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Arm Series: Stretch with Bar on the Small Barrel

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  • July 4, 2024
arm series stretch with bar (reach with bar) on the small barrel online pilates classes
  • Difficulty: Beginner/Intermediate
  • Equipment Needed: Small Barrel and Pole (I love using the Small Barrel.)
  • Reps: 3-5
  • Warning: May not be ideal for some shoulder, back or neck issues
  • Questions: Contact us here

Arm Series: Stretch with Bar on the Small Barrel

Pilates Small Barrel Arm Series with Bar doesn’t just stretch your chest it strengthens your upper back! If you struggle with Swan, Swimming or posture the Reach with the Bar on the Pilates Small Barrel is the Pilates homework you’ve been looking for! The Small Barrel is often more accessible for people than the Spine Corrector either due to height or flexibility. Once this feels possible or even easy give the same exercise a try on the Spine Corrector.

Work the reach from your lowest ribs on the barrel in both directions!

Sitting with the Small Barrel behind you. Depending on your height or flexibility your hips might be touching the barrel. Leg straight and hugging together on the mat. Or, bent with feet pushing down and legs hugging together. Holding the bar in your hands as wide as the bar. Ideally, your hands will be slightly wider than your shoulders. Round back over the barrel. Ideally your shoulder land on the top of the arch. Neck long and head on the barrel. If you need support for your neck try to roll a towel under the neck. Ideally, you don’t want to put too big a pillow under the head as this will take the purpose of opening the chest and pulling the head in line with the spine. And you may need to do other exercises to build up to this.

Maintaining your lower ribs and back working over the barrel reach the bar to the ceiling. Then stretch the bar overhead as far as you can keep your ribs on the barrel. Then pulse the arms and bar back 1x.

Reach the arms and bar up to the ceiling then lower towards your legs. Repeat.

Work your arms from where your lowest ribs in both directions. Opening the collarbones wide throughout.

When done place the bar to the side. Use your hands to grab your head and roll up to sitting. Someday work yourself up to doing this on the Spine Corrector.


Be sure to check out more of my Pilates Small Barrel exercises. I want to help you continue your Pilates Small Barrel 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.

Loving this Pilates exercise tutorial? Take weekly online Pilates mat classes with OPC Teachers
Enjoying Lesley's teaching style? Willing to travel? Explore the world while maintaining your practice by joining Lesley on a Pilates retreat.

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SUCH A TEASE

ONLINE MAT & REFORMER PILATES CLASS DESCRIPTIONS:

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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.

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Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

So much of Pilates movement we get to experience in the real world too! In class this week we’ll feel the similarities between swinging on a swing and movements in our Pilates practice. We will have fun imagining while we swing life away.

Mat props: Rod or a swiffer stick
Reformer Props: box, grip pad

See you in class,
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MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, Rod or a swiffer stick and a mat!

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

REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, box, grip pad 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:

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See ya in class,
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PLANK YOU VERY MUCH!

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

Todrick Hall’s song “nails, hair, hips, heels” came on during one of my playlists, and it got my brain thinking of how to turn this song and use it for Pilates, and boom, here’s this month’s theme - abs, back, glutes, thighs. With Pilates being a full-body workout, think of this as your checklist as you work out this month since these are all connected while we practice all of our exercises on all of the apparatuses.

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See ya in class,
xx-LL 💋

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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Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

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No props needed.

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Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

Teaser is usually a love hate relationship for most people! What’s really interesting is that Teaser sneaks its way into lots of exercises on the Mat and Reformer. 

Through these classes, we will have a little fun adding Teaser into other exercises and also adding variations to help you build your Teaser!

Come fall in love with it again or maybe for the first time!

No props needed.

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.


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    Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

    So much of Pilates movement we get to experience in the real world too! In class this week we’ll feel the similarities between swinging on a swing and movements in our Pilates practice. We will have fun imagining while we swing life away.

    Reformer Props: box, grip pad
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    See you in class,
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    Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

    Welcome to "Weights Not Weighing You Down"! In this class, we’re skipping the straps and we’ll be using light weights (1-2 pounds), or if you don’t have those, something like water bottles will do. I want you to notice just how much the straps and springs usually help, but more importantly, this is your chance to avoid muscling through the work. Let’s focus on finding where your arms move from your back and really connect to that throughout the class.

    See ya 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, light weights and a reformer!

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


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

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