If you're a regular runner, you might feel that Pilates doesn't bring you the same endorphin rush or that you can't possibly be working out when you're not getting sweaty.

So, it's true, you probably won't get as sweaty in a regular class; nor are you likely to get very out of breath when compared with running.

That doesn't mean that you're not working in Pilates. The difference is that, when compared with running, we're doing it in lots of different directions and planes of movement.

You'll find that we use many of the same muscles, but because we're working them in different positions versus running, and with a different focus, you will build strength there.

For example, we do loads of exercises that work your glutes - an essential set of muscles that drive your running speed. 

For glute work, I love leg pull variations because depending on which direction you're facing (front or back) you're either working your glutes or your hip flexors with the other one providing an isometric activation.

In Pilates, we're also actively focusing on the range and quality of movement by ensuring that all the other muscles attached to your pelvis are enabling your glutes to be effective. A fabulous exercise for this is side kick lying.

Oh hey rowers, wanna be more like James Cracknell and Matthew Pinsent? Then add Pilates to your training regime.

When you're rowing, you're using your arms and legs to push the oars through the water. And to be able to do that effectively, you need to ensure that the energy that you generate, particularly through your legs, is not being lost.

You do that by ensuring that your stabilising muscles - your core muscles - are doing their job properly and by maintaing a good posture.

Traditional training regimes for rowers tend to focus on the bigger muscles - like legs and glutes. 

Pilates is a great add on to your training because we spend so much time focusing on the smaller stabilising muscles and posture.  This enables your body to be better balanced and reduces potential injury risks too.

You'll soon notice that you're better able to maximise the power your legs are generating by transmitting that power through your body more effectively. This means that you'll start to improve your speed on the water.

Looking for a good exercise for you? One of my favourites for rowers is side kick kneeling

In this exercise, you're concentrating on keeping your trunk stable as you move your legs. Just like you do when you're rowing. 

Snowsports are primarily lower body workouts - you're using your glutes, quads (front thighs), hamstrings (back thighs), calves, feet and ankles.

Luckily, we do a lot of work that strengthen these muscles. My favourite exercises for the build up to winter holidays, include double leg stretch and thigh stretch which, despite their names, are great to improve quad strength as well as hip flexibility. 

But, as you're moving all the time at speed, you also need to have a strong balance game  to enable you to stay upright and keep your upper body facing downhill as your lower body moves from side to side.

The muscles that you're going to use the most for all of these, are your abs, particularly your obliques (the muscles at the side of your abs).

The best exercise for these are the side lying, side kneeling and side plank series of exercises. 

Oooh, a controversial one. There are always the conversations about whether you're a Pilates or a yoga person.

And the truth is that while they're kind of similar, they're also different and complimentary. In yoga, we tend to hold poses while in Pilates we move constantly.

Many of the exercises that Joseph Pilates included in his classical repertoire do have a basis in yoga - for example during bridge in yoga, we lift the hips from the floor and hold; while in shoulder bridge in Pilates , we lift the hips from the floor, then kick one leg three times, followed by the other.

I am totally not saying one is better than the other.. as I said, complimentary, similar and different. My personal preference, however, remains Pilates because I find that it's more aligned to what our bodies are meant to do - move!

Absolutely no controversy here, Pilates is bloody awesome if you usually lift weights.

And by the way, if you're a woman, please lift weights! You don't need to do power lifting, but you do need to challenge your muscles and bones to make them stronger. 

You will not get bulky without a very conscious and determined effort, so please do not let this be the reason why you don't do it!

If, on the other hand, you're a man who usually lifts weights, please do Pilates! It will challenge everything you think you know about movement!

So, why is Pilates the perfect complement to weight lifting? Firstly, we pay attention to the smaller muscles - rotator cuff, glute medius and minimus (the glute muscles at the side of your butt) erector spinae (muscles that run either side of your spine). These are all the muscles that keep you stable when you're moving.

Firstly, making sure that these stabilising muscles are strong makes you less likely to get injured; secondly, when you're more stable through your joints, it enables you to lift more and with better form.

Earlier, I mentioned challenging what you think you know about movement - that's because chaps (and I know I'm generalising!), you have a tendency to power through exercises because you can! 

Having naturally bigger muscles than women means that you can, theoretically, do body weight movement with little stress.

But with Pilates, you have to concentrate on the control and range of the movement and on everything else that's happening in your body while you move.

This can be more difficult for men because culturally, you're not encouraged to listen to what your body's telling you; and that means it takes a little longer to grow your body awareness.

Once you have that awareness, you're better able to recognise what you need to do more of/ less of in order to improve your performance in whatever other sports/ exercise you're doing. 

Culturally, you're not encouraged to stretch or to  manage your mental wellbeing either! 

In Pilates, you'll find that the work we do will naturally improve your range of movement and flexibility; and regularly taking an hour where all you do is to concentrate on moving well, does wonders for your stress levels!