- Difficulty: Advanced
- Equipment Needed: Mat (I love using the Contrology Folding Mat.)
- Reps: 3-5 of each
- Warning: Not ideal for some shoulder issues.
- Questions: Contact us here
Tips for Leg Pull Back on the Mat
Leg Pull Back on the Pilates Mat is one of those exercises that can feel like it’s all joints and not strength. Especially if you are a hypermobile body. In this video, we are going to go over the exercises that will help prepare you for Leg Pull Back. You can focus on these to build up to Leg Pull or you can replace Leg Pull Back with one of these exercises when it comes up in a workout until you feel ready to hold the position. Then from there, you will be on your way to adding the movements.
Reach your arms from your upper back and press into your fingertips.
Leg Pull Back requires strength from your upper back, flexibility in your shoulders and chest as well as a connection to your center and your entire back body so you don’t hang out in your knees. In this video, I give you several exercises that can lead up and prepare you for Leg Pull Back instead of just repeating an exercise that doesn’t feel possible. Or worse, feels like it is in your joints.
Shoulder Bridge: Laying on your back this exercise will help you practice pressing your arms back and opening the front of your hips with the back of your legs.
Table: This exercise allows you to practice putting weight on your arms from behind without having to have the strength in the back of your legs yet.
Single Straight Leg Stretch: This exercise challenges you to press your leg into your hands to strengthen the back of your leg! Something that is so key for Leg Pull Back.
Thigh Stretch: A great exercise for keeping your spine long and using the back of your legs.
Double Leg Kick: Another great exercise for strengthening your back body and opening your chest.
Try all of these and then replace Leg Pull Back with them as you are on your journey.
Be sure to check out more of my Pilates Mat exercises. I want to help you continue your Pilates Mat training!