Multitasking workouts? Here for it. A Pilates-esque workout, sans a reformer, that can be done while watching TV? Sign. Us. Up.
This Monday morning workout inspiration comes courtesy of our CCO, Sarah Howard. Below, she shares the seven-move Pilates magic circle routine she multitasks into her busy schedule. “I like to do these moves while binging a show or on Zoom calls when I don’t have to put my camera on,” Sarah says. “They’re small moves but, done daily, they have big results.” While Sarah is our resident Pilates enthusiast, she notes that she is not a trainer and created this routine from moves she learned in class (with a few tweaks of her own, ofc). No two bodies are the same, and this is what works for her, so try it and feel free to tweak for yourself.
1. Chest
Hold the Pilates ring in front of you at about chest height. Make sure your hands are aligned on the pads. Press your palms toward each other then release, but still keep a bit of tension. Do 10 reps.
2. Biceps
Place one of the pads of the ring in the crook of your neck. Lift the corresponding arm and place your palm on the opposite pad. Press down and release, making sure to keep a bit of tension. Do 10 reps per side.
3. Lats
Position the ring so that one pad is resting just above your right hip, then reach your arm down and place your right palm on the remaining pad. Use your palm to press the ring in toward your body. Then release, making sure to keep a bit of tension. Do 10 reps per side.
4. Butt
Stand up straight, then place the ring just below your right butt cheek. Bend your right leg so that the opposite side of the ring rests on your heel. Press your heel toward your buttocks 10 times on each side. Sarah likes to hinge slightly forward at the hips because she thinks it makes it more difficult to balance, thus activating the core. This is, of course, optional.
5. Inner thighs
Start on your back and place the ring between your ankles. Engage your core and lift your neck and shoulders off the ground, reaching your arms out in front of you. Make sure your lower back doesn’t arch. Lift your legs a couple of inches off the ground and squeeze the ring with both legs. Then release, making sure to keep a bit of tension. Do 10 reps. Core + inner thighs = power move.
6. Outer thighs
In a seated position, put your feet through the ring so that the pads are on each ankle.
Engage your core and lift your neck and shoulders off the ground, reaching your arms out in front of you. Make sure your lower back doesn’t arch off the ground. Keep your legs straight and lift them a couple of inches off the ground, then press the ring out with both ankles. Release, making sure to keep a bit of tension. Do 10 reps.
7. Obliques
Start in a bicycle crunch position. Place the ring so that one pad is on your right thigh, just above the knee, and the other pad is on your left arm, just above the elbow. Double-squeeze the ring, then release, making sure to keep a bit of tension. Do 10 reps per side.
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