Rain, rain, go away.
Is the crummy weather keeping you from getting out of your house and to the Pilates studio? As the winter season approaches, there will be some days that you just don’t want to bundle up and leave the house – and we totally get it.
Fortunately, for you, there are ways to keep up your Pilates practice at home when the weather is less than desirable!
The One Hundred. The Pilates Hundred is typically done at the beginning of a workout because it warms up the body to prepare for the remainder of the session. It not only increases abdominal strength but encourages you to breathe deeply and fully into the lungs and torso.
The Shoulder Bridge. The Pilates Shoulder Bridge strengthens the back of the body and increases core control. This exercise also helps increase flexibility in back extension. There are many variations of the shoulder bridge that can spice up your at-home workout. Try placing a ball or magic circle in between your knees to activate your inner thighs.
Swimming. The Swimming exercise strengthens the back of the body, including the hamstrings and glutes. Lie on your stomach with arms reaching overhead and legs straight. Lift and lower opposite arm and leg and let your breath follow your tempo, inhaling for 2-3 strokes and exhaling for 2-3 strokes.
Plank. Planking is a great way to strengthen the abdominals as well as the arms and upper body. Make sure your shoulders are in line with your wrist, your belly is pulled up and in, and you are not sinking in your lower back. Continue to breath in through your nose and out through your mouth as you hold your plank for the appropriate amount of time. This exercise can be done with arms extended or on your forearms. You can also add rotation to your plank for extra oblique engagement.
These are just a few exercises that work a range of muscles in your body and should keep you up to speed in between your sessions. To learn more Pilates Mat exercises, join us for one of our Advance Power Mat Classes. Visit our Schedule or Call Us to sign up now!