Does Pilates really help improve core stability?

Orthe's Daystars

Orthe's Daystars

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Am backing a young NF gelding and all going well until starting to canter:(

Been a long time since I rode something that needs me to be able to balance & sit still with independent hands. I'm 54, 2st overweight & have a half knee replacement :o. (I can hear the cries of sympathy for my poor pony already!)

Fortunately he is built like a brick *****, has been in long slow fitness building program since I got him last June and of the 2 of us is in MUCH better shape. That is no excuse for my wobbiliness!!!!:eek:

So, after biting the dust 3 times in one lesson my longsuffering instructor decides "You - Pilates - Now" She has seen several pupils improve their balance, effectiveness of seat and all round ability.

Have enrolled in local Beginners class - Lesson 1 felt pleasant, not too difficult and no "afterburn". This week our teacher upped the ante & OMG I'm in so much pain!!!! Just wanted to hear if anyone else had tried this and did the end result justify the pain?:o
 
You shouldn't be in pain! Suspect instructor taken you too far too fast. It will def improve your core stability. I had a lesson with a new instructor recently and of my many faults my core strength and upper body stability was not among them :D She could see that I had worked on my core stability and was at the right level. It's worth sticking with but perhaps your instructor needs to take it more slowly with you?

What exercises were you doing?
 

Thanks for the encouragement! Ali2 the classes are run according to the Body Control Pilates system which I believe is good, but with a class of 12 it's hard to get everything right especially as a total Pilates virgin! I think we are working on various stretches & curl ups, plus this week some standing exercises ? The Bow? + slowly coming up onto toes then heels (most of us wobbled over at that point)! Then lying down trying to roll pelvis without moving shoulders etc (at that point my brain gave up)

I shall definitely carry on, but possibly reduce the numbers of repetitions as my body is so unfit! The goal of producing a really nice NF pony that hopefully I can continue competing on is motivation enough. Many thanks:D
 
I'm having one to one Pilates and a really does make a difference. For the first few sessions it is form, form, form and then repetition that counts. My breathing is better and I am finding little muscles I never knew I had.
 
Pilates is brilliant, but echo not letting your instructor push you too far too fast.

I incorporate some Pilates stretches into my pre-riding warm-up.
 
Are there any DVDs that you can recommend?

I'm looking for something to do in the mornings before work; while my husband is working out in the gym and the baby is more amenable to sitting in his playpen...

The Darcy Bussel and 10 minute workout ones get good reviews...?
 
I did pilates for a while and found it very good for improving core strength/stability. I didn't have a horse at the time so couldn't apply it to my riding. Now I've got my mare I'm thinking of starting up again.
 
It is def worth continuing. In the last 18 months I've had knee reconstruction, fractured collar bone and a broken back, hip and leg and have just started pilates and think it's great. But you shouldn't be in pain, achy pain yes but not hurty pain! I go to classes at my gym and sometimes there can be up to 20 people but the instructor will show a simple version of an exercise and then say if you want to make it harder do this, even harder do this......etc. Therefore your working to your own ability. If there's something she doesn't think I should be doing at all shell give me a different exercise altogether. I've been going twice a week for 3 weeks now a d I certainly notice the difference generally. Have you explained to the instructor your injuries and the aim for you doing this? It could be she's just not the instructor/class for you- they all have there own different ways of doing things! Good luck with it :)
 
I do Pilates, it helps, I struggle to sit properly as I have a condition where I'm over flexible. Very over flexible. So I think I'm straight, and I'm actually like a sack of lumpy spuds :o

My friend teaches, and have classes with another girl once a week. It's helped loads.

Also helps that friend is horsey so focuses on exercises to help in the saddle etc :)
 
It is very good for you - provided its taught properly. Sad to say that the pilates classes in most gyms are just far too big for even the best teacher to ensure everyone's using the right techniques and muscles. Rather people are doing toning exercises that look like pilates but are often using different, bigger muscles. So you will get stronger, but not nec in the way the founders of Pilates intended :) By the time you're exercising enough to hurt in the way you describe, there's no way you'll have been able to keep the correct technique. It's no criticism, I know the feeling :D :D

I had some one to one teaching after years of gym pilates classes and dvds, and was astounded at how many teeny tiny corrections I was getting during every movement, down to spotting tension in the jaw or neck which will have affected proper use of the right muscles, and how different and subtle it felt when I was getting it exactly right. I'd really really recommend investing in a couple of one to ones just so you can ensure you know the subtleties of the absolute right way to do things. It seems expensive but would really be worth it :)
 

Thanks for all the suggestions - I think some 1 to 1 is going to be the answer just tell myself that if I can justify all the money spent on pony (dentist, saddle fitter, vet, lessons etc) I can surely spend a bit more to help me ride him better!! :D
 
Pilates was life changing for me. I couldn't ride and now I can ride all I want and do the heavy work. I confess I had private lessons as I had a back problem and was scared of making it worse by doing the exercises incorrectly. I practiced frequently to start with (I couldn't ride so did have time on my hands) and I felt started feeling better after a couple of weeks. I now do it when I feel creaky but will do more in the summer as I will be competing and must be strong enough (in the right way) to do my horse justice. Good luck
 
My 78 year old mum has been doing pilates for 4 years (yoga before that) and her teacher brought her fit, young rugby playing son in to join in for one class and he couldn't do the exercises!!
 
I have done Pilates and it helps but core ball is much better for me. I went to a class and I ached afterwards. I never ache after fitness classes. LOL.
 
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