Strengthen and toning class using Pilates circle (or ring) equipment

This class modifies some classic Pilates exercises using the Pilates circle which is a great piece of small equipment to help to strengthen and tone our muscles. The class is suitable for an intermediate level but please go to a level that you feel comfortable with. This class includes:

• Spine twist in sitting
• Arm pulses using the Pilates circle
• Side lying leg lift sideways against the Pilates circle
• Hundreds
• Shoulder bridge
• Arm raises with variations
• Cool down lower back and leg stretches

This is a mat based class using the Pilates circle. Starting in sitting we warm up our upper body with a spine twist movement and challenge our core and upper body with some arm pulses. Moving down into side lying we then work our glute muscles with a leg lift sideways using the resistance of the Pilates circle.

On our sides we also strengthen our inner thigh muscles with some pulses. Moving around onto our back we then engage and strengthen our inner thigh muscles further with some pulses against the Pilates circle. We also work on some abdominal muscle strengthening with a hundreds exercise. In this position we also strengthen our core with some modified bridge movements, again using the Pilates circle for some extra resistance and strengthening.

We then cool down on the mat with some lower back and leg stretches before finishing the class.