Pilates For Back Pain
A collection of workouts specifically designed for people with spinal limitations including recovering broken bones, spinal disk herniations, and osteoporosis. Twisting is very limited and all of the exercises in this program prioritize the spine staying in "neutral" - a position that doesn't involve flexion or over extension of the spine. These are the best workouts for people who are currently limited in their range of motion, but still want to move their bodies in a healthy and safe way.
Props Needed: Pilates ball, Pilates ring, resistance bands, and (optional) ankle weights
Level: All Levels
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What Is Neutral Spine And How Do I Find Mine?
Neutral spine is the safest position for your spine to be in. Learn how to find yours.
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Inner And Outer Thighs
Train the deep core stabilizers and pelvic floor while firing the entire lower body.
Props Needed: Pilates Ball and a wall
Level: Beginner/ Intermediate
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Low Back Friendly Core
A gentle "lower back friendly" workout that will target all angles of the core- front, back, and sides.
Props Needed: Pilates Ball
Level: Beginner/ Intermediate
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Lower Body Wall Series
A lower body focused series that uses a wall (or mirror) to help guide your alignment and give your body necessary feedback.
Props Needed: Optional Pilates ring and wall space.
Level: Intermediate
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Quick Core
Efficient core workout that targets the glutes, pelvic floor, TVA, and external obliques.
Props Needed: Pilates ball (substitute with a firm small pillow)
Level: Beginner
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Full Body With Self Massage
Enjoy this "neutral spine friendly" full body workout that is safe for all spines. Start with a self massage and finish with a short meditation.
Props Needed: Extra light and medium resistance bands, Pilates ball, and a small massage ball
Level: Intermediate
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Bodyweight Glutes
Glute focused, neutral spine friendly series that uses only body weight or add ankle weights to intensify it.
Props Needed: Optional 1-3lb ankle weights
Level: Intermediate
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Triceps And Core
Fire the triceps and get an added core workout in this efficient series using the Pilates ring.
Props Needed: Pilates Ring
Level: Intermediate
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Inner/ Outer Thigh Focused Lower Body
Enjoy this gentle, but extremely targeted lower body focused workout using the Pilates ring.
Props Needed: Pilates Ring
Level: Intermediate
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Low Back Friendly Full Body
A full body workout that is gentle on the lower back. We stay mostly in a neutral spine position, which is the safest position for the lower back, while playing with some gentle flexion to improve range of motion in a safe way.
Props Needed: A Pilates ball
Level: Beginner/Intermediate
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Inner And Outer Thighs
Train the entire lower body, hips, and muscles of the deep core.
Props Needed: Optional 1-2 lb ankle weights
Level: Beginner/ Intermediate
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Neck Friendly Full Body
Whether you are recovering from an injury or just feel a little tender in the neck, you can use this gentle series to work your entire body without ever having to stress the neck.
Props Needed: Pilates ball and light resistance band
Level: Intermediate
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Glute Focused Lower Body
Hit all the sweet spots with this lower body focused series.
Props Needed: Pilates ball and light resistance band
Level: Intermediate
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Happy Hips
Explore bigger ranges of motion in the hips in this "happy hips" series using only your own body weight.
Props Needed: None
Level: 2 Advanced
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Inner & Outer Thigh Sizzle
An inner & outer thigh workout that introduces a new and fun way to use the Pilates ring to effectively target the adductor magnus (your biggest but often laziest inner thigh muscle).
Props Needed: A Pilates ring and an (optional) 1-3lb ankle weight
Level: Intermediate/Advanced
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Standing Arm Series
Reverse forward rounded posture with this quick, but effective series to open up the chest and target the muscles of the mid back, triceps, and lats. Perfect after sitting for long periods of time or breastfeeding.
Props Needed: Optional 1-3lb weights.
Level: Beginner/ Intermediate
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Standing Lower Body Burn
A standing series to target the entire lower body, from the glutes and upper thighs down to the calves.
Props: magic circle, Pilates ball, and a single glider
Level: 2 Advanced
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Abs And Glutes
Target every muscle of the glutes and core in this full body workout.
Props Needed: Pilates ball (substitute with a firm, small pillow)
Level: Intermediate
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Inner And Outer Thighs
Enjoy this full lower body workout with a focus on the inner and outer thighs.
Props Needed: Light and heavy weighted resistance bands (can be substituted without bands)
Level: Advanced
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Core And Triceps
Learn to "kinect" the upper limbs to the trunk by training the posture muscles of the triceps, lats, mid back, and the core stabilizers.
Props Needed: Gliders and a light resistance band
Level: Intermediate
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Ballerina Legs
A ballet inspired lower body workout to lift the glutes and lengthen the thighs.
Props Needed: A pair of sliders (substitute with a pair of kitchen towels)
Level: 1 Intermediate
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Glutes Glutes Glutes
Target every angle of the hips and glutes in this delicious lower body focused series.
Props Needed: 1 medium & 1 light weight resistance band, 1 glider, and optional 1-3lb ankle weights
Level: Intermediate/ Advanced
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Standing Inner & Outer Thighs
A lower body series that targets the inner and outer thighs, all performed standing.
Props Needed: A light resistance band and 1 gliding disk
Level: Intermediate
