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Leg Springs on the Cadillac

Home  »  Pilates Cadillac Exercises | Free Tutorials   »   Leg Springs on the Cadillac
  • August 2, 2019
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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, NCPT, is the founder of OnlinePilatesClasses.com, the first free online catalogue of Pilates exercise tutorial videos, where you can also find weekly online mat classes and workshops. When not teaching from her studio in Los Angeles, Lesley can be found traveling the world leading Pilates retreats, or offering Pilates business coaching to studio owners and other instructors through her private mastermind group. Connect with Lesley on instagram @lesley.logan or through the contact page on this site.

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3 comments

  2. 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?

    Reply

    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

      Reply

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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.

AROUND THE CLOCK

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

Around The Clock exercise. This exercise is a combination of the double leg stretch, and rolling like a ball. There’s 2 versions I know of:

Joe’s version is named: A Commando Exercise.
Romana’s version is named: Businessman’s Lunch.

The difference? In Joe’s variation, the legs extend only to the even numbers of the clock and the back gets a nice massage as it passes the odd numbers of the clock. The arms reach for the sides of the hips; no reach overhead. In Romana’s variation, it is performed with the legs extending and the arms reaching overhead to each hour of the clock.

The similarity? Both variations are to be performed clockwise and counter-clockwise in less than a minute.

Let’s explore this piece of history, and practice each one to see which is your favorite! Check out Joe's brochure here: https://marchmatness.wordpress.com/2014/03/25/a-commando-exercise-by-joseph-pilates/

See you in class,
Christine

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, a pole, 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.

MEET ME ON THE EQUINOX

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

No matter where you live in the world there is a moment in Spring/Fall where day and night are almost equal. Pilates exercises ask us to work our opposition equally. Our down reach (lower half) and our up reach (upper half) are like night and day. So, as this week falls on the equinox, I thought it would be fun to focus on if we are working equally. Or if night or day are pulling us more in one direction.

No props needed.

See ya in class,
xx-LL 💋

A CURIOUS LITTLE MERMAID

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

Have you ever tried to stack your legs while doing Mermaid and immediately sank or even fell over a bit (or completely)? No, just me? Like, why is it so hard to stay upright??

We know all bodies are different and we celebrate it here at OPC! So, let’s get curious this month.

We’ll explore what happens when we intentionally create some space in our side waists in different exercises using different pieces of equipment and props. Since there are fewer exercises that focus on the side body we’ll use our curious concept in all the different body shapes we make: Flexion, extension, rotation, and side bending!

At the end of each workout, we’ll see how this curious concept of keeping space between the lowest rib and the top of the hip has prepared us to defy gravity and get into Mermaid a little more confidently.

Props needed:
Mat - Magic Circle for a few exercises
Reformer - Magic Circle
Tower/Cadillac - Reformer box or a stable chair that is about the height of the Tower or Cadillac mat!
Chair - A mat is optional

See ya in class,
xx-LL 💋

RUNNING UP THAT HILL

Online Mat, Reformer, Cadillac & Wunda Chair Pilates Class Descriptions:

Feeling strong enough to run up a hill is a great feeling…whether you have any intention of ever doing that or not! But it’s not just the legs that have to be strong for hill climbing. This month we’ll focus on how our core and upper body help our legs to power through any challenge!

Props needed:
Mat: Pole
Reformer: Weight & Ball
Tower/Cadillac: No props
Wunda Chair: Non-slipping pad, 1 yoga block, Mat (not necessary if the Wunda Chair stands on a carpet)

See ya in class,
xx-LL 💋

WEIGHT WHAT??

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

It's my bday week! I'm turning 42 and in my research to find a song or something epic around 42 I found quite a few things. In the intro's of class I explain some of them. But one I found was that Rainbows start at 42 degrees of the reflection. And something I love about Rainbows is they show us how possible it is to find the longest arc always. Rainbows don't sag anywhere.

Props needed:
Mat: Small hand weights (2-3lb) or soup cans or water bottles
Reformer: Sitting Box; Small hand weights (2-3lb) or soup cans or water bottles

See you in class,
Mindi

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, small hand weights (2-3lb) or soup cans or water bottles and a mat!

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

REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, sitting box; small hand weights (2-3lb) or soup cans or water bottles and a reformer!

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

MARCH ON

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

There's actually a lot of marching in Pilates if you think about it. Single Leg Stretch has us doing it lying down. You can also do it standing up. On your Wunda chair (don't worry not adding that in here) you've got several ways. So this week lets actually make sure the marching we are doing is from our center. This way we won't fall as we march!

Props needed: 
Mat: squishy  ball or pillow or block. Also can be done without a prop if needed
Reformer: n/a

See ya in class,
xx-LL 💋

SIDE BY SIDE

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

Every once in a while I get excited to focus on the Side Body! And this week is a great time to do that. I love that Pilates has side bends and twists that help us become more aware of how our side body truly helps us in every other Pilates exercise. Even ones where they are just tall!

You'll need a magic circle on the Reformer. No circle, a theraband can work.
Mat: Squishy ball 

See ya in class,
xx-LL 💋

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, squishy ball and a mat!

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

REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, Magic Circle (no circle, a theraband can work) and a reformer!

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

AROUND THE CLOCK

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

Around The Clock exercise. This exercise is a combination of the double leg stretch, and rolling like a ball. There’s 2 versions I know of:

Joe’s version is named: A Commando Exercise.
Romana’s version is named: Businessman’s Lunch.

The difference? In Joe’s variation, the legs extend only to the even numbers of the clock and the back gets a nice massage as it passes the odd numbers of the clock. The arms reach for the sides of the hips; no reach overhead. In Romana’s variation, it is performed with the legs extending and the arms reaching overhead to each hour of the clock.

The similarity? Both variations are to be performed clockwise and counter-clockwise in less than a minute.

Let’s explore this piece of history, and practice each one to see which is your favorite! Check out Joe's brochure here: https://marchmatness.wordpress.com/2014/03/25/a-commando-exercise-by-joseph-pilates/

Mat Props: Pole and weights
No props for the reformer.

See you in class,
Christine

MEET ME ON THE EQUINOX

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

No matter where you live in the world there is a moment in Spring/Fall where day and night are almost equal. Pilates exercises ask us to work our opposition equally. Our down reach (lower half) and our up reach (upper half) are like night and day. So, as this week falls on the equinox, I thought it would be fun to focus on if we are working equally. Or if night or day are pulling us more in one direction.

No props needed.

See ya 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.

WEIGHT WHAT??

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

Weight what? Sometimes we need props to find a few different connections and sometimes we need to think about where we are in space for an exercise. In this class we will use small/light hand weights and also explore the weight distribution in certain exercises. Exploring how we move in space will help us find our center and maybe make us feel some things in a different way. No right or wrongs, just different!

Props needed:
Mat: Small hand weights (2-3lb) or soup cans or water bottles
Reformer: Sitting Box; Small hand weights (2-3lb) or soup cans or water bottles

See you in class,
Mindi

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