Strengthen Your Back with Pilates

Your core - or, according to the discipline of pilates, your powerhouse - is the point from which all you movements originate. That's why it is vital to maintain a strong, healthy core that helps reduce lower back strain and chances of injury. This video goes over the top thr ...more

Learn how to do lower back extensions. Presented by Real Jock Gay Fitness Health & Life. Benefits This exercise isolates and strengthens the often-neglected lower back muscles. Muscles Worked Lower back Starting Position Lie face downward on the back extension machine. Your ...more

Learn how to do tube pull downs. Presented by Real Jock Gay Fitness Health & Life. Benefits Get a quality warm up and workout for your lats, traps, and rhomboids with the resistance of tube pull-downs. Muscles Worked Back (lats, traps, rhomboids) Starting Position Take one ...more

Learn how to do tube rows. Presented by Real Jock Gay Fitness Health & Life. Benefits Resistance tubes are a great alternative to the cable machine, because with tubes the resistance becomes greatest when the muscle is at its most flexed. For tube rows, keep your motion conti ...more

This how to video is a demonstration of an exercise which contributes to back strength and core stability. The bridge exercise should not be attempted if you have shoulder problems. Watch this tutorial and you will be able to do the bridge exercise.

Bring your body into balance as your improve your fitness and flexibility by practicing yoga. This pose, called Saithalyasana or Animal Relaxation Pose, is an excellent stretch for the low back, hamstrings, and hips. This video will teach you how to improve your posture, gain ...more

Wheel pose, also known as Chakrasana is one the most famous poses in yoga. It is well known because it delivers many benefits, ranging from improved strength and flexibility of the back, legs and arms to relief of hormonal imbalances.

This pilates how-to video illustrates the Obliques Roll Back exercise. This is a challenging rotational pilates exercise for athletes and advanced clients. Obliques Roll Back targets the obliques, transversus abdominis and rectus abdominis. Focus on opening your hip joints to ...more

Search "Pilates animation" on Wonderhowto for other more videos by this user. If you are looking a for a quick pilates reference, take a look at this pilates animation. This a quick & easy, clearly explained diagram of the pilates mat exercise: Classical Pilates for Beginners ...more

This clip offers advice on how to use a Pilates Reformer table to strengthen your hip muscles. With Pilates, as with any physical fitness system, a basic mastery of proper technique is essential for both maximizing the effectiveness of your workouts and avoiding accidental inj ...more

In this clip, learn the proper method for performing back extensions on a Pilates Reformer. With pilates, as with any physical fitness system, a basic mastery of proper technique is essential for both maximizing the effectiveness of your workouts and avoiding accidental injury ...more

In this clip, you'll learn how to reduce pack pain through use of a Pilates Reformer exercise device. With Pilates, as with any physical fitness system, a basic mastery of proper technique is essential for both maximizing the effectiveness of your workouts and avoiding acciden ...more

Pilates is a great exercise for toning abs, but seldom do pilates junkies break a sweat. Turn the sticky mat sport into a cardio routine by watching this video on how to do hula hoop pilates. Pilates instructor Jen Bleier, who teaches Hoopilates classes in New York, will show ...more

This clip demonstrates a technique to strengthen the muscles that balance the hip using a Pilates arc. With Pilates, as with any physical fitness system, a basic mastery of proper technique is essential for both maximizing the effectiveness of your workouts and avoiding accide ...more

In this yoga how-to video Esther demonstrates a routine to strengthen your upper and mid back. Start on your hands and knees and curl your back. Proceed to downward dog and then plank pose. Watch to learn more about strengthening your mid and lower back with this yoga routine.

Visit any gym and you'll see almost all the fitness freaks crunching their abs and lifting weights to tone their arms and midsection. But toning your back is just as important for looking lean and staying strong and fit. Watch this video to learn back strengthening exercises ...more

This clip demonstrates three EXO chair Pilates exercises for strengthening your lower body. With Pilates, as with any physical fitness system, a basic mastery of proper technique is essential for both maximizing the effectiveness of your workouts and avoiding accidental injury ...more

Swimming is an original Pilates exercise that strengthens the muscles of the back and strengthens the core. By focusing on pulling in the abdominals (even though you're lying on them!) you'll not only flatten the abs but also protect the lower back. Watch this fitness how to v ...more

The Prone leg lifts are variations of the classical pilates exercise the Swan Dive. This exercise tones and strengthens the back of the legs (hamstrings and glutes) and improves hip extension, both necessary components of a good Swan Dive. Remember to keep your abdominal muscl ...more

All practioners of Pilates are familiar with the original Pilates exercise "the Teaser." These "mini-teasers" are precursors to the full teaser to teach you how to do it right. By learning proper form, you will learn to strengthen and tone your abdominals without straining you ...more

Learn how to do a hand to foot stability ball pass. Presented by Real Jock Gay Fitness Health & Life. Benefits This Pilates-based exercise will help strengthen your core and train your balance and coordination. Starting Position Lie on the floor on your back. Hold a stabilit ...more

Katherine and Kimberly Corp show you how to do the Toe Taps pilates exercise. This exercise is used for strengthening your abs and lower back.

