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Russian Splits on the Reformer

Home  »  Pilates Reformer Exercises | Free Tutorials   »   Russian Splits on the Reformer
  • February 9, 2020
Russian-Splits-on-the-Reformer-Online-Pilates-Classes
  • Difficulty: Advanced
  • Equipment Needed: Reformer (I love using the Contrology Reformer.)
  • Reps: 2-3 each variation on each side
  • Warning: May not be suitable for some knee issues.
  • Questions: Contact us here

Russian Splits on the Reformer

Russian Splits on the Pilates Reformer has three lovely parts to it and you can choose to do any or all! Each part will challenge your two-way stretch and teach you something you need in other parts of your practice. I love to use the third portion to practice my Single Leg Tendon Stretch, Tree, Control Balance off. Or the first part and practice reaching my arms from my back. Each part is there for you as you are ready or depending on what you need that day. Which Russian Split is your favorite? What do you need today?

Stand in both feet and reaching out from your center. Focus on the in.

Have two heavy spring on, your foot bar up, headrest up and stand with both feet on the center of the carriage and your hands on the shoulder rests. I like to place a pad on the headrest so my foot doesn’t slip. Place the back foot on the foot bar first. You’ll want your heel to be on the horizontal bar and the ball of your foot on the vertical bar. Then standing in your leg lift your front leg up like Single Leg stretch and place the arch of your foot on the crease of the headrest.

Standing in both feet, press your front foot forward and back 3x. Then reaching your arms from your back lift your chest towards a long line and then up as much as you can and stay in your center. Press the front leg forward and back 3x. Then place your hands back on the shoulder rests, close your springs and lift your heel into the crease of the headrest. Maintaining square hips press the carriage out then lift your center up to close the spring. Repeat 2-3x. Then with the carriage close lift your front foot back to the center of the carriage first then your back foot and switch sides.

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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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.
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See you in class,

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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.

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Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

I thought it would be fun to bring some magic into class with the Magic Circle. If you hate the Magic Circle, that's OK! Don't worry - we won't use it too much. It's a great prop to magically show you "ohh, that's the muscle you need!" when we're connecting arms to back or legs to seat. And then we learn how to get that feeling without using it. Let's make some magic!

Mat props: Magic Circle or a ball or your imagination!
Reformer props: Magic Circle or theraband or ball

See ya in class,
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MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, Magic Circle or a ball and a mat!

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

REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, Magic Circle or theraband or ball and a reformer!

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

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

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

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Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

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Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

We are in a no judgement zone this week as we fly through the orders doing just one rep of each exercise before moving on!!!

Our “1 rep drill” or our “1 and done” theme is in its 3rd year, so it’s basically tradition to do class this week. It’s also been a favorite because I add in some accessible options for everyone to try.

If you’ve done this in the past, you know the Mat order goes FAST - so we’ll be doing a few rounds with props and no props. You can do the whole class or you can pick your favorite round and just do that! It’s a week filled with CHOICES!!

If you’ve done this in the past, you know the Reformer order is LONG - so I do cut just a few moves throughout to be as close to 30 minutes as possible. Again, I added accessible options throughout, so everyone can go through the order!

Remember we want you to embrace your own journey each time you practice and love practicing in your TODAY body!! If that means you follow my variations, perfect! If that means you go for your own, also perfect!

Get ready to be ONE & DONE!!

Mat: Resistance Band, Magic Circle, and Barrel/Blanket
Reformer: Resistance Band and Small Ball

See you in class,
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    >> Wondering what mat I’m using? You can find out more here.

    REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, Resistance Band, Small Ball and a reformer!

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

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    Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

    I thought it would be fun to bring some magic into class with the Magic Circle. If you hate the Magic Circle, that's OK! Don't worry - we won't use it too much. It's a great prop to magically show you "ohh, that's the muscle you need!" when we're connecting arms to back or legs to seat. And then we learn how to get that feeling without using it. Let's make some magic!

    Mat props: Magic Circle or a ball or your imagination!
    Reformer props: Magic Circle or theraband or ball

    See ya in class,
    xx-LL 💋

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    Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

    As we all get older, your balance may be something you notice declines. I love working on balance because if you’re not present in the moment, or even thinking of something else, you can lose your balance. You can also lose your balance by favoring one side more than the other, whether it’s right/left sides in terms of limbs, or inner and outer edges of the foot that you’re standing on.

    Let's check in with our balance in this week's classes. In fact, we're going to bookend our classes - a balance check at the start of class, and at the end of class - to see how our practice affected our balance.

    No props for the mat or reformer.

    See you in class,
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    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.

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