Our arms and abs are often the biggest benchmarks for physical fitness. We look in the mirror and ask, “do my arms look more toned” or “are my abs more defined”. But as much as we want to strengthen our arms and our abs….let’s be honest. Traditional arm and ab exercises are not the most exciting.
Sure, there are plenty of weightlifting variations to switch things up. But do you really want to do the same static exercises over and over again?
Reformer Pilates helps us create dynamic movements that work our abs and arms with added resistance to constantly engage our muscles. Contrary to weightlifting, Pilates works the full length of the muscle, which supports the joints and contributes to a more toned appearance.
Supine arm exercises on the reformer are a fun, dynamic way to activate the arms AND the abs. Using our straps, carriage, and weighted springs, we challenge the body to build muscle in a new way.
What are supine arms?
There are plenty of variations on the supine hands in strap exercises. Supine arm exercises involve lying on the reformer carriage, with elevated legs.
With our hands in the reformer straps, we can move our bodies through both static and dynamic exercises that engage the arms and the core.
Having your legs elevated already activates the core. To make the exercise even more challenging your instructor may add crunches to the arm movement.
Focus on form
When it comes to supine arms, one of the most common mistakes we see is someone going through the movement too quickly, or more focused on range of motion than form.
One common mistake is initiating a crunch with your head instead of your core, causing neck pain. A few modifications are to elevate the headrest, or wait a few more classes to add the crunch while you work on building more core strength.
Instead, focus on connecting your movements and your breath to get the most out of your exercise. Slow down, and pay attention to how your body feels throughout the movement.
If you have any questions about your form, your instructors are there to help! Taking a moment to clarify the proper form will increase the benefits you get from our supine arm series.
See the results for yourself!
With more than 300 classes/week across 5 studio locations, RTR Pilates has classes for every level and lifestyle.