BENEFITS FOR SPORT

Skiing/snowboarding

Most of us who ski take to the slopes once a year, but after a first day of enthusiastic snowplough turns, we need a forklift to winch us back out again.

While 'ski fitness' classes target the major muscle groups, particularly in the legs, they overlook the core muscles that help to maintain the dynamic, balanced posture essential for safe and efficient skiing. According to Caroline Lalive, the Olympic downhill racer, "Most skiers overtax their big muscles because they haven't learned how to use their core muscles."

Pilates challenges the deep abdominal muscles to support the core and creates a strong, flexible, resilient structure. This is essential to cope with having solid objects strapped to the feet, counteract the twists and turns of the slope, and get up unscathed whenever you take a tumble.

For advanced skiers, activating the body's stabilising muscles helps maintain balance and poise at greater speed or off-piste - so not only will you feel like Franz Klammer with the breeze in your hair, you might even ski like him too.

We recommend combining Pilates with regular aerobic training to build your cardiovascular fitness, so you increase your stamina and improve concentration to keep you alert and safe.