I'm Flexible But I Can't Do Wednesdays

I know its a dad joke but seeing as I am a dad I can get away with it.

Anyone, this post is about equipment that I don't take with me, namely because its not mine and its a massive piece of kit.

Let me introduce you to the Pilates Reformer Machine or is it Reformer Pilates?

Anyway, about a month ago I started going to Pilates once a week with my good lady Brenda at Sano Studio in Morningside. Its a cracking studio situated on Millar Crescent just off Morningside Road.

I decided to go to try something different to help with strengthening and hopefully toning up this old chassis of mine.

After teaching karate for twenty odd years, the legs, knees and hips are starting to feel old. Anyway, whats the point of this post?

Demo for Edinburgh Gunners at Murrayfield (before the name change)

Today we were working on the core and as I was doing some of the exercises I suddenly realised how these exercises will benefit me whilst riding the motorbike.

Yes, before someone says it, they will help me get the strength to pick my bike up when I drop it - there got it in first.

We all sit aside out steeds of the road and there are times when we need to grip that tank that sits between our legs.

We can use our knees and inner thighs to hold the bike particularly when:

• Braking, so your weight doesn’t load your wrists and handlebars.

• Cornering, to keep your upper body relaxed and stable.

But don't grip it hard all the time, you need to be able to relax them as well otherwise you will knacker yourself out and not enjoy the ride.

Pilates offers resistance and flexibility training for the whole body but can focus a lot on the legs, inner thighs and so on. When lying down a lot of the pressure is taken off your back and it makes you a bit more relaxed.

The Reformer machine helps control stretches because you are in control of the ropes that are pulling. Now I know what some of you are thinking, and yes as a martial artist I have seen Kickboxer with JVD.

To answer your question no that isn't me acting as JVD's stunt double and no you don't do that on the Reformer but you get the idea. It's load bearing and it's controlled by the ropes which you control.

I'm getting on a bit and sometimes whilst on the bike I used to cramp up, particularly up in the thigh/hips. Since doing pilates classes I've seen a marked improvement not only in my fitness but my flexibility and strength.

I guess what Im saying is that we look after our bikes, we maintain them, clean them and make sure they are in tip top condition. But what about ourselves?

If you fancy giving the Reformer Pilates a test run, get in touch with Heather at Sano Studio in Morningside (https://www.sanostudio.co.uk/) and go for a try out.

Its for all ages and sexes, they also have other classes for the likes of Kettlebells, and massage therapy rooms, sports and the relaxing ones (that's my sort of massage, if you find a knot, leave it as I can't handle the pain).

Go check it out, will probably see you there if you do.......

Seize the day, not the hip joint.