- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Equipment Needed: Wunda Chair (I love using the Balanced Body Wunda Chair.)
- Reps: 3 sets of 3-5
- Warning: May not be suitable for some back issues.
- Questions: Contact us here
Horseback on the Wunda Chair
I don’t love Horseback on the Reformer and Ladder Barrel as much as I love it on the Pilates Wunda Chair! It’s a great place to find your two-way stretch. And, really work your arms from your back. Reaching your legs and arms from your center is key to make this exercise happen anywhere in the studio. But, on the Wunda Chair, you’ll be able to see if you are truly doing this. If you’re not, the chair will let you know. Learn how to lift from all the right places and remain connected as you move the pedal down and up.
Hug the chair with your inner thighs and reach the legs from your ribs.
With one spring on the middle of your chair straddle the chair and reach your legs as wide as your chair. Hugging in the chair from your seat and inner thighs without overly externally rotating your legs. Ideally, Horseback is done in parallel. But, we tend to turn out because we are focused on the “lift.” But, the lift is secondary to the reach from your center through your arms and legs. Start with feet flexed and lift your arms from your back overhead.
Round forward and reach your hands to the pedal as you point your toes and lift your seat. Reach into the pedal to move it down and up 3-5x before you lift all the way back up to your start position and flex your feet. Repeat 2-3x. The goal is not to press the pedal down. It’s all about lifting it up from your center. You will feel the concept of Spine Stretch Forward in this exercise and you will also notice where you tend to over or underwork so when you go back to doing Horseback on the Reformer you don’t focus on just lifting your hips up, or lean too far forward. Focus on the longest flexion in the down and up.
Be sure to check out more of my Wunda Chair workout videos. I want to help you continue your Pilates Wunda Chair training!