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Press Up Front on the High Chair

Home  »  Pilates High Chair Exercises | Free Tutorials   »   Press Up Front on the High Chair
  • June 11, 2023
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Press Up Front on the High Chair

Press Up Front or Press Ups Facing In on the Pilates High Chair are an incredible challenge for Pilates practitioners of all levels. It has various stages so whether you’re just learning them or are ready to fly there is a level and variation for you. The key to this exercise is to reach in two directions – to truly reach up as much as you reach down. It’s easy to want to lean forward but you really want to find a way to hover in the up and down and not forward and back. When you can find this place, the strength you gain will change your entire arm to back connection.

Press down to lift up. Find the longest reach in two directions.

-Lesley Logan

Stand in front of the chair with your hands on the handles. Step onto the pedal one foot at a time and set the balls of your feet at the back edge of the pedal. This way, as the pedal rises, you end up on the top of the pedal. Find your shoulders on your back, reach your tail long and hug your heels tight together. You’ll be tempted to lean forward to get going but the key to this exercise getting you stronger is to try to go more up than forward.

To begin, press down into your hands and feet and lift up. Yes, press down into your feet to lift the pedal up. Then as you go up and down maintain a reach from your lower back into your feet and up from your center through the crown of your head. Repeat this 3-5x. If it’s going well and you’re ready to challenge your connection without the support of the springs, press yourself up, take your feet off the pedal. Find the longest reach you can and begin to beat your legs open and closed. Your goal is to have a “swan” like check, long spine and control of your body as your legs open and close.

Be sure to check out more of my Pilates High Chair exercises. I want to help you continue your Pilates High Chair 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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Mindi Westfall

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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.

CRISS CROSS

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

There's some exercises that I still hear my teacher Jay's voice. One is Criss Cross. I used to (and I bet you do too) rush through it. Its the last exercise in the Series of 5 and by the time you get there you just want to get it done. BUT!!! then we'd be missing out on all the good stuff. Soo let's juice it out together. Why is it so important and what does it set us up for?

No props needed. But if curling up is hard grab a bolster

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.

I LOVE ROCK-'N'-ROLL!

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

One of the many draws of Pilates for me are the rocking and rolling exercises: rolling like a ball, open leg rocker, swan dive, boomerang, seal, crab, and rocking. That massage for your back while working your strong center. Genius! And when you're rocking and rolling on the front side of your body - the opening across the chest and shoulders is so nice!

Some of these exercises will have some variations that we’ll play with much like a rock band has a jam session to try, experiment, and see what comes out of it. At the very least, we’ll have a lot of fun, and smile while practicing together!

Prop for the Mat and Reformer: Magic Circle

See you in class,
Christine

MOBILITY AND STABILITY

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

Throughout our movement practice we have muscles actively moving and muscles actively holding still. Whether muscles are mobile or muscles are stabilizing us, they’re definitely working and definitely getting stronger while we workout. As we bring awareness to what’s mobile and what’s stable, we hope it helps you connect more to your body, your practice and your overall confidence in movement!

Props needed:
Mat: Squishy ball or bolster
Reformer: None
Tower: None
Chair: Optional box and mat

See ya in class,
xx-LL

BALANCING IT ALL

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

We are a little more than halfway through the year. It’s time to check in with yourself!

Pilates is all about uniform development; equalling out both sides of the body by building strength and creating flexibility. It’s why we love this practice so much!

It also helps us with stability and balance, physically and mentally, so let’s make this month about you! Focus on yourself all month long and check in with yourself, and your body, during each workout.

We’ll be giving you some great variations to help you explore the asymmetrical aspects of different exercises. And, of course, we’ll give you some tips on how to balance it all out!

Props needed:
Mat - dish towel
Reformer - 1 Arm Weight (1-2 pounds), Box, Non-slipping pad, Pole
Tower - no props - just the tower pieces
Chair - gondola pole, box and mat

See ya in class,
xx-LL

OPEN YOUR HEART

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

Raise your hand if you also tend to push out your ribs, bring the shoulders down or go into an arched back instead of opening the chest from a strong middle. You're not alone! This week, we're focusing on a strong arm-back connection to open up our chest, shoulders and neck and to get true length in our spine.

See you in class,
Yasmin

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, Theraband (old leggings), Foam Roller (or Ball, Bolster, Small Barrel, Blanket), Wall or pillow, and a mat!

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

REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, Pole, Non-slippy pad, Box and a reformer!

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

TO POINT OR TO FLEX

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

To Point or To Flex - That is the question! Recently on a call with some new OPC members, one person asked when should we point? When to flex? Does it make a difference?

And the truth is if you're new I'm super thrilled you showed up and you did what you could. If you flexed when you should point it's gonna be ok. However, yes there is a method behind the point and flex madness, and this week we are going to focus on our feet! When should we flex, when should we point and how much is too much?!?!

Whether you start on the Mat or the Reformer we'll start with a Thera-Band!

See ya in class,
xx-LL

TO POINT OR TO FLEX

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

To Point or To Flex - That is the question! Recently on a call with some new OPC members, one person asked when should we point? When to flex? Does it make a difference?

And the truth is if you're new I'm super thrilled you showed up and you did what you could. If you flexed when you should point it's gonna be ok. However, yes there is a method behind the point and flex madness, and this week we are going to focus on our feet! When should we flex, when should we point and how much is too much?!?!

Whether you start on the Mat or the Reformer we'll start with a Thera-Band!

See ya in class,
xx-LL

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, Thera-Band and a mat!

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

REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, Thera-Band and a reformer!

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

BIG CIRCLES, LITTLE CIRCLES

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

There are quite a few circles within the exercises of Pilates. We will do most of them and then add some in where we can! Most of these circles are working from your center and also working the hips, glutes and inner thighs. The Magic Circle will also be added into the workout to add a bit of challenge. Lets have a little fun with some big circles and little circles!

See you in class,
Mindi

I LOVE ROCK-'N'-ROLL!

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

One of the many draws of Pilates for me are the rocking and rolling exercises: rolling like a ball, open leg rocker, swan dive, boomerang, seal, crab, and rocking. That massage for your back while working your strong center. Genius! And when you're rocking and rolling on the front side of your body - the opening across the chest and shoulders is so nice!

Some of these exercises will have some variations that we’ll play with much like a rock band has a jam session to try, experiment, and see what comes out of it. At the very least, we’ll have a lot of fun, and smile while practicing together!

See you in class,
Christine

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, Magic Circle and a mat!

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

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

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

OPEN YOUR HEART

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

Raise your hand if you also tend to push out your ribs, bring the shoulders down or go into an arched back instead of opening the chest from a strong middle. You're not alone! This week, we're focusing on a strong arm-back connection to open up our chest, shoulders and neck and to get true length in our spine.

Props needed:
Mat: Theraband (old leggings), Foam Roller (or Ball, Bolster, Small Barrel, Blanket,...), Wall
Reformer: Pole, Non-slippy-pad, Box

See you in class,
Yasmin

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