How to Strengthen Your Back with Pilates - Method 2

Achieve a well-defined, beautiful back by following this Pilates workout four times a week. In just a month, you will begin to notice a difference in how you look and feel. Get rid of those back aches and pains forever!

Method 2 of 4: Opposite Arm and Leg Reaches

1 Prepare. The breathing is the same as in the previous exercise, but here we will perform the movement in 2 breaths.

• Stay in exactly the same position as in the cat stretch.
• If your wrists are beginning to tire, relax for a few minutes and gently circle them round.

2  Inhale to prepare. As you exhale, lift the right hand and left knee off the floor, fully extending both out in opposite directions.

3  Inhale to return to all fours again. Then exhale, and do the same on the other side.

4  Repeat. Repeat this six times in total - three times each side.

5   Pay particular attention to the supporting arm and leg. Do not allow them to collapse taking the body out of line.

Content provided by WikiHow, a wiki that is building the world's largest and highest quality how-to manual.  Please edit this article content and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Strengthen Your Back with Pilates.  Content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons License.