Standing Push Thru 1 on the Pilates Cadillac is an often unseen, underused exercise. When you look at Standing Push Thru with the spring from above it might not look that difficult. Or, even like it's necessary. But, once you start to do the movement you will quickly learn where you are not connecting to your center. If you are leaning off your heels, locking your knees or trying to overpower the spring. You will be pushed right off your center. Less dangerous than the squats, but just as much a teaching tool for connection to your center while standing.

Outside of the Cadillac, hook the Push Thru Bar up with a spring from above. Stand facing the bar with your heels together and your toes apart. In the first rep you will see if you're too close or too far. You don't want to be too far. Closer is better but there should be room to move the bar between you and the Cadillac. Start with palms down on the bar. Make sure to wrap your thumb around the bar for safety. Hug your outer hips together and lift tall through the crown of your head as you stand in your feet.

Start by reaching the Push Thru Bar up. You can go as far up as you can stand in all four corners of your feet. The spring will bend to make space for the bar. Then pull the bar back down towards you and then push it through towards the bottom. The spring will open and you need to remain reaching from your back and standing in your feet. Bend your elbows and control the spring back to close and the bar back up past start and towards the top of the Cadillac. Repeat 3-5x then switch your grip to palms up. Maintain the pinky side of your hand on the bar throughout the entire movement.