In the beginning of the spreading of Pilates’ method, it became very popular with the dance community, as it offered dancers an opportunity to recover from injuries, while maintaining and improving their technique. Pilates promotes increased flexibility, muscle endurance, strength and proprioception, encouraging the body to move with ease and efficiency, combating common sports-related stress and injury. 

From weekend participants to elite professionals, athletes who are looking for a competitive edge, are discovering that Pilates helps you:

• Hit or throw the ball farther

• Run faster

• Jump higher

• Balance better

• Increase explosive strength

• React more efficiently

• Improve flexibility

• Prevent injury

Considering the technique of your sport and your goals, our Pilates sports programmes are designed to build better control and strength in maintaining the correct movement patterns during prolonged periods of time, leading to maximum performance, better results and less risk for injury. Developing better awareness of your body as an athlete will help to prolong participation in your chosen sport, avoiding frequent time out and delayed return due to fatigue or pain.

Pilates can re-educate the muscle balance in your technique, identifying the weaker muscle groups from the stronger, more developed ones and there is a strong emphasis on developing the core muscles (abdominals, back muscles and pelvic floor) which support the spine and joints, creating a stable “centre” and powerful extremities. 

However, Pilates is also extremely effective in exercising the mind, particularly for those who participate in sports professionally or competitively, as the method improves mental clarity, visualization and concentration. The focus on breathing encourages increased lung capacity and supply of oxygen to the body during strenuous movement. 

By approaching exercise in an anatomically efficient way, Pilates can help to avoid injury and prolong exercise duration, therefore achieving greater, longer-lasting results. Pilates can offer a range of pathways into the method for clients who are looking to compliment and challenge their current training programme and create a better mind-body connection.

Central Balance is currently working with a number of clients who have sports-specific programmes. These include Climbing, Swimming, Cycling, Dance (Ballet, Contemporary and Ballroom), Football, Golf, Boxing, Horse-Riding, Valley ball, Kayaking, Sailing, Skiing, Snowboarding, Tennis and Triathlon.