Hundred on the Reformer

The Hundred on the Reformer will reveal what the Hundred on the Mat often cannot.

  • Author: Lesley Logan
  • June 18, 2018
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Table of Contents
hundred-on-the-reformer-1a - Online Pilates Classes
  • Difficulty: Beginner
  • Equipment Needed: Reformer (I love using the Contrology Reformer.)
  • Reps: 10 cycles of breathing
  • Warning: Not ideal for some neck and shoulder issues.
  • Questions: Contact us here

Hundred on the Reformer

The Hundred on the Pilates Reformer is basically the same as the Hundred on the Mat but with straps and resistance from Springs. While on the Mat, the Hundred is the first exercise in the order. On the Reformer, the Hundred usually comes after Footwork. Since the Footwork, Hundred and the next couple of exercises are all designed to warm you up and prepare your body for what is to come it is often done on 3 or 4 springs. But this can be adjusted if necessary. The Hundred on the Reformer will reveal what the Hundred on the Mat often cannot.

The 100 is meant to warm you up. Get your whole body involved!

After you complete your Footwork, lower your footbar. Ideally, you can do this without sitting up. But if you must sit up, try to keep your body connected to all that you turned on. For example, you can “teaser up” and hold your Teaser while you lower your footbar and adjust your springs if necessary. Lay back down and grab your handles. Reach your arms up to the sky and if possible place your legs straight out resting on Reformer. If straight legs on the Reformer is too difficult, you can start with them bent into your chest. Then in one movement press your arms straight down, lift your head, chest, and legs up (or out) to a high diagonal and begin to pump your arms as you breathe in and out for 10 cycles. To finish, reverse how you got into position.

As you are pumping your arms notice what is moving. Hopefully, just your arms are moving. If you notice your head and chest are bouncing or that the carriage is inching back and forth, this means we need to connect you more to your center. Feel the handles press back into your hands equal to how much you are pushing into them. This should mitigate the bouncing of the carriage. Hug your legs tight together and don’t be afraid to feel your seat engage here to support your legs. Remember this is an exercise to warm you up, so get your whole body involved!


Be sure to check out more of my online Pilates Reformer exercises. I want to help you continue your Pilates Reformer 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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4 comments

  1. Thank you for talking about strap length. I learned on an allergo 2 with adjustable strap length. However I now have a reformer with leather straps and am confused as to how long the straps ‘should’ be. They are so much longer on the original reformers. Also frogs and circles feel way different with the longer extension straps. Loved the video, thank you!

    1. Hey Natasha, yes the straps should be longer but different trainings do it differently for the work they are wanting. Frogs and circles is not meant to be a “leg exercise.” Its a pelvic stability exercise and the more advanced you get the more leg muscles you’ll feel. have you seen my “mastering the basics on the Reformer” workshop? Check it out. We have OPC member with Allegro 2’s and they lengthened their straps so that they can use the springs I am suggesting and get the feeling of the exercises as I am teaching them. If your straps are short some of them with the springs I say will be too heavy and hard. Hope this helps xx

  2. Hi Lesley – enjoying the flash cards I have tried adjusting my straps and many other things including making sure I’m connected in the back but my reformer still moves about 1 cm as I pump my arms i have a traditional balanced body wooden reformer aaargh please can you advise further

    1. Hey Alisa, ugh I’ve been there it can be so frustrating. I’m assuming you traditional wooden BB is with the ropes and risers. If I am wrong let me know. Make sure you’re at the bottom of your risers and that you are using actually handles and not loops. If you are there may still be a little movement but give it time. Make sure you’re not OVER connecting. I know that sounds impossible but some people can over do the “down” on their shoulders which doesn’t allow you to connect to your lats. Also know that if you are using ropes they are set up to “retract” so the moment you lift your arms they are doing their job of “retracting.” There are some changes you can make to everything to make it more in line with leather but at some point there are limits. If you’re using loops definitely get actual handles. Thats the only way for your full hand to connect to the handle and allow your arms to connect to your back. xx~LL

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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.

