Reformer / Pilates

Reformer exercise library

240 pre-written reformer and mat exercises with cues and spring settings — click one to open the studio with the brief filled in.

240 exercises

Footwork: Toes (Pilates V)

3 red

Beginner • Footwork

Supine on the carriage, heels together toes apart on the bar, press out to straight legs and return with control, keeping the pelvis neutral.

Footwork: Arches

3 red

Beginner • Footwork

Arches of the feet wrapped over the bar, hip-width apart, press out and bend in without letting the heels drop or the low back arch.

Footwork: Heels

3 red

Beginner • Footwork

Heels on the bar with flexed feet, press out through the back of the legs and pull in slowly, keeping the toes lifted.

Footwork: Tendon stretch

3 red

Advanced • Footwork

Legs straight with the balls of the feet on the bar, lower and lift the heels below bar level for controlled calf and ankle work.

Footwork: Prehensile

2 red

Beginner • Footwork

Toes curled around the front of the footbar, press out and in while gripping actively through the whole foot.

Footwork: Single-leg toes

1 red 1 blue

Beginner • Footwork

One foot on the bar in Pilates V, the other knee at tabletop, press out and in keeping the hips completely level.

Footwork: Single-leg heel

1 red 1 blue

Beginner • Footwork

One flexed heel on the bar, opposite leg at tabletop, press to straight and resist the return without twisting the pelvis.

Footwork: Wide second position

3 red

Beginner • Footwork

Feet wide on the corners of the bar, turned out, press out and in tracking the knees over the second toes.

Footwork: Calf raises

2 red

Beginner • Footwork

Legs straight, press the carriage out and pulse the heels up and down for calf endurance with a still pelvis.

Footwork: Pilates V pulses

3 red

Beginner • Footwork

Small fast pulses at the end range of the press to fatigue the quads and glutes while keeping the ribs down.

Footwork: Heel beats

2 red

Beginner • Footwork

Legs straight and turned out, beat the heels together rapidly while holding the carriage steady out from the stopper.

Footwork: Tempo 3-1-3

3 red

Beginner • Footwork

Slow three-count press out, one-count hold, three-count return to build control and eccentric strength.

Frog

2 red

Medium • Feet in straps

Feet in straps in Pilates V, heels together, extend the legs to a 45-degree line and fold back to a deep frog without moving the pelvis.

Leg circles

1 red 1 blue

Medium • Feet in straps

Legs long in the straps, circle outward and together, keeping the low back quiet and the circles even in size.

Reverse leg circles

1 red 1 blue

Medium • Feet in straps

Same shape circled inward, opening from the hip joint while the ribcage stays anchored.

Openings (short spine prep)

2 red

Advanced • Feet in straps

Legs vertical, open to shoulder width and squeeze back together using the inner thighs, not the ankles.

Long spine massage

2 red

Advanced • Feet in straps

From legs vertical, roll the hips up to a shoulder bridge, open the legs and roll down one vertebra at a time.

Short spine massage

2 red

Advanced • Feet in straps

Fold at the hips, roll the pelvis overhead, bend the knees to the ears and melt the spine down while the carriage stays home.

Frog to extension

2 red

Medium • Feet in straps

Bend to frog, extend the legs low, then lift back to vertical, drawing a triangle with control.

Bicycle in straps

1 red 1 blue

Medium • Feet in straps

Alternate legs in a slow cycling pattern, keeping the pelvis level and the straps under even tension.

Scissors in straps

1 red 1 blue

Medium • Feet in straps

Split the legs front and back with straight knees, switching smoothly without rocking the pelvis.

Hip rolls with straps

2 red

Medium • Feet in straps

Legs in tabletop in the straps, roll the pelvis up and down slowly using the hamstrings and deep abdominals.

Adductor squeeze

1 red

Medium • Feet in straps

Legs vertical, press the inner thighs together against light strap resistance and release slowly.

Single-leg circles in strap

1 blue

Medium • Feet in straps

One foot in the strap, other leg long on the carriage, circle the working leg with a stable pelvis.

Single-leg hamstring curl

1 blue

Medium • Feet in straps

One foot in the strap, bend and straighten the knee against the spring to isolate the hamstring.

Turned-out frog pulses

2 red

Medium • Feet in straps

Hold the mid-range of frog and pulse to fatigue the adductors and deep hip rotators.

