Why Cyclists Should Incorporate Pilates into Their Training?

Builds Core Strength for Better Stability and Power Transfer

A strong core is essential for efficient cycling performance. Pilates strengthens the abdominals, glutes, and back muscles, ensuring a stable pelvis and torso while your legs generate power. This reduces energy waste, allowing you to put more force into the pedals and ride longer without fatigue. Even cycling legend Sir Bradley Wiggins credited core training, saying:

“Without a solid core, you can’t transfer power efficiently.”

Pilates can also help reduce lower back pain by improving postural endurance and cycling position alignment, making time in the saddle more comfortable.

Strengthens Key Cycling Muscles for Hill Climbing and Endurance

Pilates targets key cycling muscles, including the glutes, hamstrings, quadriceps, and hip flexors. Stronger legs mean easier hill climbs and better power output, helping cyclists conquer New Plymouth’s hilly terrain with less effort.

Pilates also strengthens the neck and shoulder muscles, which can reduce discomfort from leaning on handlebars and prevent neck pain from long rides.

Improves Lower Limb Alignment and Pedal Efficiency

Pilates helps cyclists develop better movement control, leading to smoother, more efficient pedalling. It increases awareness of knee alignment, foot positioning, and hip stability, helping to:

• Optimise pedal stroke efficiency for greater power output
• Reduce knee, hip, and lower back strain
• Prevent overuse injuries that result from poor form

By correcting these movement patterns, cyclists can increase power, endurance, and stability while minimising unnecessary strain on their joints.

Enhances Flexibility for Comfort and Injury Prevention

Cycling can lead to tight hip flexors, hamstrings, and lower back muscles due to the prolonged seated position. Pilates incorporates targeted flexibility exercises to stretch and strengthen these areas, reducing stiffness and discomfort.

For competitive cyclists, greater mobility also improves comfort in an aerodynamic position, reducing muscle fatigue and improving performance.

Why Pilates is Perfect for Cyclists in New Plymouth

Pilates is an ideal cross-training method for cyclists looking to improve strength, endurance, flexibility, and injury prevention. At Physiotherapy@Carefirst in New Plymouth, our expert physiotherapists offer tailored Pilates which can benefit cyclists to ride stronger, longer and pain free.

Ready to enhance your cycling performance?
Book a class today: Pilates@PhysioCareFirst