Spring Setting and Key Facts
- Springs
- 1× light
- Reps
- 6–8 reps per variation
- Level
- Beginner
- Equipment
- Reformer
- Muscles
- Obliques, Upper back, Shoulders
- Video tutorial
- in the member area
Starting Position
Sitting or kneeling sideways on the carriage, facing right, the right arm bent in front of the belly, palm toward the belly, the other hand on the hip.
Step-by-Step Flow
- Pull the long right arm at shoulder height toward the footbar.
- Take the strap with both hands and rotate toward the footbar (optionally coming up onto the knees).
- Take the left hand into the long strap too, bend both arms at shoulder height with palms facing forward, and bring the bent arms up overhead.
Cues for Teaching
- The rotation comes from the rib cage, the pelvis stays quiet.
- The shoulder stays down, even as the arm pulls.
- As the arms go overhead, keep the ribs knitted.
Featured in These Classes
This exercise is part of a ready-made reformer class plan with class outline, springs and cues:
With video in the plan “Reformer for Beginners: Starting in the Well”The whole exercise on video, step by step, with springs and cues. The video plays inside the plan.Go to the plan →