Straight-leg lower and lift

1 red

Medium • Feet in straps

Legs together and long, lower to the limit of pelvic control and lift back to vertical.

Corkscrew in straps

2 red

Ultra • Feet in straps

Legs vertical and together, spiral the hips to one side, circle down and around, and return to center.

Hundred prep

1 red

Beginner • Abdominals

Head and shoulders lifted, arms in the straps pressed long by the hips, hold the curl and breathe wide.

The hundred

1 red

Beginner • Abdominals

Legs at tabletop or long, arms pumping small and fast in the straps for five counts in and five out.

Coordination

1 red

Medium • Abdominals

Curl up with arms pressed long, open and close the legs, then fold in — all on one exhale.

Chest lift with straps

1 blue

Medium • Abdominals

Curl the upper body while drawing the straps toward the hips, deepening the abdominal connection.

Oblique curl with straps

1 blue

Medium • Abdominals

Curl and rotate toward one hand, keeping both hips heavy and the elbows wide.

Roll-up on the reformer

1 blue

Medium • Abdominals

Holding the straps, articulate up to sitting and roll back down through every vertebra.

Teaser with straps

1 red

Advanced • Abdominals

Legs at a 45-degree line, roll up to a V-shape holding the straps and lower with total control.

Criss-cross on carriage

0

Advanced • Abdominals

Hands behind the head, curl up and rotate elbow toward opposite knee with a slow rhythmic switch.

Double-leg stretch on carriage

0

Beginner • Abdominals

Curled up, extend arms and legs in opposition and circle back to a tight ball.

Frog and reach

1 red

Medium • Abdominals

Head lifted, feet in straps, press to a long diagonal line and fold back, keeping the curl steady.

Rollover in straps

2 red

Medium • Abdominals

Legs overhead in the straps, open, flex and roll down slowly through the spine.

Corkscrew advanced

2 red

Ultra • Abdominals

From a high rollover, spiral down one side and up the other with the shoulders anchored.

Arm circles supine

1 blue

Medium • Arms supine

Lying flat with straps in hand, circle the arms open and around, keeping the shoulder blades wide.

Arms: Extension (arm press)

1 blue

Medium • Arms supine

Press the straps from overhead to the hips with straight arms, ribs knitted down.

Arms: Triceps press

1 blue

Medium • Arms supine

Elbows fixed and pointing up, straighten the arms to press the straps toward the hips.

Arms: Chest expansion supine

1 blue

Medium • Arms supine

Arms long by the sides, press back into the springs and hold, breathing wide across the collarbones.

Arms: Fly supine

1 blue

Medium • Arms supine

Arms wide with soft elbows, close them over the chest and open slowly against the spring.

Arms: Overhead pullover

1 blue

Advanced • Arms supine

Straight arms sweep from overhead to the hips and back, keeping the ribcage anchored on the carriage.

Arms: Serve a tray

1 yellow

Medium • Arms supine

Elbows at the ribs, rotate the forearms outward against the strap to train the rotator cuff.

Arms: Single-arm press

1 blue

Medium • Arms supine

One strap at a time, press long while resisting rotation through the torso.

Arms: Bicep curl supine

1 blue

Medium • Arms supine

Elbows fixed by the sides, curl the straps toward the shoulders and lower slowly.

Arms: Angel wings

1 yellow

Medium • Arms supine

Arms sweep in a wide arc from hips to overhead along the carriage, opening the chest.

Kneeling arm circles

1 blue

Medium • Kneeling

Upright on the knees facing the back, circle the straps with a tall spine and stacked pelvis.

Kneeling chest expansion

1 red

Medium • Kneeling

Kneeling tall, press the straps behind you, turn the head side to side and return to center.

Kneeling bicep curls

1 blue

Medium • Kneeling

Elbows at shoulder height, curl the straps in and out while resisting carriage movement.

Kneeling hug a tree

1 blue

Medium • Kneeling

Arms wide at shoulder height, close them in a big hug and open with control, keeping the ribs closed.

Kneeling salute

1 blue

Medium • Kneeling

Hands by the forehead, extend the arms forward on a diagonal and bend back with steady shoulders.

Kneeling side arm series

1 blue

Medium • Kneeling

Kneeling sideways to the risers, press and lift the outside arm through several planes.

