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Hug With Standing Arm Springs on the Pilates Cadillac

IntermediateStrengthTier T2

A standing arm hug on a Pilates cadillac. You stand with your back to the uprights holding spring handles upright, reach your arms forward against the springs toward each other, then open them wide.

Targets: Shoulder

Stop if

Choose an easier exercise if pain reaches 6 out of 10 or becomes sharp. Stop and rest if pain reaches 8 out of 10.

This is the general ClapMove rule. This exercise has no extra stop rule of its own.

  • Pain 6 out of 10 or more: choose an easier exercise.
  • Pain 8 out of 10 or more: stop and rest.

Equipment needed

No equipment needed

Dosage

3

Sets

10

Reps / Time

45 sec

Rest

controlled

Tempo

Step-by-Step Guide

Set up

  • Stand with the back to the cadillac uprights, the arm springs hooked at shoulder height or just above, one handle in each hand held vertical with the whole palm pressing into it.
  • Keep the weight across all four corners of the feet and lean slightly forward while still reaching through the heels, arms opened wide to the sides from the back.
  1. A man stands at the cadillac end with his back to the uprights, arms opened wide to the sides reaching from his back, both spring lines drawn back to the vertical handles, weight across all four corners of his feet.

    Step 1 of 5

    Stand back to the uprights, handles vertical, arms opened wide from the back.

  2. His arms are partway forward from wide, still long, the springs stretched as the reach travels from his back toward the front.

    Step 2 of 5

    Reach the arms forward from the back against the springs.

  3. His arms have drawn toward each other in front, hands nearing but not touching, the springs at their working stretch.

    Step 3 of 5

    Reach the arms toward each other at the hug close.

  4. His arms are opening back wide against the springs under control, the handles still vertical, the lean still in the heels.

    Step 4 of 5

    Reach into the springs and open the arms wide to repeat.

  5. A man stands at the cadillac end with his back to the uprights, arms opened wide to the sides reaching from his back, both spring lines drawn back to the vertical handles, weight across all four corners of his feet.

    Step 5 of 5

    Stand back to the uprights, handles vertical, arms opened wide from the back.

Safety Information

Stand with the back to the springs hooked at shoulder height or just above, one handle in each hand held vertical with the whole palm pressing, weight across all four corners of the feet and a slight forward lean kept in the heels; reach the arms wide from the back, then forward and toward each other, then open them wide into the springs and repeat, stacking the shoulders back over the hips and heels at the end. Warning: it is not ideal for some shoulder and neck issues. Losing control of the springs means resetting closer or with more control. Anyone with a shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, back or balance problem should ask a physical therapist or physician before attempting this exercise and stop at pain or dizziness. Stop if the exercise causes pain or you become unwell. Seek appropriate professional advice about symptoms or suitability.