Posted by Devin McGlynn on 4/16/2013 to
Looking to Step It Up in Pilates and work on more advanced exercises?
Here are some tips:
- During the Pilates Hundred, or any exercise in which your feet are straight and lifted up, lower your legs an extra inch or two. This will make it more challenging to keep your core engaged, as your legs are heavy and will be weighing on you the lower you bring them.
- While doing the Pilates Roll Down, roll down slower than usual, and roll up slower than usual. You can count to 8 as you roll down, and then 8 as you come up. Peel each vertebra off of the ground as slowly as you can to make your core work harder and longer.
- After doing Rolling Like a Ball, try the Open-Leg Rocker: balance on your sit bones and lift your legs up. Open your legs as wide as your shoulders, and hold onto your ankles with your hands. Then, engage your core and roll back, then roll up and balance. Repeat 10 times.
Stephanie Mansour, CEO of Step It Up with Steph, is a Health & Fitness Expert and Body Image & Confidence Coach. As a certified personal trainer, yoga instructor, Pilates instructor, and life coach, Stephanie has been featured on CNN, AOL, and more for her realistic and holistic approach to health & fitness. She coaches women through her virtual 30 Day Jumpstart Program, and recently trained her client to lose 83 lbs in 12 weeks on NBC Chicago!