Kneeling lunge stretch

1 red

Beginner • Kneeling

Back knee on the carriage, front foot on the platform, slide the carriage out for a deep hip flexor stretch.

Kneeling back extension

1 blue

Medium • Kneeling

Kneeling tall with the straps, hinge back on a long diagonal and return using the back of the body.

Kneeling thigh stretch

1 red

Beginner • Kneeling

Straps in hand, hinge the whole body back from the knees in one line, then pull up through the quads.

Kneeling side bend with strap

1 blue

Medium • Kneeling

One hand in the strap overhead, arc sideways over the carriage and return with an even waist.

Kneeling rotation press

1 blue

Medium • Kneeling

Kneeling tall, press one strap forward and rotate the ribcage, keeping the hips square.

Kneeling stomach massage prep

2 red

Advanced • Kneeling

Kneeling on the carriage with hands on the bar, press out and in for shoulder and core stability.

Long stretch

2 red

Beginner • Plank

Plank with hands on the footbar and feet on the headrest, glide the carriage out and back in one straight line.

Down stretch

2 red

Beginner • Plank

Kneeling with hands on the bar and thighs pressed forward, arc the chest open and press the carriage back.

Up stretch

2 red

Beginner • Plank

Pike position with hands on the bar, press the carriage out to plank and pull back up to a high V.

Elephant

2 red

Medium • Plank

Standing on the carriage with hands on the bar and flat feet, scoop the belly and push the carriage back and in.

Long back stretch

2 red

Beginner • Plank

Facing away with hands on the bar, dip and lift the body in a controlled reverse-plank circle.

Knee stretch: Round back

2 red

Beginner • Plank

Kneeling with hands on the bar and a C-curve spine, press the carriage back and pull in with the abdominals.

Knee stretch: Flat back

2 red

Beginner • Plank

Same position with a neutral spine, using the hip extensors to drive the carriage.

Knee stretch: Knees off

2 red

Beginner • Plank

Knees hovering off the carriage, small powerful pushes with the spine unmoving.

Plank leg pull front

1 red

Advanced • Plank

Plank with feet on the carriage, lift one leg and press the carriage out without dropping the hips.

Pike (knees off)

1 red

Advanced • Plank

Feet on the carriage, hands on the platform, pike the hips high and lower back to plank.

Mountain climbers

1 blue

Advanced • Plank

Hands on the platform, alternate driving each knee in as the carriage slides.

Plank knee tucks

1 red

Medium • Plank

Feet on the carriage in plank, draw both knees under the chest and press back out.

Plank oblique tucks

1 red

Medium • Plank

From plank, pull the knees in on a diagonal toward one elbow, alternating sides.

Bear crawl hold

1 red

Medium • Plank

Hands on the platform, knees hovered over the carriage, press out and in a few inches with a locked torso.

Reverse plank carriage slide

1 red

Medium • Plank

Facing up with heels on the carriage and hands on the platform, slide out and in with lifted hips.

Plank to pike single leg

1 red

Ultra • Plank

One foot on the carriage, pike the hips up and lower to plank, keeping the shoulders over the wrists.

Short box: Round back

1 red

Medium • Short box

Seated on the box with feet under the strap, roll the pelvis back in a C-curve and return.

Short box: Flat back

1 red

Medium • Short box

Hinge back with a long neutral spine and arms overhead, then lift upright with the back extensors.

Short box: Side bend (mermaid)

1 red

Medium • Short box

Arms overhead, arc laterally over the box and return through the center with even waist length.

Short box: Twist

1 red

Ultra • Short box

Rotate the ribcage over the pelvis with arms wide, keeping the hips anchored.

Short box: Twist and reach back

1 red

Ultra • Short box

Rotate first, then hinge back on the diagonal and return with control.

Short box: Tree

1 red

Medium • Short box

One leg extended and climbing the leg with the hands, then rolling down and back up along the box.

Short box: Climb a tree

1 red

Medium • Short box

Progressive walk of the hands up an extended leg while articulating the spine back over the box.

Short box: Around the world

1 red

Medium • Short box

Combine the side bend and twist into a continuous circular movement of the torso.

Short box: Overhead press

1 blue

Advanced • Short box

Seated tall with straps, press the arms overhead and lower with the ribs down.

