Should You Do Pilates/Strength/Mobility Work in One Long Session or little and often before or after a Run?

Straight answer: It doesn’t matter.

The most important thing is that you get it done. Whether you prefer breaking it into 10-minute segments or completing one 45-minute session, both approaches are equally effective. Choose what fits best with your schedule and preferences.

Why does this work?
The primary goal of Sports Pilates is to restore joint range of motion and activate the muscles. While running is excellent for cardiovascular fitness, it doesn’t do as much for muscular strength. Over time, without targeted strength or mobility work, your muscles can get “lazy,” failing to absorb the load effectively.

This leaves your joints, tendons, and ligaments to take on too much stress, increasing the risk of injury. I have used the analogy that if you had a friend at a bar and someone starts a fight, they are there to help you. If they are asleep in your bed, you are in trouble!

What about the format—small sessions or one longer one?
The key is activation. The purpose of Pilates is to wake up and engage your muscles so they can do their job properly. Whether you achieve this in several short sessions or one longer workout, the outcome is the same. What matters most is working the muscles hard enough to feel them “burn”—this is what reactivates them.

How much is enough?
Aim for a total of 35–45 minutes per week. How you break that up is completely up to you.

Why vary your routine?
With our courses, you’ll notice we vary the classes each week. This is intentional—different aspects of strength, mobility, and activation need to be addressed, and it’s hard to cover everything in a single session. Avoid sticking to the same exercises every week. Mixing things up keeps you constantly challenged and ensures all muscle groups get the attention they need.

The bottom line: Find what works best for you, stay consistent, and keep challenging yourself with a varied routine!