As someone who used to run frequently as my main form of exercise other than riding, I wasn’t overly sure about the idea of Pilates when it was first suggested to me by Team Physio, Victoria Kahn. Although I didn’t know a lot about Pilates, I was rather quick to judge and believe that I wouldn’t particularly enjoy it. I had already tried many different types of exercise post-accident which didn’t work for me for a variety of reasons. I didn’t really enjoy gym workouts as it was challenging seeing a number of people running on treadmills, weight training programs were a bit too repetitive and uninteresting for me, I never enjoyed swimming even before my accident, and even when I tried working with a Personal Trainer, they seemed too restricted in what I could work on physically due to my disability. So to sum up, none of these activities were particularly motivating for me and I therefore figured there was no harm in giving Pilates a go. I can now honestly say that not only do I love it, it has changed my world. My balance, strength, core control and overall fitness have improved immensely and I don’t know what I would do to equal this kind of exercise if I was to stop.
When I tell people I do Pilates I think they have difficulty grasping what exercises I am actually able to do as a paraplegic, and at first I probably had similar judgements. When I started with my trainer Chloe Reid from Healthwise Physiotherapy and Pilates, I was surprised at how quickly she got me doing a variety of exercises to engage my entire upper body. According to Chloe, “Clinical Pilates is a low impact exercise that works to improve your core strength, posture, flexibility and overall body biomechanics. Through Clinical Pilates, we utilise our physiotherapy skills to tailor a program that works to achieve the clients particular goal- whether this be for injury rehabilitation or prevention, posture or for sport and activity enhancement. In Emma’s case- we have been working on her core strength, sitting posture and balance and working to tie this into improving her riding performance.”
By working through a number of movements we quickly figured out my strengths and weaknesses, and areas that we can really work on to improve. Pilates works the body in a way that pushes you to different limits without over weight bearing. It has been under 12 months since I started Pilates and my riding confidence has improved out of sight. I am not only physically stronger through my core but it has made me acutely in tune with my body and I have really learnt how to control its movements. When riding horses this is imperative. Everything we do isn’t with brute strength and muscle, but with the ability to control small muscle groups effectively. It is about being able to stabilise your body’s core and maintain balance while at the same time having refined coordination of the aids.
For me as a para rider balance is one of my biggest challenges and I would think that this is the case for many able bodied riders as well, whether they want to admit it or not. I often lean too far back when riding because this is where I find it easiest to balance. However, since starting Pilates the amount I tilt back has been significantly reduced. Every exercise I do in Pilates is constantly testing my balance and forcing me to use my core to help stabilise myself, which directly relates to what is required of us when riding. When there is a problem with balance there is most likely a weakness with ones core or the control of their core. By improving this while off the horse, you will become much more effective on the horse. Your riding will become smoother and communication with the horse less interrupted and therefore clearer.
Chloe also incorporates a number of stretches into my workout which really optimises my performance. I often get tight through my lower back from riding so we add in a quick session on the “Wunda Chair” and I feel more free and loose through all of my everyday movements. Often you don’t realise how restricted you are until you stretch.
I use Pilates as an overall body workout but it also mentally keeps me focused and motivated. After a Pilates session I feel energised, relaxed through my body and keener than ever to improve my riding. There is always something all of us can do to improve; no rider is ever 100% perfect so we must always strive for better.
With only four weeks till Sydney (my last Rio selection event) I am now training harder than ever. Happy riding everyone and stay tuned for more as I continue my #RoadToRio!