Short box: Shave the head

1 blue

Medium • Short box

Hands together behind the head, extend the arms up on a diagonal and bend back down.

Short box: Hug a tree seated

1 blue

Medium • Short box

Arms open wide at shoulder height, close and open against the spring while sitting tall.

Short box: Teaser on box

1 red

Advanced • Short box

Hinge back and float the legs to a V-shape, holding and lowering with control.

Long box: Pulling straps

1 blue

Medium • Long box

Prone on the box holding the straps, pull the arms back along the sides and lift the chest.

Long box: T-pull

1 blue

Medium • Long box

Arms wide in a T, pull them back and down while keeping the neck long.

Long box: Backstroke

1 blue

Medium • Long box

Supine on the box, sweep the arms and legs open and together in a wide swimming pattern.

Long box: Teaser on long box

1 blue

Advanced • Long box

Supine, roll up to a teaser holding the straps and lower slowly through the spine.

Long box: Breaststroke

1 blue

Medium • Long box

Prone, circle the arms from front to sides while lifting the chest into extension.

Long box: Swan

1 red

Medium • Long box

Prone with hands on the footbar, press the carriage away and lift into a long back extension.

Long box: Swimming

1 blue

Advanced • Long box

Prone with opposite arm and leg lifting in a small quick alternating rhythm.

Long box: Horseback

1 blue

Advanced • Long box

Straddle the box holding the straps, hinge back and press the arms in a series while gripping with the inner thighs.

Long box: Prone hamstring curl

1 blue

Medium • Long box

Prone with feet in the straps, curl the heels toward the seat and lengthen back out.

Long box: Grasshopper

1 red

Medium • Long box

Prone with feet in straps, bend the knees wide and beat the heels together in extension.

Long box: Rowing front

1 blue

Medium • Long box

Seated on the long box facing the footbar, row the straps forward and open the arms wide.

Long box: Rowing back

1 blue

Medium • Long box

Seated facing the risers, hinge and pull the straps back in a full rowing sequence.

Long box: Side-lying arm press

1 blue

Medium • Long box

Side-lying on the box, press the top-arm strap open and close with a steady torso.

Long box: Side over

1 red

Medium • Long box

Side-lying with the hips at the edge, lower the torso over the box and lift with the obliques.

Long box: Prone chest expansion

1 blue

Medium • Long box

Prone, press the straps back past the hips and hold, opening the front of the shoulders.

Side-lying leg press

1 red

Medium • Side-lying

Side-lying on the carriage with the top foot on the bar, press out and in keeping the waist lifted.

Side-lying inner thigh press

1 blue

Medium • Side-lying

Bottom leg on the bar, press the carriage using the inner thigh with a stacked pelvis.

Side-lying leg circles

1 blue

Medium • Side-lying

Top leg in the strap, circle from the hip while the ribcage stays quiet.

Side splits

1 red

Medium • Standing

One foot on the platform and one on the carriage, open and close the legs with the inner thighs.

Front splits

1 red

Medium • Standing

Front foot on the platform, back foot on the carriage, slide out to a long lunge and pull back in.

Russian splits

1 red

Advanced • Standing

Facing forward in a split stance, slide the carriage back with a tall upright torso.

Skater

1 red

Medium • Standing

One foot on the platform, the other knee on the carriage, press out laterally through the glute.

Standing lunge

1 red

Medium • Standing

Back foot on the carriage, front foot on the floor, slide back into a lunge and pull in.

Standing hip opener

1 blue

Medium • Standing

Standing beside the reformer with one foot on the carriage, press the leg out to the side and return.

Standing calf press

2 red

Medium • Standing

Standing on the platform with the balls of the feet, press the carriage with the other foot for calf strength.

Standing arm series

1 blue

Medium • Standing

Standing at the back of the reformer holding the straps, press, pull and circle the arms.

Standing chest expansion

1 blue

Medium • Standing

Standing tall with straps by the sides, press back and hold, lengthening through the spine.

Standing rotation press

1 blue

Medium • Standing

Standing in a split stance with one strap, press forward and rotate through the ribcage.

Standing hamstring stretch

1 blue

Beginner • Standing

Foot on the footbar with a long spine, hinge forward for a controlled hamstring lengthening.

