One of my New Year’s Resolutions for 2010 was committing myself to cross-training at least two times a week. I’ve read all about the benefits of cross-training (injury prevention, active recovery, overall running fitness improvement, etc) and have really wanted to up my game as a runner. Running is my favorite form of exercise, so it’s been pretty difficult so far for me to find a cross training activity that is both beneficial and that I actually enjoy.

As fate should have it, my cousin and her sister in law to be, invited me to go this past weekend to a “hardcore pilates” class. To me, the term “hardcore pilates” sounds like a contradiction in terms, and pilates in general seemed like an overly girly and frou frou activity – but this was before I knew what I was in store. We visited the Hardcore Pilates Studio in Studio City for a one hour session. Pilates focuses a lot on resistance, stretching and core strengthening. This was also my first time being introduced to a pilates machine (which looks like a medieval torture device or an doctor’s examining table). Every class at the studio is different but you are basically taken through a series of exercises work outs for your legs, arms, core, etc. The exercises involved pulling on chords, bars and pushing yourself on a bench very similar to a rowing machine.

After the hour was over I felt great. The instructor Sarah was very good about  checking in to make sure that we had our form in order (spine was straight, not arching our backs, etc.) so the class also got me to check in and really think about my running form when I was out on the road. The next day, my abs and arms were pretty sore – which is amazing considering how little pilates makes you sweat. The soreness is also a big selling point in getting me to start trying out pilates as one of my cross training activities (and reminds me about the importance of stretching).

Here’s an informative post about pilates for runners.