Katherine and Kimberly Corp show you how to do the half swan pilates exercise. This exercise is used for relieving neck and shoulder tension and strengthening the upper back muscles.

The side leg lift series is part of the classical Pilates repertoire and the circles strengthen the core, flatten the abdominal muscles and tone the inner and outer thighs. If you feel strain in your lower back, bring your legs slightly forward of your body, but for a real cha ...more

The Superman is a variation on original pilates exercises that strengthens the muscles of the upper back and improves posture. Be sure to keep the shoulders down, especially when the arms reach forward, in order to keep tension out of the neck and shoulders. The Superman stren ...more

In this Pilates how-to video Diane Preusch, co-owner of Pilates Center of Bend in Bend, demonstrates Spine Twist Supine, a great warm up exercise that stretches your back while strengthening your abs. She will show you an beginners, intermediate, and advanced level version of ...more

Short Plank is derived from original pilates exercises in order to teach proper abdominal and torso support in the push up position. The exercise in this how to video will strengthen your core, strengthen your shoulder girdle stabilizers and target the deep muscles of the abdo ...more

The one leg kick is an original pilates exercise that strengthens the hamstrings and glutes. You'll tone the back of the legs and firm your butt while increasing your abdominal strength as you hold your abs off the floor. If you have tight quads, only bend your knee as far as ...more

Swan Dive Graceful Rocks is a variation on the original Pilates exercise "Swan Dive." It strengthens the gluteus muscles (so your butt will get firmer.) and increases flexibility of the spine. Keeping your abdominal muscles engaged throughout will increase core strength and pr ...more

The Hip Twist is an original pilates exercise that strengthens the abdominals and the core. By focusing on a modest range of motion to start and the correct use of the abdominal muscles, your abs will get stronger and flatter and you will protect your lower back. Watch this fi ...more

Neck Pull #1 is an easier version of the original Pilates exercise Neck Pull which helps build strength and increase spinal flexibility. By focusing on keeping the abdominal muscles pulled in flat throughout the exercise, the lower back is always protected and the abdominal mu ...more

Pilates exercises involve strengthening the core and flattening the abs, so why are your instructors always talking about the pelvis? This how to video explains the importance of pelvic placement and how it relates to the lower back and the muscles around the hip joint. Just b ...more

What's so important about toning up your midsection? Well, other than the obvious reason, which is that lots of gals like to look hot and svelte in their bikini, strengthening your core helps you sit taller, look more lean, and prevents back injuries. Strengthening your core ...more

The Double Leg Kick is an original pilates exercise that strengthens the muscles of the back and increases flexibility of the spine. As this exercise involves a lot of spinal extension, it is important to keep your abdominal muscles engaged and progress through this exercise a ...more

This back routine will not only strengthen your back, making you less prone to a running injury, but it will also give you a better, more upright posture when you run. Consisting of exercises like arm and leg lifts and double arm raises, this back routine is challenging but we ...more

Ardha-Ushtrasana, or Half Camel Pose, is a Yoga pose designed to help strengthen your neck, back, pelvis and abdominal muscles while also helping you to relax. It's great for relieving back ache, rounded back, and drooping shoulders. In this video you will get a quick tutorial ...more

Target your posterior chain muscles. In this video from Men's Health, see a leg workout called the "single-leg squat touch down". This squat targets the muscles of the posterior chain, the glutes, hamstrings, and lower back. Balance on your left leg with your knees slightly b ...more

Learn how to do reverse dumbbell flys on incline bench. Presented by Real Jock Gay Fitness Health & Life. Benefits Making sure your shoulders are evenly balanced from front to back is a must. Use this exercise to both strengthen and develop the back of your shoulders. The incl ...more

Katherine and Kimberly Corp show you how to do a thirty minute (30 min) pilates workout to tone your abs, strengthen your core, and improve spinal flexibility. This is ideal for beginners, and advanced practitioners looking for a challenge.

