Leg Pull Back on the Mat

Leg Pull Back on the Mat

Some exercises are better in pairs and the Leg Pulls are one of those dynamic duos! This is the second half of the pairing on the Pilates Mat and requires more than you might think. First, if you tend to hyperextend your knees, give them a little softening and then press your heels into the mat more as you curl your tail towards your heels and lift your seat higher. You will be tempted to skip this bad boy for another exercise. But, the more you focus on what’s holding you up the stronger you’ll be on the Reformer and other places in the Pilates studio.

Soften your knees and elbows. Hold yourself up from your backside!

Typically you would go from being in the plank to magically being in your Leg Pull Front. Ok, so maybe it’s not magic but a few carefully choreographed movements. From your Leg Pull take one hand to the other hand then cross that same foot in front of the other. Stand on the hand you moved, press into your feet to lift your seat and then flip over! Land on both hands, adjust your feet and then reach your seat to your heels as you lift your hips up. Look straight ahead and feel whats touching the mat. Meet your mat and lift your hips.

Once you feel you are set up in your back and your seat, press into one leg lift the other one. Set it down and repeat on the other side. If you go to lift a leg but feel like your body couldn’t support you lifting a leg then keep both legs down and then talk yourself through the movement. Press into your right foot and imagine picking up your left leg. Then repeat on the other side. One day your seat will be strong enough for you to lift a leg and switch. When you are done kicking or thinking about kicking do not rest. Get ready for your Kneeling Side Kick!

Be sure to check out more of my Pilates Mat exercises. I want to help you continue your Pilates Mat training!