- Difficulty: Intermediate/Advanced
- Equipment Needed: Ladder Barrel (I love using the Balanced Body Ladder Barrel.)
- Reps: 10 cycles of breathing
- Warning: May not be suitable for neck or back issues.
- Questions: Contact us here
Mat Exercises: Hundred on the Ladder Barrel
There are many reasons to try doing some Mat exercises on top of the Pilates Ladder Barrel. Doing the Hundred and Ab series on top of the Barrel will challenge your strength, endurance and allow you to feel the same exercises you do on the Mat in a different way. Also, sometimes you don’t have space in your studio to do your Mat work. Or you want to stay on the Ladder Barrel longer. By using it as a Mat you get to make the most of your space and equipment. Here is a fun way to do your Mat exercises.
Breathe into your back and connect as much as you can to the barrel.
Make sure you have space on either side of the Ladder Barrel so that your arms can move freely and your legs can extend. You can sit on top of the Barrel and place your tailbone at the edge of the Barrel and lay your spine on the top of the Barrel. Unless you’re really tall you should be able to get your tailbone to your low ribs balanced on the barrel. Feel your low ribs on the Barrel and notice how you may lean more to one side more than another. It’ll feel a little scary if you do.
Bring your knees into your chest and curl your head and chest up. This will be where you start and end your Hundred. For the Hundred, reach your legs out, start slightly higher than you might on the Mat or Reformer. Pump your arms. Do the 100 as you would normally but you’ll feel it differently up here.
When done, bring knees into the chest and sit up before going into the Ab Series if new to trying it up here. If you’re challenging your stamina go into your Ab Series.
Be sure to check out more of my Pilates Ladder Barrel exercises. I want to help you continue your Pilates Ladder Barrel training!
