- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Equipment Needed: Ladder Barrel (I love using the Balanced Body Ladder Barrel.)
- Reps: 3-5
- Warning: Not ideal for those with neck or low back issues.
- Questions: Contact us here
Short Box Series: Round on the Ladder Barrel
Short Box series on the Pilates Ladder Barrel is not only a great place to learn the series it is also a great place to gain feedback, practice your two-way stretch and learn what you want to feel when you do Short Box on the Reformer. Short Box Round allows you to work the legs in a different way than you would on the Reformer while also allowing you to find the sticky spots in your spinal articulation. Train when and where to extend as well as how to round back up when using the Ladder Barrel.
This series has several parts. Do one or all of them on the Ladder Barrel and challenge what you learn on the Reformer.
Reach your legs into the rungs. Do not pull the rungs with your feet.
Sit on the top of the barrel just shy of the apex. Place the arches of your feet ideally on the 2nd rung. Work the back of the legs into the bar. Wrap your arms around your waist and round back as far as you can and remain connected to the equipment and your center. Stand in your legs to help you round back up. Repeat 3-5x
It tempting to let the head go back before the spine has fully unfolded. Work the thoracic spine to the barrel as much as you can before the head drops.
The feet will want to hook on the top run to help you up. But that would keep you from working from your center. Stand in your legs and work your waist to the barrel and round up.
Be sure to check out more of my Pilates Ladder Barrel exercises. I want to help you continue your Pilates Ladder Barrel training!