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

THE CALM BETWEEN THE STORMS

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

What Storms you ask? Well, Thanksgiving (USA) just happened and we’re kicking off the big Holiday Season right away. Let’s use this week’s Mat & Reformer classes to connect to our breath, center from the powerhouse, and find a little calm.

On the Reformer, we’ll be working to make Running more than that exercise you do to stretch your calves. And on the Mat well alter some of our traditional breathing patterns for a calming challenge!

You won’t need any special props, just your fabulous, Deep-Breathing selves!

See you in class,

Tami

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, a theraband and a reformer!

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

THE BOSS

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

In the states its the week of Thanksgiving which means a lot of things to do and little time for you. And whether you live in the states or not I wanted to give everyone an excuse to leave any room so they can "meet with the boss" aka take class!

And you are the boss! The meeting is with you, your practice and OPC! Tell people The Boss called. They'll let you go and they'll totally understand that 30 min is a legit time to talk to The Boss.

The prop needed on the Mat: Pillows or a bolster or ball. I'm thinking about things you might have in any bedroom to take a call.

Reformer: if you happen to have access to a Reformer this week YAY! The Reformer is going to be the boss. The sounds it makes, the way it feels, its got feedback for ya!

See ya in class,

xx~LL 💋

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, pillows or a bolster or ball 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.

TINSEL AND TEASERS

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

This week we’ll focus on Teaser because we can! It’s hard! And when in need a pretty great party trick.

The end of the year brings lots of parties you want to go to, some you have to go to and some you wish you could get out of.

Let this workout be and excuse for not going to a party or as a prep for the party trick you might just need!

Props: On the Mat and Reformer a theraband for your Tinsel!

See ya in class,

xx-LL 💋

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

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

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

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

SLEIGH THE DAY

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

Sleigh or Slay? This time of year we say both!

Reflecting on the year and recognizing all of the work we put into our practice hopefully feels like we slayed the year!! Now we are getting ready for the holidays and heading into a new year so we can sleigh and get it done!

This week I want you to feel like you can do your very best with each exercise! Meet your body where it is, have fun and dont judge how it goes! There are always those exercises you aren’t sure about, but today you just have to go into it saying, I WILL SLEIGH this one! Lets do this!!

No props needed for these classes!

See you in class,

Mindi

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.

HORSES HORSES HORSES

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

If you are a lover of the Reformer chances are you have little love for the Horseback. I don't blame you. It's not that fun. If you're on the Mat you probably have no idea what this means…

And that's ok! Horseback is like a seated Teaser but harder!

On both the Mat and Reformer we will be playing with how to connect to this exercise, prepare for it and find a Horse that works for us!

Props: Mat, have light weights nearby

See ya in class,

xx-LL 💋

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, have light weights nearby 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.

JINGLE BELL ROCK

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

There are some Rocking Moves in Pilates! This whole month we’ll be getting our Jingle On as we use each piece of equipment to prepare for and expand on those rolling & rocking postures. Bring that holiday spirit, let's rock!

Mat - no props needed
Reformer - Reformer Box and Pole
Cadillac - no props needed
Chair - no props needed

See ya in class,

xx-LL 💋

Super STAR

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

Did you know that a Superstar has definitions surrounding it that call out words like “prime attraction”, “prominent”, and “public appeal”?

I’m laughing as I write this description because this month’s theme is about the exercise STAR and I think these words are usually disassociated with that exercise! LOL!!!

If you hate doing Star, never wanted to try Star, or have no idea what Star is - these workouts are for YOU!!
If you love Star - I’d love to know why, but also - these workouts are for YOU!!

Throughout the Pilates method there aren’t many exercises where the side body is the main attraction, which is interesting because we need to use our side body to do some of the first exercises we learn. Rolling exercises, Roll Up, and Push Up/Planking - all need to call on your side body muscles to help you do the exercises.

Our focus this month is side body work to help you not only be a SuperSTAR and try STAR, but to help you connect to these muscles to do all the other exercises.

Let’s have FUN this month and forget about the stigma STAR may or may not have :)

Equipment needed:

Reformer = the box

Cadillac = no props needed!

Chair = no props needed, but you might want a yoga block to prop up your pedal

Mat = no props needed!

See ya in class,

xx-LL 💋