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Leg Springs on the Cadillac

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  • August 2, 2019
Table of Contents
Leg-Springs-on-the-Cadillac Online Pilates Classes
  • Difficulty: Beginner | Intermediate
  • Equipment Needed: Cadillac (I love using the Contrology Cadillac.)
  • Reps: 3-5 of each variation
  • Warning: May not be suitable for some knee issues.
  • Questions: Contact us here

Leg Springs on the Cadillac

Similar to my love for the Arm Springs, the Leg Springs on the Pilates Cadillac is a “go-to” for me! I enjoy warming up with them or using them as a cool down from my other apparatus workouts. The Leg Springs are more than a leg workout. The name suggests that they are all about the legs but in fact, they truly help connect your legs to your center. They also help you discover the reach from your back in both directions. Your placement will vary depending on your level of strength and abilities. Start off with only a hands distance away from the mat and over time challenge yourself by moving your arms straighter.

Don’t let the springs bend you. You press and pull the springs.

With your arms at a 90-degree angle, reaching from your back into the vertical poles or working themselves towards straight, place your feet in the straps heels together and toes apart. Press your legs out to the high diagonal and then draw circles as big as you can maintain your reach into the springs, with your spine long on mat and stability in your pelvis. You will circle 3-5 times in both directions. Once finished, hug your heels together and bend your knees back in. Reach right back out and go for a “walk.” Walk one leg down towards the mat a time for 6 counts and then walk back up towards your high diagonal. Repeat for 3 sets.

After you have successfully walked, hug your heels together and bend your knees back in. Reach back out and go into your bicycle three times in each direction. Be mindful of letting the springs bend your knees vs you pulling your heels towards your seat. After 3 sets, press your legs to straight, hug your heels together, and bend your knees back in. Stretch back out and beat your legs open and closed 8 times. Hug your heels together for 8 counts. Lower your legs slightly and repeat. Then lower your legs towards the mat again and repeat. Once finished with your third set, draw tiny circles. You should feel these in the back of your legs. Finish up, hug your heels and bend your knees. Finally, end with the big frogs. Press your heels together and to the mat, reach them out, open the legs along the mat, lift up towards the high diagonal, hug your legs together and bend back in. Repeat two more times and reverse direction.


Be sure to check out more of my Pilates Cadillac exercises. I want to help you continue your Pilates Cadillac training!

By Lesley Logan

Lesley Logan, a 2nd generation certified Pilates teacher, breathwork, habits and mindset coach, is the founder of OnlinePilatesClasses.com, the first free online catalogue of Pilates exercise tutorials, where you can also find weekly Pilates classes and workshops. Teaching Pilates since 2008, she has run multiple studios, has trained hundreds of people to become teachers themselves and has taught thousands of students around the world. When not teaching from her studio in Las Vegas, Lesley she’s hosting her podcast Be It Till You See it or traveling the world leading Pilates retreats. Connect with Lesley on Instagram @lesley.logan or through the contact page on this site.

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3 comments

  1. I totally love leg springs but I ALWAYS feel the strap on my ankle area and it kind of hurts… like Ive gone back to my teachers manual often to see if I can tweak it but i never fails. So I dont feel confident in the area for myself or for teaching..do i just need to get the sherpa straps!!? ha…no but really…what’s your tip?

    1. Hey Dana, since you’re an OPC member do you mind showing me a pic of your strap and also your feet in the straps?

      I have some ideas and I’d love to see you move in your straps before I say “long leggings and socks” haha

      There are options. Including there is a company that does lampskin straps

      xx

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UP, UP, & AWAY

ONLINE MAT, REFORMER, CADILLAC & WUNDA CHAIR PILATES CLASS DESCRIPTIONS:

We are all going to feel like Super Humans after this month!!

Whenever I’m in a hard exercise (for me) where I’m holding myself up with my arms and reaching my legs away I picture myself with super human strength!!! I can do ANYTHING! It makes me smile and helps me stay STRONG.

This month our exercise is Up Stretch and when you think about it - reaching your legs away and staying strong over the carriage may feel a lot like flying!

We’ll be focusing on stabilizing our strong cores while staying equally balanced in our arms and legs. We are giving you some amazing building blocks by merging strength and stretch in all directions. You are going to get a little bit of everything that you can use to connect to your Up Stretch (and even your Roll Up and Knee Stretches Off).

Chair: Please have a foam roller and a balance pad available. We are going to challenge your balance safely.

xx-LL

GLOW WITH THE FLOW

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

Get ready for rosy cheeks and a natural glow effect! This week we will flow through our Mat and Reformer order again. Less cuing, more connecting each exercise to the next to keep our center working. Grab your notebook and notice which exercises our body connects easily and which not so we can create future themes for you! 

Can´t wait,

Yasmin

Props: Mat: nothing
Reformer: Box, Pad, Pole

See you in class,
yasmin

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, pole and a dowel!

>> Wondering what mat I’m using? You can find out more here.

REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, pole and a reformer!

>> Wondering what reformer I’m using? You can find out more here.


