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Exercise handout — move better, feel better.
Breathing With the Roll Back Bar and Trapeze on the Pilates Cadillac
You lie on your back with your feet in the hanging trapeze strap, heels together, and hold the roll-back bar as wide as you can. You breathe in, press the bar down, and lift your hips up, then hold the lift as you breathe.
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
8
Reps / Time
60 sec
Rest
controlled
Tempo
Step-by-Step Guide
Set up
- Move the trapeze to your wingspan so the strap hangs at about mid-shin and straight up and down once the feet are in; lie supine, head about a hand's distance from the mat edge.
- Place the feet in the strap hugging the heels together; hold the roll-back bar as wide as you can.

Step 1 of 5
Lie supine with your feet in the hanging strap and your heels hugged together, hands on the roll-back bar as wide as you can, head a hand's distance from the edge.

Step 2 of 5
Inhale and simultaneously press the bar down and lift your hips up, pressing down from your back with wide collarbones.

Step 3 of 5
Hold the lifted position for five counts, keeping the length and feeling the hamstrings and seat press the hips up.

Step 4 of 5
Exhale as you lower your hips and return the bar; repeat for three to five lifts total.

Step 5 of 5
Lie supine with your feet in the hanging strap and your heels hugged together, hands on the roll-back bar as wide as you can, head a hand's distance from the edge.
Breathing
- Inhale as you lift your hips and press the bar down; hold your breath for five counts; exhale as you lower your hips and return the bar.
Safety Information
Beginners may hook the feet around the strap then progress to hugging heels. The press comes from the back with wide collarbones and the knees are not hyper-extended. Caution: start with just the legs, then just the arms, then combine. 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.
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Printed from clapmove.com. ClapMove is not a replacement for professional medical advice — always consult a healthcare provider before starting any exercise program.