelly towels or equipment here)!
So far I have attended 5 classes and the adaptation from those early classes hurt, it was taking me 3/5 days to recover from a Pilates workout! Last week was my best week, where I felt recovered in 2/3 days, still sore but a lot more manageable.
This studio has 10 reformers (I have nicked named this the ‘torturer bed’) in the room so the class size is limited, this allows the instructor plenty of time to get around to each and every person and check their form, ensuring nobody is exposing them self to unnecessary risk or injury and getting the most out of the class.
Am I noticing a difference, yes! My core strength is definitely improving, which is always an area I neglect or don’t priorities! I mean really isn’t my time better spent in the pool, on the road or pounding pavement? Well yes & no. There is no cheating the time it takes to build a base and improve in these three disciplines. My goals was always to seek improvement by adding to my current schedule, so Pilates is definitely having a fantastic benefit!
Here are a couple of links that I reviewed when weighing up if Pilates was going to help (no scientific study based journals, but enough to convince me that there maybe a benefit for me):
Triathlon Competitor – Pilates offers strength balance benefits to triathletes
Triathlonmag – Pilates strength training
Qpilates – Pilates and triathlon training
If you have never considered it, I recommend it, keep an open mind & try it. From my experience (so far) it has been an exceptional addition to my training program.
If you’re not active at the moment & need some inspiration, follow me on Strava, Instagram and like my facebook page and let’s get back out there swim, bike or running. The biggest regret we can have in life is to not TRI!
Till next time build consistency, keep smiling and live to Tri!
SO, YOU WANT TO BE AN IRONMAN? 
I haven’t done pilates but have done yoga. I didn’t like yoga because you had to focus so much on activating your core. I found it a total waste and that just doing 10min of planks was so much better than just doing a 1hr pilates session. to take it to the next level change volume, frequency and/or intensity. keep it up