A bit wobbly after long runs? Pilates has your back, no really. It’s an enjoyable, low-impact way to keep your body strong, mobile, and balanced, without adding more intensity to your week. And now you can schedule it right into your Runna plan.
Why Pilates Helps Runners
Pilates is a powerful tool for any runner, and it's not just for flexibility. It’s actually designed to strengthen the muscles that matter most for efficient, injury-free running.
Here’s what makes it so effective:
Core strength: Pilates targets your deep core muscles—the ones that support your spine, hips, and pelvis—to help improve posture, stability, and running form.
Mobility and flexibility: Regular practice increases your range of motion, especially in tight areas like hips and hamstrings.
Balance and control: Pilates builds body awareness, joint stability, and coordination. This is crucial for smooth, injury-resistant movement.
Injury prevention: By reducing muscular imbalances and strengthening key stabilising muscles, Pilates can even help prevent common running injuries like shin splints, IT band pain, and runner’s knee, so you can keep chasing your goals.
Active recovery: Pilates supports blood flow and muscle function between runs, helping you recover better and bounce back stronger.
Add Pilates to Your Runna Plan
Pilates is one of the best ways to support your running—and now, you can add weekly sessions directly into your Runna plan.
Our Pilates program is designed to help you move better, recover smarter, and reduce your risk of injury. Whether you’re new to Pilates or looking to stay consistent with your cross-training, you’ll find guided sessions that build strength, flexibility, and body control, all without interfering with your running workouts.
How to Add Pilates to Your Runna Plan
To get started, just head to Manage Plan in the app and add Pilates to your weekly schedule. You’ll get one guided session per week, each around 30-minutes long, led by Coach Christie, our Pilates expert and movement specialist.
Already on a running plan? No problem. Your Pilates progress will be saved across all your running plans, so you can pick up right where you left off.
Choosing Your Pilates Day
You’ll be asked to choose a consistent day for your weekly Pilates session. Sticking to the same day helps you build a rhythm and ensures the work you’re doing builds week over week.
Here are two scheduling options we'd recommend:
Rest day: Add Pilates on a recovery day to gently stay active, build strength, and stretch without extra impact on your joints.
Low-intensity day: Pair it with an easy run day to keep the intensity manageable while still unlocking all the mobility and core-strengthening benefits.
Ultimately, choose the day that best fits your life and your energy levels. You can adjust it any time.
Designed to Progress with You
Our Pilates plan includes 26 structured sessions that build gradually, no matter your experience level. Each week’s session is progressive and tailored for runners, so you can improve steadily without getting overwhelmed. The full series is also available on Youtube, so you can go back and repeat your favorite classes.
Coach Christie leads every workout with clear, supportive guidance focused on functional strength, breath control, and movement quality. You’ll feel more connected to your stride and more in control of your recovery.
The Takeaway
Whether you’re training for a race or simply want to feel better on your everyday runs, Pilates is one of the simplest ways to support your body and stay consistent.
It only takes 30 minutes a week to start seeing the benefits. And with everything built into your Runna plan, it’s easier than ever to stick with it. Give it a go, and feel the difference from the ground up.