SIDE LYING LEG WORK ON THE ARC
BEGINNING | REPS 10 EACH
Springs:
2RB to 3RB
Footbar:
Low
Arc only:
Low slope to footbar, middle arch or
Arc and step:
Step toward the footbar, middle arch
The Side Lying Leg series helps develop medial and lateral
hip and leg strength to improve the stability of the hips
and pelvis in standing, walking and running. This is a very
useful exercises for balancing the forces around the knee,
hip and ankle.
STARTING POSITION
Lie on your side on the Reformer with the bottom leg bent
and the torso supported by the Arc. Support the head with
the hand. Place the top leg on the footbar in parallel with
the toes level with the end of the footbar padding to create
a right angle at the hip joint.
MOVEMENT SEQUENCE
Exhale
– Press the footbar away keeping the leg parallel to
the floor.
Inhale
– Bend the knee and return to the starting position.
VARIATIONS
Medial foot
Place the medial side of the foot on the bar and press back
to engage the medial side of the leg.
Lateral foot
Place the lateral side of the foot on the bar and press back
to engage the lateral side of the leg.
Hip extension
Place the foot farther back on the footbar to focus on hip
extension and to increase the work on the quadriceps. The
heel will be elevated in this position.
External hip rotation
Place the heel on the footbar with the leg in external
rotation. Keep the hip, knee and ankle aligned as you press
the carriage back.
2. Straighten the leg and press the carriage back
1. Side Lying Legs Turned Out - Starting Position
2. Straighten the leg and press the carriage back
CUEING AND IMAGERY
ƫ
Keep the hip, knee, ankle and foot in good alignment.
•
Draw a line from the inside of the ASIS through the
center of the patella and the middle of the ankle.
ƫ
Keep the top leg parallel to the carriage when working
with a parallel leg.
•
Imagine the leg is supported by a table as you bend
and straighten the knee.
•
Keep the knee cap pointing straight ahead.
ƫ
Keep the foot in a neutral position to the ankle in all the
exercises.
•
Be careful of rolling in toward the arch or out to the side
of the ankle.
•
Imagine you are wearing a basketball shoe and don’t
roll the ankle in either direction.
ƫ
Maintain good alignment through the torso.
•
Keep the head, torso and hips on one line. It is very easy
to round the back.
•
Look straight ahead.
PURPOSE
ƫ
Strengthen the hips and legs particularly the quadriceps,
hamstrings, abductors and adductors of the hip.
ƫ
Strengthen the ankles
ƫ
Teach standing alignment
PRECAUTIONS
For knee, hip and ankle injuries and after knee or hip
surgery:
Decrease knee and hip flexion by limiting carriage
return with footbar adjustments or stopper blocks. Avoid if
symptoms increase.
For sensitive feet:
Pad the footbar or work with shoes on.
For low back, hip and sacroiliac joint injuries:
Keep the
back straight and in good alignment throughout the
exercise
For neck and shoulder injuries:
Support the head as
needed.
1. Side Lying Legs Hip Extension - Starting Position
2. Straighten the leg and press the carriage back
1. Side Lying Legs Parallel - Starting Position
© 2008 Balanced Body Education LLC. All rights reserved.
May not be reproduced in whole or in part.
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