Hannahlaneblogs

Pilates has been my favorite form of workout lately. That combined with spin, barre, and strength training. One of the best things about pilates is that you can do all the exercises without any weight which makes it easier to do when you don’t have access to the gym or are traveling and cannot travel with weights or equipment. The recreation center at UMass offers pilates and barre classes which I tried out last semester allowing me to find new forms of exercise.

One of my issues I’ve always had since I started out since I started going to the gym in 6th grade was trying to find the right exercises and things to tone the parts of my body I wanted to tone. I had a period of time in high school where I learned that “girls shouldn’t be bulky” or “women weren’t made to throw weight around like men”. Both are total lies!! We can do whatever we want- no matter who you are! I workout to make myself feel better and to make my body stronger. Throughout pilates I learned how to target my love handles, core, and butt more (I knowww basic again.)

I find lots of my at-home pilates workouts from Pinterest or write some of my own based on my favorites from classes I have done. Below is a list of some of my favorites. I tend to do these for one minute and fifteen seconds and then rotate to the next one. 

Arms:

• Pushups (sometimes after a while I go onto my knees)
• Pushup position arm pulse 
• Raise The Roofs
• Tricep Dips

Core

• Plank Twists
• Leg Lowers 
• Leg Windshield Wipers
• Toe Touches
• Dead Bugs
• Regular Sit Ups
• Russian Twists

Legs/Butt

• Glute Bridges
• Glute Bridge Pulse 
• Leg Lifts (Each side)
• Fire Hydrant (Each side)
• Clam Shells (Each side)
• Sumo Squat
• Curtsy Squat

I hope y’all enjoyed this list and can incorporate some of these exercises into your pilates or workout routine. All of these can be modified by adding weights and some of these with bands. Adding a band to the glute bridges and leg lifts provides and extra challenge (and burn). You can also add a dumbbell to the glute bridges or hold one up over your head for the toe touches, leg windshield wipers, or  the leg lowers. 

It can be hard to get something in during the winter months- it’s very cold and easy to lose motivation, but it is very healthy and beneficial to try and get something in every single day. Even if it’s just doing some lunges around your kitchen or throwing the ball to your dog outside. The best part of this entire list is that it can be done in your bedroom or office if you needed!

Spreading positive vibes to you in your workout!! And warmer weather as well!!

Xoxo,

Hannahlane