Just wondering what the take up might be if we were to organise some morning Pilates during the champs this year to keep our overworked bods all stretched and race tuned?  I was thinking that we might arrange for a 45 minute session at say 8 some mornings, available to competitors, families and general 'support crew'.

Daft idea or pure genius?

GGGGG

Genius, I'll bring me leg warmers!

ned sparrow would be horrified!

and I think that I saw Spud running to the Bar..........................

This is the sort of behaviour that brings the class into disrepute!
Whatever next,    on the water coaching.   tut tut.

Barry - just back from the pub where I get very special coaching from Heron sailors. Pilates - probably finish me off - physically I mean - err

What is this Pilates thing? Does it involve washing one's hands?

Was delighted to read in the British Medical Journal an article published 18 months ago which said categorically that stretching before exercise was harmful and that stretching afterwards had no proven benefit but was probably not harmful.  Since when I have not done any and not come to harm even running upwards of 10 miles or cycling over 60.  Pilates has something of an evidence base for improving back pain but I do not know of anything suggesting it is helpful to sailors.  Have fun!

Pirates in the morning sounds like fun, three cornered hats and parrots, sounds like its right up Jacko's street

I'd be up for getting bendy, miss my pilates lessons!

Please note that Pilates is pronounced to rhyme with "pirates". Don't believe anyone who tells you otherwise.

On a more serious note, I too have heard about the "no need to stretch before exercise" research. However, I don't think that means "no need to warm up", does it? An important difference.

No matter what the experts say, I have proven that my body responds well to stretching AFTER exercise. Dig the garden for the afternoon, or hike hard all day, and I'll ache on the 2nd and 3rd days. To avoid this pain just needs 10 mins of (decent) strecthing at the end of the exercise period. Try it, prove me wrong if you like!

Ok Guys, and if this was your instructor (see link) please show hands for who would be going.

http://www.dietoverview.net/?p=12

Straight after yachting, quick de-rig and then a swift march to the bar. Perfect training. Never did our generation any harm! Warm up with a hot rum and orange.

No, the article (which I have looked for a link but failed to find) suggested that a warm up was helpful, it was just stretching that was harmful.  So going out and setting up the rig for the conditions & putting the spinny up before the race starts should be helpful not sure about all that stressful reaching up & down the start line is though and multiple restarts after recalls whilst getting cold definitely not.

Hmm..

Daft idea then; just thought I'd ask!!

GGGGG