Balanced Body Pilates Arc Manual

The PilaTes arc™ on The reformer
The Pilates Arc™ was designed to fit on all Balanced Body
Reformers in order to create new exercise possibilities for
teachers, therapists, students, clients and patients. The Pilates
Arc or Step Barrel is used to increase the strength and mobility
of the core and spine on the mat. When added to the Reformer,
it provides the perfect platform to develop coordination,
strength and balance.
•
The Arc allows you to add torso flexion and extension
elements into standard exercises such as Footwork.
•
Acts as a teaching tool for beginners in exercises such as
Stomach Massage.
•
Provides support for pregnant clients.
•
Adds new challenges to abdominal exercises such as the
Hundred.
•
And many more uses we haven't thought of yet!
Placing the Arc on the Reformer
Placing the The Pilates Arc on the Reformer is easy. Just lower
the headrest and place either the front arch (the arch under
the high slope end) or the middle arch over the shoulder rests
so the Arc sits flat on the carriage. You can use the Arc with
or without the step depending on which exercise you are
performing.
The Complete Arc on the Reformer
You can place the complete Pilates Arc on the Reformer in any
of the following configurations:
•
Step to footbar, middle arch over shoulder rest
•
Step to footbar, front arch over shoulder rest
•
Step to shoulder rests
The Arc only on the Reformer
You can place the Arc without the step on the Reformer in any
of the following positions.
•
High slope to footbar, middle arch over shoulder rest
•
High slope to footbar, front arch over shoulder rest
•
Low slope to footbar, middle arch over shoulder rest
In order to accommodate the Arc, you may have to adjust the
distance between the footbar and the carriage by moving the
Allegro® or infinity footbar® or moving the springbar away from
the footbar on the Revo® or One Step Reformer. Additional
settings are listed under each exercise.
Creating new exercises
All of the exercises in this manual were created by highly
experienced BBU faculty members. They are only a starting
point so be creative and let us know what you come up with! If
you want to share new exercises with other instructors please
contact nora.stjohn@pilates.com. Enjoy your Arc!
1 Whole arc, step to foot bar, middle arch
2 Whole arc, step to foot bar, front arch
3 Whole arc, step to straps
4 arc only, high slope to footbar, middle arch
5 arc only, high slope to footbar, front arch
6 arc only, low slope to footbar, middle arch
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