The Stomach Series: Spine Corrector Versus Mat

The Stomach Series is great for increasing abdominal strength, control, and endurance. You're likely familiar with the exercises in this series. We have:

1. Single Leg Stretch,
2. Double Leg Stretch,
3. Single Straight Leg Stretch,
4. Double Straight Leg Stretch, 
5. Criss Cross

As you were reading this list, did you automatically picture these exercises being done on the mat? Most of us do!

Related:
The Stomach Series - The Path To Awesome Abs

As much as I like doing these exercises on the mat, I prefer to do the Stomach Series on the Spine Corrector. One major reason is that the Spine Corrector helps keep tension out of the neck. A common complaint with beginners is feeling strain in the neck during exercises that require the chest to be lifted. Sitting in the Spine Corrector keeps the cervical spine upright, making it much easier on the neck. 

If you find that your neck is still straining, interlace your hands behind your head to support the weight of your head.

This is possible in all of the variations. This will take the effort away from the neck and will make your abdominals work even harder.

Sitting in the well and scooting the hips forward creates a position with hardly any flexion in the spine. That means that students with flexion contraindications, such as low bone density, still get to perform this series. 

The Spine Corrector takes a series that we know and love and helps more people do it correctly and without pain. 

In the Pilates Encyclopedia member library, we dive into every tiny detail of this series
to help you and your students squeeze every ounce of benefit from it.