SIDE SITUATION

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

Its easy to focus on the parts of exercises we can see. For example in Roll Up we can see our legs or the front of our center. But, the side body is key in all that we do! Its really what helps keep our upper half of our body from sinking on the lower half! So in this weeks classes we will be focusing on our side body and how that affects our rolling work too!

No Props Needed

xx-LL

BABY GOT BACK... BENDS

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

Let’s focus on building the support for backbends. We’ll be opening the hips, strengthening the backside, and activating the front body to support a smooth, supported arch.
And if your spine isn’t into full backbends, don’t you worry! This class is still for you. You’ll improve posture, shoulder mobility, and create more space through the front body. It’s less about bending, more about balance and support.

Props needed : Rod

See you in class,
Megan

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED:

>> Wondering what mat I’m using? You can find out more here.

REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED:

>> Wondering what reformer I’m using? You can find out more here.


BREATHE IT IN

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

Back by popular demand entire workouts led by our breath. We'll use inhales and exhales to get the most out of our work. And, perhaps some exercises that have felt challenging will have a bit more flow! 

Props: pole - swiffer handle or stick

See you in class,
xx-LL

SIDE SITUATION

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

Its easy to focus on the parts of exercises we can see. For example in Roll Up we can see our legs or the front of our center. But, the side body is key in all that we do! Its really what helps keep our upper half of our body from sinking on the lower half! So in this weeks classes we will be focusing on our side body and how that affects our rolling work too! 

See you in class,
xx-LL

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self and a Mat!

>> Wondering what mat I’m using? You can find out more here.

REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self and a Reformer!

>> Wondering what reformer I’m using? You can find out more here.


BABY GOT BLACK… BENDS

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

Let’s focus on building the support for backbends. We’ll be opening the hips, strengthening the backside, and activating the front body to support a smooth, supported arch. And if your spine isn’t into full backbends, don’t you worry! This class is still for you. You’ll improve posture, shoulder mobility, and create more space through the front body. It’s less about bending, more about balance and support.

Props Needed: Rod

See you in class,
Megan

NOT A SUMMER FLING

Let´s talk about your Squat!

Let’s create a little love affair with one of our Pilates Principles - Control. I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one who has to use a little momentum every now and again, but there is a difference between controlled momentum and flinging ourselves around in space. Let’s focus on precise, deliberate movements, resisting the urge to fling our limbs around.

Props:

Mat = TBD
Reformer = Box, Pole, Pad (we use this for some footwork exercises)
Tower = Used foam roller or block under the head for side leg springs (always optional)
Chair = box, gondola pole, mat

See ya in class,
xx-LL

MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU

ONLINE MAT, REFORMER, TOWER/CADILLAC & WUNDA CHAIR PILATES CLASS DESCRIPTIONS:

The STAR WARS Universe needs more than just a day of celebrating …May The Fourth! Let’s honor that mind-body-Jedi spirit, as well as the Power of 4, all month…May The Force Be With You! All of our 45 min classes will use 4 reps or a combination of 4 exercises to connect us to our strength.

On the reformer, we’ll use the Pilates pole as our own special light saber of focus! (Swiffer handles or yardsticks work well, too!

Props needed:
Mat: Pole
Reformer: Pilates Pole
Tower: none
Chair: none

See ya in class,
xx-LL

DOUBLE TAKE

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

When Jay Grimes told me that there is only 1 Pilates exercise we do 500+ ways and its Double Leg Stretch or sometimes called Double Leg Pull it got me thinking about how I can find that in each exercise. Sometimes its obvious, sometimes its not. Maybe all we find is the arms or legs this week. 

We'll start class with a Thera band (old pair of leggings can work). Feel free to use it as often as you need! 

See ya in class,
xx-LL

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Theraband - leggings or stockings, pole - swiffer handle or stick

>> Wondering what mat I’m using? You can find out more here.

REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self and a reformer.

>> Wondering what reformer I’m using? You can find out more here.


GLOW WITH THE FLOW

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

Get ready for rosy cheeks and a natural glow effect! This week we will flow through our Mat and Reformer order again. Less cuing, more connecting each exercise to the next to keep our center working. Grab your notebook and notice which exercises our body connects easily and which not so we can create future themes for you! 

Props Needed Reformer : Box, Pad, Pole

See you in class,
Yasmin

SUCH A TEASE

ONLINE MAT & REFORMER PILATES CLASS DESCRIPTIONS:

Teaser is probably one of the most photographed exercises in Pilates. Which makes people think it's a "peak pose." But, it's anything but! It's simply another layer to your Pilates practice. This week we will acknowledge how each exercise contributes to your ability to do Teaser (someday) and then how Teaser teaches you where to get curious in your practice.

On the Mat we will use light weights for one round of Teaser as they can be helpful for those still adding into their practice.
No props on the Reformer.

See you in class,

xx~LL

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, light weights and a Mat!

>> Wondering what mat I’m using? You can find out more here.

REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self and a Reformer!

>> Wondering what reformer I’m using? You can find out more here.