Stomach massage: Round

2 red

Advanced • Stomach massage

Seated on the carriage with feet on the bar and a C-curve, press out and in with the hands behind the hips.

Stomach massage: Flat back

2 red

Advanced • Stomach massage

Same footwork with a tall neutral spine and arms reaching back, lifting through the chest.

Stomach massage: Reaching

2 red

Advanced • Stomach massage

Arms reaching forward or wide as the carriage presses out, adding shoulder and back challenge.

Stomach massage: Twist

2 red

Ultra • Stomach massage

Press out and rotate the torso to one side, keeping both sit bones grounded.

Seated mermaid on carriage

1 blue

Medium • Seated

Sitting in a Z-position with one hand on the bar, arc sideways and press the carriage out.

Seated spine twist

1 blue

Ultra • Seated

Seated tall holding a strap, rotate the ribcage and return with a still pelvis.

Seated saw

1 blue

Advanced • Seated

Legs wide, rotate and reach one hand past the opposite foot, then roll up through the spine.

Seated lat pull

1 blue

Medium • Seated

Facing the risers, pull the straps down and back to engage the lats with a lifted chest.

Seated row: Wide

1 blue

Medium • Seated

Elbows wide at shoulder height, pull the straps back and release slowly.

Seated row: Narrow

1 blue

Medium • Seated

Elbows close to the ribs, pull straight back and lengthen out with tall posture.

Seated hug a tree

1 blue

Medium • Seated

Facing away from the risers, close the arms in a wide circle in front of the chest.

Seated triceps extension

1 blue

Medium • Seated

Arms overhead holding the straps, bend and straighten the elbows without moving the ribs.

Jumpboard: Two-foot jumps

2 red

Advanced • Jumpboard

Supine with feet on the jumpboard, push off and land softly toe-ball-heel with a neutral pelvis.

Jumpboard: Single-leg jumps

1 red 1 blue

Advanced • Jumpboard

One-leg take-offs and landings, absorbing through the whole foot and controlling the knee line.

Jumpboard: Wide second jumps

2 red

Advanced • Jumpboard

Feet wide and turned out, jump and land with the knees tracking over the toes.

Jumpboard: Scissor jumps

2 red

Advanced • Jumpboard

Split the legs mid-air and switch, landing lightly with a stable torso.

Jumpboard: Ski jumps

2 red

Advanced • Jumpboard

Legs together, jump side to side across the board with an anchored pelvis.

Jumpboard: Tuck jumps

2 red

Advanced • Jumpboard

Push off and draw both knees to the chest before landing softly.

Jumpboard: Prone jumping

1 red

Advanced • Jumpboard

Prone on the carriage with hands on the board, press and rebound for upper-body power.

Jumpboard: Side-lying jumps

1 red

Advanced • Jumpboard

Side-lying with the top foot pushing off the board, training lateral hip power.

Jumpboard: Heel-toe jumps

2 red

Advanced • Jumpboard

Alternate landing on toes and heels for foot articulation and ankle control.

Jumpboard: Sprint intervals

2 red

Advanced • Jumpboard

Fast alternating single-leg jumps for a short cardio burst with a still spine.

Snake

1 red

Ultra • Advanced

Hands on the bar and feet on the carriage sideways, spiral the body out and in through a long twist.

Twist

1 red

Ultra • Advanced

The mirrored version of snake, arcing the spine into extension as the carriage travels.

Control balance

1 red

Ultra • Advanced

Shoulders on the carriage with feet in straps, split the legs overhead and hold with control.

Star (side plank on carriage)

1 red

Ultra • Advanced

Side plank with the bottom hand on the platform and feet on the carriage, press out and in.

Semi-circle

2 red

Advanced • Advanced

Feet on the bar and hands on the shoulder rests, arc the pelvis under and over as the carriage moves.

Tendon stretch (advanced)

2 red

Advanced • Advanced

Seated with hands on the shoulder rests and feet on the bar, lift the seat and press the carriage out.

Balance control back

1 red

Advanced • Advanced

Reverse plank with feet on the bar, lift one leg high and press the carriage away.

Russian squats

2 red

Advanced • Advanced

Standing on the carriage with the back to the bar, sink into a squat while the carriage travels.

High frog with obliques

2 red

Medium • Advanced

Feet in straps in a high frog, add a small pelvic rotation each repetition.

