Ex-Cyclist Finds Posture Solution: Pilates for Cyclists
Former competitive cyclist Brett Starkowitz, now a Pilates instructor and head of education at Ten Health & Fitness in London, has discovered a solution to the posture and injury issues cyclists often face. Starkowitz, who once aspired to lead the peloton up Alpe d'Huez, found that cycling caused constant lower back injuries due to the specific posture required. He turned to Pilates to combat these issues and now recommends a Pilates-inspired routine for cyclists to maintain mobility and muscle flexibility.
Starkowitz's journey began in Johannesburg, where he dreamt of cycling glory. However, every minute in the saddle took a toll on his posture, leading to regular lower back injuries. Cycling demands a hip-hinge, forward-flexion posture that can cause the spine to round and neglect important muscle groups like the abdominals and mid-back lats. To address these issues, Starkowitz developed a Pilates-inspired routine that includes exercises like the standing roll down, cat-cow, downward dog, kneeling hip flexor stretch with lateral flexion, supine glute bridge, figure-four glute stretch, and knees-bent windscreen wiper. These exercises help improve posture, spinal mobility, core activation, and overall flexibility, benefiting not just cyclists, but anyone who sits for long periods.
Brett Starkowitz's personal experience with cycling injuries has led him to promote Pilates as an antidote for cyclists. His routine, designed to combat the specific challenges cycling poses to the body, can help maintain mobility and muscle flexibility, whether one cycles for sport or commutes to work. By incorporating these exercises into their training, cyclists can improve their efficiency and reduce the risk of injuries.
Read also:
- Smithsonian Team Reveals Faces of Pre-Hispanic Colombians After Centuries
- Virginia Giuffre, Epstein Survivor, Dies by Suicide: Trafficking Survivors Need Long-Term Support
- Dementia: Causes, Prevention, and Support
- Rosselkhozbank's Yakutsk Branch Expands 'Farmer School' to Train SVO Veterans in Agribusiness
