Pilates Exercises with the Magic Circle

As much as we love Pilates mat work on its own, adding props can be a fun way to add some variety. Depending on how you use them, they can make an exercise more challenging or they can assist you through challenging movements. 

The exercises below use a Magic Circle. Try them out and let me know in the comments which ones are your favorites!

You'll find videos and detailed descriptions of each of these exercises inside the Pilates Encyclopedia membership!

 

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Pilates Exercises with the Magic Circle

Supine

• Bridging: Squeeze ring between knees 
• Table Top: Squeeze ring between knees 
• Hamstring Stretch: One leg extended to the ceiling, foot in ring
• Adductor Stretch: One leg extended to the ceiling, foot in ring
• IT Band Stretch: One leg extended to the ceiling, foot in ring
• Lower and Lift: Hold ring between ankles 
• Double Leg stretch: Hold ring between ankles
• Hundred: Hold ring between ankles
• Lower and Lift: Slide legs into the ring, and hold it just above your ankles
• Double Leg Stretch: Slide legs into the ring, and hold it just above your ankles
• Arm Arcs: Hold ring between hands
• Double Leg stretch: Hold ring between hands

Side-Lying

• Side Balance: Hold ring between shins (just above ankles)
• Side Balance and push down with top leg Bottom leg inside ring, top leg on top of ring
• Side Balance and bottom leg lift
• Side Balance and top leg half circles: Bottom leg inside ring, top leg on top of ring

Prone

• Hamstring Curls: Squeeze ring between one heel and buttock
• Dart: Hold ring behind your back

Seated

• Rolling Like a Ball: Hold ring with hands
• The Roll Up: Hold ring with hands
• Teaser: Hold ring with hands
• Open Leg Rocker: Squeeze ring between ankles
• Assisted Roll up: Squeeze ring between ankles
• Assisted Roll Up: Slide legs inside the ring

Kneeling + Quadruped

• The Z: Hold ring in hands
• Push-ups with ring under sternum

Standing

• Balance on one leg > add pulses Squeeze ring between shins (just above ankles)
• Heel Raises: Squeeze ring between shins (just above ankles)
• Arm Raises: Hold ring 
• Side Bend: Hold ring overhead
• Squeeze in front of body with arms low
• Squeeze in front of body with arms at shoulder height
• Squeeze in front of the body with arms high
• Squeeze behind the body with arms low (turn ring vertical)
• One leg balance: Lift one leg forward, place the foot into the ring: One leg balance
• Biceps curl: Place ring on one shoulder: press down
• Push inward: Place ring against the side of your hip

Do you have any other favorites I didn't mention here? Let me know in the comments!