Single Leg Press Down with the Guillotine

Single Leg Press Down on the Guillotine requires a lot of balance and control! Not unlike other Pilates exercises, it’s here to challenge your flexibility and strength. Flexibility in the leg to get your foot to the bar. Strength to control the bar. Use the Guillotine to assist with asymmetries and find a way to balance and stabilize your pelvis while doing it. Like any Pilates exercise,e start with the leg that needs more assistance then hit the strong side and return back to the first side. Fun fact, this is one of my favorite exercises on the Guillotine!

Work the lift in your spine as you press the bar down.

With the springs hooked at the top. Hook the mat up into place as well so that you can stand on a firm surface. Stand facing the bar about your straight legs distance from the bar. Place the arch of one foot on the center of the bar. Standing leg is reaching into the mat straight and can be slightly turned out for balance. Hands on your hips, elbows bent wide to the side. Work the foot into the bar to balance/square off your hips. Gaze ahead.

Maintaining a long but not locked leg press the bar down from the back of the leg. Ideally, you would also bend your spine but if this is your first time or two do this with a tall back. Or choose if you want or need one spine shape over the other. Press the bar down to where you can control it and then while still pressing into the bar lift the bar up. Repeat 3-5x.

If bending the spine as you press the bar down round forward. As you lift the bar up stand up.

When you’re ready to switch sides lift the bar up until the springs are closed or have some one assist you holding control of the bar so you can take your leg off and put your other leg back on.

Repeat on the other side and after repeat on the first side if needed.

Be sure to check out more of my Guillotine workout videos. I want to help you continue your Guillotine training!