Long spine to short spine flow

2 red

Advanced • Advanced

Chain the two inversions into one continuous sequence with smooth spinal articulation.

Teaser to overhead

1 red

Advanced • Advanced

From a teaser, roll back and take the legs overhead, then return to the V-shape.

Pike to handstand prep

1 red

Advanced • Advanced

Hands on the platform, feet on the carriage, pike as high as possible and hold the shoulder stack.

Hamstring stretch in strap

1 blue

Beginner • Mobility

One foot in the strap, lengthen the leg toward the ceiling and gently draw it closer.

Hip flexor stretch on carriage

1 red

Beginner • Mobility

Kneeling lunge with the back knee on the carriage, slide out and breathe into the front of the hip.

Figure-four stretch

1 blue

Beginner • Mobility

Ankle crossed over the opposite knee with the foot in the strap, drawing the legs in for glute release.

Adductor stretch in straps

1 blue

Beginner • Mobility

Legs wide in the straps, let gravity open the inner thighs and pull back together slowly.

Spine twist supine

0

Ultra • Mobility

Knees dropping side to side on the carriage with the shoulders anchored, breathing into the ribs.

Cat-cow on the carriage

1 red

Beginner • Mobility

Hands on the bar and knees on the carriage, arch and round the spine with the breath.

Mermaid stretch on carriage

1 blue

Beginner • Mobility

Z-sit with one hand on the bar, side bend to open the waist and shoulder.

Chest opener over the box

0

Beginner • Mobility

Supine over the box, arms open wide to release the chest and front of the shoulders.

Standing forward fold on carriage

2 red

Medium • Mobility

Feet on the carriage and hands on the bar, hinge forward to lengthen the whole back line.

Roll-down finish

0

Beginner • Mobility

Standing at the end of the reformer, roll down through the spine and stack back up to close the session.

Lateral breathing

mat

Beginner • Mat: Warm-up & breathing

Supine with knees bent, hands on the ribs, breathe wide into the sides of the ribcage without lifting the chest.

Pelvic clocks

mat

Beginner • Mat: Warm-up & breathing

Small pelvic tilts through twelve, three, six and nine o'clock to mobilise the lumbar spine and find neutral.

Imprint and release

mat

Beginner • Mat: Warm-up & breathing

Alternate between neutral pelvis and gentle imprint, moving only from the deep abdominals.

Knee sways

mat

Beginner • Mat: Warm-up & breathing

Knees bent and together, sway them side to side within a pain-free range to warm the spine.

Shoulder shrugs and slides

mat

Beginner • Mat: Warm-up & breathing

Lift, glide back and lower the shoulder blades to organise the scapulae before loading the arms.

Head nods

mat

Beginner • Mat: Warm-up & breathing

Small nods of the chin to wake the deep neck flexors before any curl-up work.

Arm arcs overhead

mat

Advanced • Mat: Warm-up & breathing

Float the arms overhead and back while keeping the ribs heavy on the mat.

Cat-cow on all fours

mat

Beginner • Mat: Warm-up & breathing

Move sequentially between flexion and extension, initiating from the tailbone.

Thread the needle

mat

Beginner • Mat: Warm-up & breathing

From all fours, slide one arm under the body to rotate the upper back, keeping the hips square.

Child's pose reach

mat

Beginner • Mat: Warm-up & breathing

Sit back to the heels and walk the hands forward to lengthen the lats and low back.

The Hundred

mat

Beginner • Mat: Abdominals

Head and shoulders curled up, legs at tabletop or 45 degrees, pump the arms for five breaths in and five out.

Roll-up

mat

Medium • Mat: Abdominals

Slow articulated roll from lying to sitting and back, one vertebra at a time with straight legs.

Half roll-back

mat

Beginner • Mat: Abdominals

Seated tall, curl the pelvis back to a C-curve and return without gripping the hip flexors.

Single-leg stretch

mat

Beginner • Mat: Abdominals

Curled up, draw one knee in and switch legs, keeping the pelvis stable and the ribs knitted.

Double-leg stretch

mat

Beginner • Mat: Abdominals

Reach arms and legs long on the inhale, circle them back to the knees on the exhale.

Scissors

mat

Medium • Mat: Abdominals

Curled up, switch straight legs in a controlled scissor with a double pulse at the top.

