Roll down (in the snow). It was a bit chilly, but here I demonstrate a roll down, a great way to improve spine and back mobility. Roll downs are not appropriate for everyone though, so ask your Pilates teacher first.
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Getting to the Core of the Winter Olympics
The more medals that are won at the Sochi Winter Olympics, the more medal winners come out of the closet and admit a dark secret: they regularly practise Pilates. From medal winners Kaetlyn Osmond to Julia Mancuso, it’s becoming very apparent that core exercises in general and Pilates in particular form a vital part of the athlete’s training. As a Pilates presenter and snowboarder myself, I know from personal experience just how true this is. But why is Pilates so relevant for alpine sports?
Skiing and snowboarding bring their own special demands on the body (check out http://www.skicorestrength.comfor more). If these demands are not adequately considered, then the skier or boarder, whatever their level, will reduce their performance potential, and thus reduce their success and enjoyment. By carrying out a specific Pilates training program, benefits can be gained such as:
· Improved endurance, so ski and board for longer
· Improved strength in the appropriate muscles
· Improved flexibility and agility
· Improved balance and control
· A reduction in the risk of injury by strengthening areas such as the lower back and knee joints and muscles.
The fundamental skills needed to ski or board successfully are balance, rotary movements, edging movements, and pressure control. Most muscles of the lower body are used, as are the abdominal muscles and some upper body muscles. A planned training program carried out during the off-season can make dramatic improvements. Also, warm-up and warm-down routines can help before and after skiing and boarding.
In order to complete a turn, there must be adequate strength in the core, buttocks, lower back and legs. Flexibility is needed, especially in the hips. Pilates gives all of these things. Skiing and boarding places great demands on the lower body, which can lead to overuse injuries. The most obvious place for such injuries is the legs, and especially the thighs. It is not so obvious that the core has a vital role to play in keeping the body upright and balanced, and enabling the hips to turn.
The shoulders and back can also become fatigued, and are prone to falling injuries. Such injuries can be reduced by strengthening these areas. This also applies to hand and wrist injuries, which can again be reduced by strengthening the forearm and wrist.
I will be hitting the slopes of the Spanish Pyrenees this weekend, and whilst I will never have the ability or talent to snowboard for team GB, as a Pilates and functional trainer presenter, I know that my body is giving me the best possible chance to enjoy the mountain experience. If there was a competition for drinking Hot Chocolate, then I would definitely be in with a shout!
Olivia Wilde’s pregnancy Pilates
Olivia Wilde has been spotted several times in the past few days on her way to her Pilates session. The 29 year-old actress has been a Pilates regular for many months and she is looking great!
The benefits of Pilates during pregnancy are numerous. With some modifications, the exercises are a really safe way to keep moving right up to the later stages of pregnancy. Of course Pilates helps with core strength and flexibility. And after baby is born, Pilates in one of the first things you can do to get your body back into shape.
Olivia knows a thing or two!
Good morning Barcelona
Diane Kruger’s hangover cure? Pilates of course!
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After a long night partying with her man Joshua Jackson at the Vanity Fair Oscar party Sunday, Diane Kruger shows her dedication by getting up bright and early Monday morning by going to her Pilates class in West Hollywood.
Diane is 37 years old and looked amazing at the Oscars in her black lace number that showed all her curves.
Coming from Germany, the home of Joseph Pilates, it’s obvious that she knows the wonderful benefits of regular Pilates.
We might not all get to be as famous as Diane, but we can all benefit from regular Pilates, and feel like a movie star! 🙂
Cate Blanchett: Oscar winner and Pilates fan
Big congratulations to Cate Blanchett for winning Best Actress for her role in Blue Jasmine. In interviews Cate has said over the past 10 years that she has been doing Pilates, not always as often as she would like, but is still shows in her amazing look.
Ignoring your passion is suicide
My passion is Pilates 🙂 It took my many years to understand the words in my picture, I made excuses and tried to “conform” with what I thought the world wanted from me. Now I know. And it feels great. It’s not always easy, life is never always easy, but the challenges move us forward and teach us something.
So live and love with passion!
Sagrada Familia, awe-inspiring
Such an amazing video about such an amazing building. Awe-inspiring are words that are overused, but not on this occasion. 2026 will be quite a party 🙂
Reverse Woodchop: Chris Hunt
In the latest of my series of snap videos shot in location at La Molina, here is nice way to use your snowboard to get your obliques and your quadriceps warmed up for Snowboarding.
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Reverse woodchop is an exercise you have probably seen in the gym. There are many ways you can perform it using cables or weights (my favourite is using TRX). The rotation and lift builds a connection between your upper and lower body that is ideal for boarding or skiing, and it also strengthens the core.
If you want to know more about how Pilates can help your snowboarding or skiing then click on www.skicorestrength.com
A Fitness Convention that donates profits to charity? That is a breath of fresh air!
I created Pilates Carnival with one simple aim: to promote and assist with the training of Pilates teachers… all over the world.
My passion
Pilates Carnival does this by providing free places to training courses, conventions and workshops, and by organising Pilates Carnival Conventions for teachers and experienced Pilates followers from all over the world no matter which school of Pilates they come from.
Pilates Carnival Conventions
The purpose of the conventions are to teach, learn, socialise, break down barriers. Share our passion and ideas. There is a full program of classes, workshops and seminars, and lots of socialising. The conventions are totally different to other conventions, with fresh new presenters, fresh new ideas, and working with a children’s charity as a partner, all profits are donated to the charity. Now that is a breath of fresh air? Pilates Carnival is not about egos, and there are no boundaries and no limits to what we can learn together.
Pilates Carnival Barcelona April 2014
The next convention is in Barcelona on 25, 26 and 27 April 2014. The charity partner is Fundació Pere Tarrés. This is a wonderful organisation which is doing amazing work with children of all ages.
If you want to get involved you can join the Carnival community by clicking on our Facebook Page and learn whilst giving at the same time. Or please spread the word by sharing this post with as many people as you can. What better way to make a real difference to you and to others who really need our help?
Thank you.
Chris is an international Pilates and functional training presenter and educator based in London and Barcelona, Spain. He is the creator of Pilates EVO©, bodyFUNC©, and CEO of Pilates Rehab Limited and Sport Core Strength. He also created Pilates Carnival and Fitness Carnival, conventions where all profits go to local children’s charities. He organises fitness holidays and sports holidays in Barcelona, as well as retreats. For more information about training with Chris in Barcelona, please click on Barcelona Bienestar. To learn more about Chris, please read Just who is Chris Hunt anyway? You can also subscribe by completing the form on the this BLOG to receive articles and special offers straight to your inbox.
Chris pays all profits made from this BLOG to his charity partners. More details can be found by clicking on www.chrishuntwellness.com and selecting the “charity partners” tab.