Reformer Pilates: Pull Straps

Reformer Repertoire

Long Box Arm Work:

Pull Straps

Alternate Names

Plough, Pull Straps 1

Derived From

Classical Reformer: Pull Straps

Primary Element

Mobility

Why for Primary?

To increase range of motion in thoracic extension as well as shoulder extension.

Secondary Element

Mobility

Why for Secondary?

To develop and build strength in the shoulder extensor muscles or when the arms sweep back and upwards

  • Posterior deltoid
  • Latissimus dorsi
  • Teres major

 

To strengthen the thoracic extensor muscles or when lifting the chest up or back

  • Erector spinae
  • Middle and lower trapezius

 

To strengthens the abdominals in a prone position.

Tertiary Element

Stability

Why Tertiary?

To strengthen and develop control in the abdominal muscles transversus abdominis to create pelvis and torso stability whilst in a prone position.

Repetitions

8-10

Apparatus Setup

Suggested springs

  • Number system: 1 x spring
  • Colour system: 1 x red
  • Resistance: light

 

Foot Bar down to the lowest position.

Pilates box in the ‘long box’ position with the short edge against the shoulder blocks.

Plane of Motion

Sagittal

Targeted Muscles

The thoracic extensor muscles or when lifting the chest up or back

  • Iliocostalis
  • Longissimus
  • Spinalis – the main extensor (backward bending) muscle of the thoracic spine, located on either side of the vertebral column
  • Middle and lower trapezius

 

The shoulder extensor muscles

  • Posterior deltoid
  • Latissimus dorsi
  • Teres major

Warnings

This exercise may be unsuitable for clients where lying prone is contraindicated. It can be done standing holding to light hand weights, watching for pelvis stability throughout and avoiding overextending into the lumbar spine. Alternatively the exercise Kneeling Arm Work Forward: Chest Expansion also works the shoulders in extension without the thoracic extension component nor the prone component.

The exercise may be difficult for clients who present with tight chests or pectoralis muscles. Pectoralis release work or stretches may be beneficial before this exercise to assist with range of motion.

Execution

Lie prone on the long box facing the head rest, hands holding the straps or ropes with arms extended forward. Legs actively lifted and adducted, feet plantar flexed reaching behind the body.

Inhale to peel the sternum up off the long box into thoracic extension, sweeping the arms long beside the box to the hips. Exhale to return to the start position.

Observations

Do a body scan of the client taking note of the following points

  • Head and Neck
    • Is the back of the neck long and crease free? A slight retraction of the neck with the chin tucked can help avoid straining the neck
  • Shoulders
    • Are the arms reaching back and upwards?
  • Pelvis
    • Are the hip bones even horizontally or is the client leaning to one side?
    • Is the client about to keep a posterior tilt throughout with the pubic bone pressing into the long box? Avoiding over extending in the lumbar spine?
  • Legs
    • Are the legs engaged with the thigh’s lifted off the box, the lifting and lowering coming from the gluteals and hamstrings?

Learning Style Technique Cues

Auditory – word associations that connect mind and body

  • Peel the chest up off the box, maintaining length through the neck. 
  • Say the client’s name when you’re about to interact with them
  • Start the movement by sweeping the arms beside the box and then lifting the forehead, sternum and shoulders off the box

 

Visual

  • Imagine a carnival ferris wheel ride. Each component of the body lifting after the other into back extension – the head, the chest and shoulders, then the reverse
  • You may demonstrate a part of the movement as a visual representation for the client to see

 

Kinaesthetic

  • Feel the arms working and lifting from the shoulders
  • Feel the lungs expanding in the rib cage creating more space as you inhale and lift up off the box

Modifications and Variations

Regress the exercise by

  • Standing and creating the movements without the pull of gravity using a set of hand weights for resistance in shoulder extension
  • Reduce the repetitions and/or pace
  • Reduce the spring setting to 1 x blue spring 
  • Working on Warm Up: Back Extension Preparation to practice the thoracic extension component
  • Working on Kneeling Arm Work Forward: Chest Expansion to practice the shoulder extension without lying prone

 

Progress the exercise by

  • Increase the repetitions and/or pace
  • Increase the range of motion
  • Increase the spring settings to 1 red spring and 1 blue spring
  • Lie on a less stable or smaller surface, for example moving the Pilates box to the ‘short box’ position
  • Working towards: Long Box Arm Work: T Straps

Series and Transitions

This exercise is part of the Long Box Arm Work series which includes a range of other exercises in the progressive repertoire. The Long Box Arm Work series is known as the Pull Straps series in Classical Reformer Pilates.

Progressive repertoire