- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Equipment Needed: Guillotine
- Reps: 3-5 each side
- Warning: Not ideal for some shoulder or neck issues.
- Questions: Contact us here
Zip Up Side with the Guillotine
Training your upper back strength in Pilates is key for finding where to lift, reach or circle your arms from. The Pilates Zip Up Side on the Guillotine is a unique way to challenge and find those arm back connections. It’ll feel like you’re trying to pick up a suitcase with the most amazing posture. The Zip Up Side is a small but mighty exercise that reveals where you need to work and allows you to work imbalances between sides.
Work the legs down as much as you’re trying to pull the bar up.
Standing on the mat of the Guillotine with the bar on one side. Stand with your heels together and toes slightly apart. Hugging your legs together. The arm away from the bar can press long by your side or with your hand on its hip.
Bend knees while maintaining a lift in your chest until the hand next to the bar can grab the bar. Then press into the mat as you lift your center up to stand up bringing the bar with you. Grabbing the center of the bar is key to the bar lift up evenly in the Guillotine. Standing tall bend your elbow wide to the side as you lift the bar up only as high as your shoulder remains wide and on your back. Push the bar down and then repeat 3-5x. Then bend your knees to fully close the springs and let go of the bar. Stand tall and turn around to repeat on the other side. Repeat on the side that needs it.
Be sure to check out more of my Guillotine workout videos. I want to help you continue your Guillotine training!