Life Fitness Peak Pilates Reformer - Manual (Page 47)

44 Using the Peak PilateSystem
Exercise 6: Cadillac – Chest Expansion
Goals of Exercise: Strengthens abdominals, opens chest, and stretches neck.
Set Up
1. Convert to Mat mode.
2. Verify that the Arm Springs are attached to the Roll
Down Bar. Attach the other end of the Arm Springs
to the top Eye Bolts located on the Pole System.
3. Kneeling hip width apart, face the Roll Down Bar.
Place your hands on the bar in line with your
shoulders making sure the body is one arm length
away from the Pole System.
Execution
1. Holding onto the bar, pull straight down from your
back and reach long for your thighs.
2. Open your chest and draw your shoulders down the
back. Keep the abdominals strong and inner thighs
active.
3. Lengthen the crown of the head, widen the
collarbone, and keep your knees light on the mat.
Take a deep breath, hold the breath, and look to one
shoulder, to the center, to the other shoulder, and back
to the center.
4. Slowly release the bar. Stay tall, exhale, and pull the
abdominals in and up.
Caution: If you have a knee problem, either perform this exercise standing or omit.
Skill: Intermediate Repetitions: 3 sets