This exercise is called the "single-leg, single-arm, Romanian deadlift" and provides a great leg workout. Men's Health gives the details on this exercise, which as well as blitzing your hamstrings, glutes, and lower back, this move will strengthen your core muscles and stabili ...more

Sophie Rycott demonstrates how women with large breasts may exercise. She describes how to strengthen the key muscles to conquer upper back and shoulder tension and pain and be free from discomfort. Four exercises you can do are: the dart, pull down, push ups, and hug a tree. ...more

The Pilates Stomach Series is also known as the “fabulous five,” because of the wonderful way the five movements tone the tummy. You will need a mat, floor space, and some flexibility. Pilates tip: If at any time your lower back comes off the mat, bring your legs higher as you ...more

Katherine and Kimberly Corp show you how to do a ten-minute (10 min) "butt burner" pilates workout. This routine tones the back of your legs and backside.

Learn how to do seated reverse flys. Presented by Real Jock Gay Fitness Health & Life. Benefits Seated reverse dumbbell flys strengthen and develop the rear deltoids, the often-used but hard-to-isolate back of your shoulders. Muscles Worked Shoulders (rear deltoids) Startin ...more

Katherine and Kimberly Corp show you how to do the Long Plank Series pilates exercise. This exercise is used for developing ab and lower back strength.

Sophie Rycott demonstrates how you can warm up and cool down for pilates. There are four warm ups: shoulder rolls, feet circles and flexes, hip rotation, and arm opening. There are four cool downs as well: neck and spine stretch, hip and gluteus stretch, hip flexor stretch, an ...more

This pilates how-to video illustrates the Pilates Spine Twist exercise. This exercise is great for spinal rotation. The Spine Twist exercise targets the transversus abdominis, pelvic floor, obliques and scapular stabilizers. Focus on maintaining abdominal contraction to preve ...more

In this Fitness video tutorial you will learn how to use pilates to achieve slimmer legs and thighs. Lie down flat on your back, hands extended along the side of the body and both legs up. Put one leg down and circle the raised leg for eight to twelve times. Keep both hips and ...more

In this video, we learn how to raise your metabolism with yoga power poses. The style and level that you do while doing yoga poses can help you burn a lot of calories and sweat. You will work the larger muscles of your body, which will speed up your metabolism and help you bur ...more

Learn how to do step back lunges with a plate twist. Presented by Real Jock Gay Fitness Health & Life. Benefits Strengthen the stability of your core and your hips as you give your legs a workout. Using a weight plate and body twist adds an intense edge to the classic lunge. ...more

Learn how to do flat bench leg lifts. Presented by Real Jock Gay Fitness Health & Life. Benefits Looking for a excellent way to flatten and strengthen the lower abdominal muscles? The flat bench leg lifts hits the lower abdominals directly for an excellent isolated workout. M ...more

We're going to look at 2 great core strengthening exercises. The Core Area, the abdominals, definitely corresponds with a stronger back so it's something that you want to do several times a week, once the body is warmed up, and remember to keep breathing so that you're supplyi ...more

Strengthen your back and shoulders with Dave's top three exercises. Follow along in this fitness how-to video to learn how to do squeezers, 90/90s and rowing with thumbs up. These three different exercises are sure to help strengthen and sculpt your shoulders and back.

Learn how to do the donkey leg stretch exercise with this tutorial. The donkey leg stretch is a back and buttock muscle strengthening exercise. Watch this how to video and you can strengthen your back and butt with the donkey leg exercise.

Unilateral pull down are an essential part of lifting weights and strength training. This fitness how-to video tutorial demonstrates how to strengthen the back with unilateral pull downs. Learn tips and techniques for working out the chest, back, shoulders, and arms in this we ...more

Suffering from lower back pain? Then a little yoga can help ease the suffering. This yoga how-to video demonstrate a sequence of yoga movements that can help to strengthen your back muscles.

If you are looking for a low impact exercise with tremendous benefits, consider exploring yoga. This pose, called Janu Sirasanasa, or Head to Knee pose, will stretch and strengthen your back, legs, core and internal organs. Practicing yoga can also bring calm and clarity to th ...more

Learn how to do the cat and camel exercise with this tutorial. The cat and camel is a exercise for the lumbar region of the back. You can strengthen your lower back with the cat and camel exercise shown in this how to video.

Fitness trainer Sonny Wang shows you how to lift a heavy cooler properly so you don't hurt your back. Then, he gives a couple of exercises you can do at the beach or park to strengthen your back and abs. One of the exercises uses the cooler. Sonny is a fitness trainer and gues ...more

Learn how you can do the donkey kick exercise with this fitness tutorial. Donkey kicks strengthen your lower back and gluts. With the steps in this how to video you can get in shape with donkey kicks.