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Wednesday pilates

Wednesday pilates.

Reformer exercise for posture, control,  balance and flexibility.
The control needed to stabilise and move the reformer slowly in and out smoothly engages so many muscles.
Core, tummy, glutes, hamstrings, abductors, calf muscles....
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Reformer exercise for posture, control, balance and flexibility.
The control needed to stabilise and move the reformer slowly in and out smoothly engages so many muscles.
Core, tummy, glutes, hamstrings, abductors, calf muscles….
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.
.
.

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My happy place riding on the beach

My happy place riding on the beach.

Loving the reflections in the water.

Riding is great for core strength and also the abductor (inner thigh) muscles.
I horseride in conjunction with weekly Pilates classes.
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Loving the reflections in the water.

Riding is great for core strength and also the abductor (inner thigh) muscles.
I horseride in conjunction with weekly Pilates classes.
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.
.
.
.

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Modified side plank exercise

Modified side plank exercise.

This is an easier version of the plank. 
This is a good alternative plank strengthening exercise, especially after a knee injury as there is no pressure or strain on the knees holding in this position when the core or glutes and hamstrings are still weak.
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with thanks to @theliftingphysio

This is an easier version of the plank.
This is a good alternative plank strengthening exercise, especially after a knee injury as there is no pressure or strain on the knees holding in this position when the core or glutes and hamstrings are still weak.
.
.
.
.
.
with thanks to @theliftingphysio

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Pilates hover exercise

Pilates hover exercise.

This exercise can be the precurser to a plank. It engages the glutes, core, and deep abdominals.  The back has to be straight and the head aligned. It's harder than it looks to keep the back in line and shoulders down and not curve the back upwards when raising and holding the hover position.
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with thanks to @theliftingphysio @bh_beyondhealth

This exercise can be the precurser to a plank. It engages the glutes, core, and deep abdominals. The back has to be straight and the head aligned. It’s harder than it looks to keep the back in line and shoulders down and not curve the back upwards when raising and holding the hover position.
.
.
.
.
.
with thanks to @theliftingphysio @bh_beyondhealth

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Hip flexor stretch

Hip flexor stretch.

Today's physio pilates rehab exercise.
Simple and so effective.
Sometimes when getting back to full strength less can be more.
A few repetitions correctly executed before your muscles tire again can be more efficient than loads of repetitions incorrectly done. .
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with thanks to @theliftingphysio @bh_beyondhealth

Today’s physio pilates rehab exercise.
Simple and so effective.
Sometimes when getting back to full strength less can be more.
A few repetitions correctly executed before your muscles tire again can be more efficient than loads of repetitions incorrectly done. .
.
.
.
.
with thanks to @theliftingphysio @bh_beyondhealth

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My wheat free low carb and protein breakfast

My wheat free low carb and protein breakfast.

The chef in the cafe who cooked breakfast this morning was obviously feeling creative with the chillies.
2 poached eggs on crushed avocado with chillies and wilted spinach. No toast and an espresso.

The chef in the cafe who cooked breakfast this morning was obviously feeling creative with the chillies.
2 poached eggs on crushed avocado with chillies and wilted spinach. No toast and an espresso.

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Basic mat pilates rehab with a band for glutes, core and hamstrings strengthening

Basic mat pilates rehab with a band for glutes, core and hamstrings strengthening.

Lie on your side 
Tie the band into a loop on one end and attach it around your foot.
Pull taut.
Lengthen through the top hip.
Draw your leg in 
Then back and straight
 and bring it back with control.
The better the leg position when straightened in line with the body and slightly back, the more you will feel the effect in your glutes of this exercise.

Lie on your side
Tie the band into a loop on one end and attach it around your foot.
Pull taut.
Lengthen through the top hip.
Draw your leg in
Then back and straight
and bring it back with control.
The better the leg position when straightened in line with the body and slightly back, the more you will feel the effect in your glutes of this exercise.

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A simple Pilates bridge to engage the glute posterior muscles

A simple Pilates bridge to engage the glute posterior muscles.

Feet hip width apart, Raise your bottom up into bridge,, lift your leg up, making sure you don't drop your hip.
You will see I dropped slightly more on one side than the other as that's my weaker side at the moment.
Try to place your foot down gently.
You only need to do 2 lifts each time before you come down, relax and reset.

Feet hip width apart, Raise your bottom up into bridge,, lift your leg up, making sure you don’t drop your hip.
You will see I dropped slightly more on one side than the other as that’s my weaker side at the moment.
Try to place your foot down gently.
You only need to do 2 lifts each time before you come down, relax and reset.

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Basic core and glute strengthening Physio pilates exercise

Basic core and glute strengthening Physio pilates exercise.

Lie with your feet on a ball.
Put downward pressure onto the ball and push the ball away from you. Then bring back in.
Engage the core and glutes to use the hip flexors less.
Make sure ribs are down, back is in neutral and toes relaxed. 
Its a slow journey to regaining full fitness after an injury. Patience is key.

With thanks to Tessa @theliftingphysio


@bh_beyondhealth

Lie with your feet on a ball.
Put downward pressure onto the ball and push the ball away from you. Then bring back in.
Engage the core and glutes to use the hip flexors less.
Make sure ribs are down, back is in neutral and toes relaxed.
Its a slow journey to regaining full fitness after an injury. Patience is key.

With thanks to Tessa @theliftingphysio

@bh_beyondhealth

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Back to pilates rehab exercises

Back to pilates rehab exercises.

Strengthening the core, glutes and hamstrings.
With thanks to  @bh_beyondhealth 
With even the simplest exercise it's important for the body to be correctly aligned  for the exercise to be targeting the muscles properly.

Strengthening the core, glutes and hamstrings.
With thanks to @bh_beyondhealth
With even the simplest exercise it’s important for the body to be correctly aligned for the exercise to be targeting the muscles properly.

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