Lower lift

mat

Medium • Mat: Abdominals

Legs straight to the ceiling, lower as far as the pelvis stays still and lift back with the deep abdominals.

Criss-cross

mat

Advanced • Mat: Abdominals

Rotate the ribcage towards the opposite knee, elbows wide, holding each rotation for a beat.

Toe taps (dead bug)

mat

Beginner • Mat: Abdominals

Tabletop legs, tap one toe to the mat at a time without letting the back arch.

Roll-over

mat

Ultra • Mat: Abdominals

Legs overhead from a 90-degree hold, open and roll down through the spine with total control.

Teaser prep

mat

Advanced • Mat: Abdominals

Roll back and up to a V-shape with the feet grounded, building towards a full teaser.

Full teaser

mat

Ultra • Mat: Abdominals

Balance on the sit bones with legs and arms extended in a long V, then roll down bone by bone.

Boomerang

mat

Ultra • Mat: Abdominals

Combination of roll-over and teaser with a leg switch, flowing from one shape to the next.

Corkscrew

mat

Ultra • Mat: Abdominals

Legs together vertical, circle them around and lift the hips slightly to each side.

Jack knife

mat

Ultra • Mat: Abdominals

From the roll-over, extend the legs to the ceiling and lower the spine down with precision.

Plank to pike

mat

Ultra • Mat: Abdominals

From a strong plank, pike the hips high using the abdominals, then lower back to plank.

Hollow-body hold

mat

Advanced • Mat: Abdominals

Low back pressed into the mat, arms and legs long, hold the banana shape and breathe.

Spine stretch forward

mat

Beginner • Mat: Spine & rotation

Seated tall with legs wide, curl forward over the legs and restack the spine.

Spine twist

mat

Ultra • Mat: Spine & rotation

Sit tall and rotate with two small pulses per side, growing taller through the crown.

Saw

mat

Advanced • Mat: Spine & rotation

Legs wide, rotate and reach the little finger past the opposite foot, then roll up through the spine.

Mermaid side bend

mat

Medium • Mat: Spine & rotation

Seated in a Z-sit, reach one arm overhead into a long side bend without collapsing the ribs.

Open leg rocker

mat

Advanced • Mat: Spine & rotation

Balance on the sit bones holding the ankles, roll back to the shoulders and up again.

Rolling like a ball

mat

Beginner • Mat: Spine & rotation

Compact C-curve, roll back and up without using momentum from the head.

Seal

mat

Beginner • Mat: Spine & rotation

Same rolling shape with the hands inside the ankles and three claps of the feet at each end.

Neck pull

mat

Advanced • Mat: Spine & rotation

Hands behind the head, roll up over straight legs and hinge back tall before rolling down.

Supine spinal twist

mat

Ultra • Mat: Spine & rotation

Knees together drop to one side while the opposite shoulder stays anchored.

Sitting side reach

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Medium • Mat: Spine & rotation

Legs crossed, reach overhead and side to lengthen the waist and open the ribs.

Side leg lifts

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Medium • Mat: Side-lying

Lying on one side in a long line, lift and lower the top leg with the pelvis absolutely still.

Side leg kicks front and back

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Medium • Mat: Side-lying

Top leg at hip height, swing it forward with a double pulse and reach it back with a long spine.

Side leg circles

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Medium • Mat: Side-lying

Small controlled circles with the top leg, equal in size in both directions.

Bicycle side-lying

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Medium • Mat: Side-lying

Cycle the top leg forward and back in a large controlled circle with a bent-knee transition.

Inner thigh lifts

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Medium • Mat: Side-lying

Top leg crossed in front, lift the bottom leg from the inner thigh.

Clam

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Beginner • Mat: Side-lying

Knees bent and stacked, open the top knee while keeping the feet together and the pelvis quiet.

Side plank on the knee

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Advanced • Mat: Side-lying

Support on forearm and lower knee, lift the hips to a straight diagonal line.

Full side plank with leg lift

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Ultra • Mat: Side-lying

Straight-arm side plank with the top leg lifting slowly and lowering with control.

Side kneeling star

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Ultra • Mat: Side-lying

Kneeling side plank with the top arm and leg reaching long in opposition.

