Q: Why does everyone recommend Pilates for horse riders?
Answered by Bonita de Klerk, Pilates instructor
A: Riding requires you to have strong core muscles. The core is made up of a series of abdominal and spine-stabilising muscles. These muscles help keep you upright, strong and stable. These muscles also influence your posture. Pilates is focused on improving physical strength, posture and flexibility and focuses heavily on the core muscles to achieve this. Pilates is therefore excellent for horse riders because the exercises often target our main core areas, as well as make our bodies supple. See if there are Pilates classes offered at your gym, or try joining an independent Pilates group.