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!