Side-lying hot potato

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Medium • Mat: Side-lying

Tap the top toe front and back of the bottom foot, then hold and pulse the leg high.

Swan prep

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Medium • Mat: Prone & back extension

Prone, hands under the shoulders, lift the chest into a long extension without crunching the neck.

Full swan dive

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Ultra • Mat: Prone & back extension

Rock forward and back in extension with the arms reaching long overhead.

Single-leg kick

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Medium • Mat: Prone & back extension

Prone on the forearms, kick one heel to the seat with a double pulse.

Double-leg kick

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Advanced • Mat: Prone & back extension

Hands clasped on the low back, kick both heels three times then extend the chest.

Swimming

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Advanced • Mat: Prone & back extension

Prone, lift opposite arm and leg and flutter them quickly while the abdominals stay lifted.

Breaststroke

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Medium • Mat: Prone & back extension

Prone, sweep the arms wide and back while lifting the chest, then reach them forward again.

Dart

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Beginner • Mat: Prone & back extension

Arms alongside the body, lift the chest and hands as the shoulder blades slide down.

Rest and reach (quadruped)

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Medium • Mat: Prone & back extension

On all fours, extend opposite arm and leg to a straight line without twisting.

Leg pull front

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Advanced • Mat: Prone & back extension

Plank position, lift one leg at a time while the hips stay level.

Leg pull back

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Advanced • Mat: Prone & back extension

Reverse plank, lift one leg at a time keeping the chest open and the hips high.

Shoulder bridge

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Beginner • Mat: Prone & back extension

Roll the pelvis up to a bridge, hold with the hips level, then roll down articulating the spine.

Single-leg bridge

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Advanced • Mat: Prone & back extension

Bridge with one leg extended, keeping the pelvis square as you lower and lift.

Standing roll-down

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Beginner • Mat: Standing & balance

Roll down through the spine and back up, letting the head lead and the knees stay soft.

Standing footwork rises

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Beginner • Mat: Standing & balance

Heels together toes apart, rise on the balls of the feet and lower slowly.

Standing single-leg balance

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Advanced • Mat: Standing & balance

Balance on one leg with the other at tabletop, hold and add small arm reaches.

Standing leg circles

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Medium • Mat: Standing & balance

Balancing on one leg, circle the free leg from the hip with a stable pelvis.

Squat to relevé

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Medium • Mat: Standing & balance

Small squat with the spine tall, then rise to the toes as you straighten.

Standing side bend

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Medium • Mat: Standing & balance

Feet hip-width, reach overhead into a long side bend and return through centre.

Curtsy lunge with reach

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Medium • Mat: Standing & balance

Step back and across into a curtsy lunge with an opposite arm reach for balance.

Standing pelvic tilts

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Beginner • Mat: Standing & balance

Small tilts of the pelvis in standing to link Pilates control to upright posture.

Magic circle inner thigh squeeze

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Medium • Mat: Small props (band, ball, ring)

Supine with the ring between the knees, squeeze and release with a steady exhale.

Magic circle chest press

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Medium • Mat: Small props (band, ball, ring)

Ring between the palms, press and release while keeping the shoulders down.

Small ball bridge

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Beginner • Mat: Small props (band, ball, ring)

Ball between the knees, bridge up while maintaining a constant gentle squeeze.

Small ball roll-back

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Medium • Mat: Small props (band, ball, ring)

Seated, hold the ball forward and curl back into a C-curve, then restack.

Band pull-apart

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Beginner • Mat: Small props (band, ball, ring)

Hold a band shoulder-width and open the arms wide, squeezing the mid-back.

Band leg press supine

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Medium • Mat: Small props (band, ball, ring)

Band around the feet, press the legs long and resist the return, like feet in straps.

Band standing row

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Medium • Mat: Small props (band, ball, ring)

Band anchored ahead, pull the elbows back with a tall spine and quiet shoulders.

Foam roller spine release

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Beginner • Mat: Small props (band, ball, ring)

Lying long on the roller, open the arms wide to release the chest and thoracic spine.

Foam roller balance dead bug

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Advanced • Mat: Small props (band, ball, ring)

Balance on the roller and lower opposite arm and leg with total control.

Overball neck support curl-up

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Beginner • Mat: Small props (band, ball, ring)

Ball behind the head to support the neck during curl-up and hundred variations.