New workouts: Pilates for Runners

DVD of Pilates for Runners

DVD of Pilates for Runners

Monday, September 9, 2013

Title: Pilates for Runners With Laura Tarbell

What’s the goal? Faster finishes, reduced injury, greater endurance for runners.

Who’s it for? It’s aimed at runners but could be for everyone.

Format: For those unfamiliar with Pilates, the DVD has a seven-minute introduction where Tarbell describes five principles - breath, spine position, shoulder position, posture and precision. With her approach, she hopes to increase a runner’s balance, stabilize joints and help the runner hit new personal bests.

The 60-minute workout is divided into five chapters that can be played individually - warmup, essential abdominal/core work, running form and leg work, intermediate core work and stretching, and balance and cool down. Some of the moves exercisers can expect are variations on sit-ups, planking and leg raises - essentially, plenty of calculated abdominal work. Just when you think you can’t take any more work on your core, Tarbell lets you spend a few seconds in child’s pose.

What’s to like? Tarbell has a calming presence. The workout never feels rushed. In fact, her voice is soothing as she continues to give cues throughout to tweak spinal position and focus on proper breathing. If you’re thinking stronger abdominals and posture alignment would improve your running, this DVD hits that from all areas.

It’s slow, controlled and will increase your awareness of how you move.

What’s not to like? Other than a short chapter on running form and leg work, which mostly includes lunges and some arm movements, Tarbell doesn’t really focus on things that will specifically benefit runners. Outside of the lunges, we could be in any other Pilates class, and for a DVD called Pilates for Runners that’s a missed opportunity to engage with and demonstrate understanding of your demographic on a deeper level.

Necessary gear: Just a yoga mat or a soft surface. Tarbell wore tennis shoes, but you could do all of these moves barefoot.

Credentials: Tarbell is a Pilates instructor certified through the Stott method, which emphasizes natural spine curvature over the more traditional “straight spine” method. She’s also certified as a nutrition and wellness counselor and personal trainer through the American Fitness Professionals and Associates. She operates a Pilates studio in New York and is the mother of two sets of twins.

Price: $15

ActiveStyle, Pages 27 on 09/09/2013