PILATES

Pilates and yoga are the same thing, right? Not quite. Both aim to enhance suppleness but pilates is performed using various pieces of kit – including stretch bands and gym balls – while the exercises all involve a continuous flow of movement, compared to the static positions associated with yoga. Founder Joseph Pilates created more than 500 exercises, which science has shown are effective at aiding flexibility. A 2004 US National Library of Medicine study found 47 people who did pilates once a week for two months increased their fingertip-to-floor flexibility by an average of 3.4cm. That could be handy when you’re picking up the match ball having smashed in another hat-trick.

1 “It can be adapted for many positions – forwards can focus on hamstrings to improve speed,” stated Pilates instructor Ray Hassan.

2 “The exercises will also help to speed up your muscle and joint recovery after a match – so you will be fit to play another game sooner.”

3 “Using resistance gear will improve core strength, which is so important for many of the movements that are related to football.”