Working all planes with Cyclists

/ True Pilates Sydney Studio/

It is common knowledge that muscle imbalance leads to dysfunctional movement and inefficient energy output. This article explores how working muscle balance through exercises such as Pilates can give cyclists more power and energy reserve to push longer and harder on their rides.

Cycling works on a unilateral plane — frontal plane, meaning the movement of the legs and hips work in a forward motion. The disproportion energy output of cycling builds the body unevenly. The lower half — quadriceps/ thighs, calves, buttocks (gluteus maximus) — becomes strong; while the upper torso — shoulders, pecs, upper and lower back — is notably weaker. As this trend grows so does the muscle imbalance. It is usually obvious through distortion in muscle mass or postural integrity.

The disproportion energy output of cycling builds the body unevenly

Cycling Energy output in the legs — extract from Physiology & anatmony the5krunner.com

Cycling Energy output in the legs — extract from Physiology & anatmony the5krunner.com

Pilates in conjunction with cycling is a great combination on many levels.

A. The ultimate premise of Pilates is working the ‘powerhouse’ — abdominals, buttocks, lower back and hips. Connecting the anatomy trains and working the body globally to draw strength from the abdominals will give cyclists more energy resource and power.

B. Pilates works on multi-dimensional planes: frontal (Coronal), transverse, and sagittal. This means the body is exercised uniformly and without bias.

Bodyplanes

C. It focuses on lengthening muscles with stretch & resistance training — keeping muscles lean without building bulk.

I am not a cyclist myself, however I do have clients and friends that are part of the lycra-wearing, coffee-drinking, strava-logging adrenalin junkie group. My advise to them is the same as to any exercise enthusiast — a body that moves with better co-ordination, control and strength will equate to more power, energy and speed!


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Yung Ok Yoo

I spent most of my academic years studying Fine Art in various disciplines. I completed my Post graduate in Visual Arts majoring in Photography and minored in drawing. I continued this line of study into Visual Comunication and further my art skill base with Jewellery and Object making. During this time, I worked on commissioned paintings for corporate, commercial environments as an Interior consultant and decorator to which I also was commissioned to paint for for Private collections. My historical professional background stemmed in the hospitality industry - where I managed restaurants. It was during this time that I found Pilates having injured my back at work. In 2008, I started my apprenticeship under the tutelage of Master Teacher trainer Cynthia Lochard (2nd Generation teacher). My training was rigorous with culmative observational hours, training and practiced teaching of over 1000 hours before certifying. Since my Pilates certification in 2009, I maintain my weekly session with Cynthia Lochard and travel to New York every two years (most recently October 2014) to partake in intensive training at the Head Quarters for Romana's Pilates at True Pilates New York originally know as Drago's. It is here, I continue my tutelage with Master Teacher Trainers Jerome Weinberg & Cynthia Shipley who worked closely with the late Romana Kryzanowska herself. In NYC - October 2014 - I also had a chance to work with Peter Fiasca Founder of Classical Pilates. As well as NYC, I have travelled to Singapore, Paris, London and trained with international teachers. In 2013, I opened True Pilates Sydney Studio, because I felt there were very few Pilates studios in Sydney that focused on the True Pilates Method - hence I named the studio 'True Pilates Sydney'. Through my own teachings I hope to inspire, train and educate others in the art of Pilates as I have been inspired in my own training and journey.