Cycling UK Forum

Any of you long-distance tourers out there, both male and female, do Pilates - or do you just rely on beer and dreaming instead?

Nothing better than beer and dreaming.

unless you're Darcey Bussell!

I've done yoga for the last 20 years. Helps avoid injuries I think.

I do pilates, and I find it helps keep my back flexible and strengthen my tummy muscles. I can't say whether it helps with the cycling, as I started pilates first, but I notice the difference if I stop for a few weeks! It varies a lot depending on the instructor, so I'd recommend trying a few different classes before deciding whether you like it. Yoga will give you back flexibility stuff and full body strength, and you can do 'core stability' (whatever that means) on weight machines, but I don't have the motivation to go to the gym. That's why I cycle

As a form of exercise it gets more effective as you get better at it - I suppose they all do, but most people can do the beginners pilates moves without working at all. For example, 'swimming' (an exercise where you start on all fours and then extend the diagonally opposite arm and leg) doesn't sound difficult; the exercise bit is keeping your hips and shoulders in place while you do the exercise, and half the battle is knowing if you're doing it correctly.

good luck!

simonineaston wrote:Any of you long-distance tourers out there, both male and female, do Pilates?

Would LOVE to do either Pilates or Yoga unfortunately (in London at least) its seen as a Yummy Mummy Zone1 past time and priced accordingly.

I've got a book somewhere on Tai Chi which I found excellent for the 6 odd months that I did it but it's fallen by the wayside.

Thanks for reminding me!

Am currently exercising a muscle thinking of Darcey Bussel... come to think of it THAT isn't a muscle

I tried it, it did help my sciatica at the time. You will find yourself in a class of ladies as a token male most likely. Then I found laying on a bed and hugging my knees was a more effective cure and I gave Pilates up. My Mrs loves her weekly Pilates session though.

Al

Yoga, here.

Funny you should post this today, I have my first Pilates class on Friday. I have a problem with my back and legs, not sciatica, which has kept me off the bike for some time and the new gym I've just joined have recommended Pilates, the re-hab class to begin with so I will be interested to see what happens.

al_yrpal wrote:You will find yourself in a class of ladies as a token male most likely

Oh Dear... Don't know if I can cope with that... 'Specially if they're all like Darcey!

Swallow wrote: I have my first Pilates class on Friday.

Good Timing - let us know how you get on - although, as vioforia hints, maybe you won't feel maximum benefit for some weeks.
I only ask 'cos at 58, I'm beginning to feel my age and am wondering (OK, not wondering, I know!) if I need to do some auxiliary exercise to keep fit and flexible. I am (lucky me) built like a whippet at 5' 9" and 9 and-a-bit stone and always have been, but am now getting occasional aches and pains and, crucially, if I don't cycle for a few days, boy, do I notice it when I next get back on the saddle...

I'm on my second glass of beer.

I'm a 63 year old bloke and do Pilates once a week. The other 9 participants are female and aged 40-ish to 82! I have a history of intervertebral disc trouble. It helps with core strength, flexibility and balance..all very important with advancing years.
Stand on one leg with non weight bearing leg flexed at 90 degrees at knee, thigh horizontal, put your arms above your head fully streched up to the ceiling. Now close your eyes.
No I can't do it either!

Oh Jeepers it looks like Hell - I can feel my tummy muscles burning like fire just from looking at this!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckNDq41C7Yo

Yoga for me too. Being then token male is fantastic.

Working away from home for the next few months so I'm killing time in the evenings doing spin classes, pilates and yoga. My weekend cycling buddies are starting to give me funny looks, and when they get their breath back want to know where 'that' came from:-D