Membership Category: | Pilates Lesson Planner |
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Sub Category: | Foam Roller |
Types: | Balance, Strengthen, Seated & Floor, Supine |
Anatomy: | Arms & Shoulders, Biceps & Triceps, Core, Lower Back, Middle Back, Neck |
Chakras: | Base, Sacral Centre |
Therapy: | Poor Posture |
Drishti: | Up |
Dosha: | Pitta, Kapha |
Lie on your back with arms at your sides and knees bent, feet on the roller's apex. Lift your torso towards your knees while raising your arms parallel to the floor. Pulse your arms 100 times.
Strengthens abs, back and hips.
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The Hundreds I Foam Roller is a fantastic exercise for strengthening your core and improving overall stability. To accommodate various fitness levels, here are 30 modifications divided into Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced categories.
Beginner Modification 1: Hands on Roller
Keep your hands resting on the foam roller for added stability while performing the exercise, helping to maintain balance.
Beginner Modification 2: Feet on the Floor
Instead of placing your feet on the roller, keep them grounded on the floor to reduce intensity and focus on your core engagement.
Beginner Modification 3: Bend Knees
Bend your knees and keep your feet flat on the mat while performing the exercise for easier balance.
Beginner Modification 4: Shorten the Range of Motion
Limit how high you lift your torso to decrease strain on your back and maintain focus on core engagement.
Beginner Modification 5: Pause Between Pulses
Pause for a moment between pulses to ensure proper form and muscle engagement, allowing for better control.
Beginner Modification 6: Focus on Breathing
Inhale deeply as you lift and exhale as you lower your torso, enhancing core engagement through breath control.
Beginner Modification 7: Slow the Movement
Perform the exercise at a slower pace to improve control and effectiveness without increasing complexity.
Beginner Modification 8: Support from a Wall
Perform the exercise against a wall for additional support, allowing you to concentrate on your core engagement.
Beginner Modification 9: Use a Smaller Roller
If available, use a smaller foam roller to make balancing easier while you become familiar with the movement.
Beginner Modification 10: Engage Core Before Movement
Focus on engaging your core before initiating the lift to reinforce proper form and muscle activation.
Intermediate Modification 1: Straighten One Leg
Extend one leg while keeping the other bent, alternating legs with each repetition to increase balance and core challenge.
Intermediate Modification 2: Arms Extended Overhead
Extend your arms overhead instead of keeping them at your sides to create a greater challenge for your core stability.
Intermediate Modification 3: Add a Hold
Hold the lifted position for a few seconds before pulsing to increase tension in your core muscles and enhance engagement.
Intermediate Modification 4: Feet Together
Bring your feet and thighs together while performing the exercise for a narrower base of support, making it more challenging.
Intermediate Modification 5: Incorporate Small Pulses
Add small, controlled pulses at the top of the lift to increase the intensity of your abdominal muscle engagement.
Intermediate Modification 6: Hold a Weighted Object
Hold a light weight or medicine ball at your chest while performing the exercise to add extra resistance and intensity.
Intermediate Modification 7: Perform with Straight Legs
Extend both legs straight while performing the exercise to increase the challenge and require more core engagement.
Intermediate Modification 8: Add Leg Circles
Incorporate small leg circles while pulsing your arms to engage your lower abs and hip flexors effectively.
Intermediate Modification 9: Use a Stability Ball
Replace the foam roller with a stability ball for an increased challenge, requiring more control and engagement from your core.
Intermediate Modification 10: Incorporate a Twist
Add a gentle twist of the torso as you pulse, enhancing the engagement of your obliques and making the exercise more dynamic.
Advanced Modification 1: Perform on an Incline
Prop the foam roller on a slight incline to increase the difficulty and intensity of the exercise.
Advanced Modification 2: Increase the Speed
Perform the pulses at a quicker pace while maintaining control to challenge your endurance and core stability.
Advanced Modification 3: Lift Both Legs Off the Roller
Lift both legs off the roller while performing the exercise for a more advanced challenge that fully engages your core.
Advanced Modification 4: Combine with Leg Raises
Combine the hundreds with leg raises, alternating between pulsing and lifting your legs to create a comprehensive core workout.
Advanced Modification 5: Add Side Bends
Incorporate side bends at the top of the lift to further engage your obliques and enhance the challenge of the movement.
Advanced Modification 6: Use an Exercise Ball
Substitute the foam roller with an exercise ball for added instability, requiring more engagement from your core muscles.
Advanced Modification 7: Incorporate Dynamic Leg Movements
Perform dynamic leg movements, such as leg lifts or scissor kicks, while pulsing to intensify the workout.
Advanced Modification 8: Add a Crunch and Hold
At the top of each lift, hold the position for a few seconds before pulsing to increase muscle endurance.
Advanced Modification 9: Try a Bicycle Crunch Variation
Perform a bicycle crunch while pulsing your arms, alternating between extending and bringing in your legs as you lift your torso.
Advanced Modification 10: Combine Movements
Combine the hundreds with other movements like oblique twists or leg lifts to create a comprehensive core workout.
The Hundreds I Foam Roller exercise offers a versatile range of modifications to suit all fitness levels. Whether you're a beginner seeking stability, an intermediate practitioner aiming to increase the challenge, or an advanced athlete wanting to push your limits, these 30 modifications will help enhance your core strength and stability.
Explore these variations to find the ones that best fit your practice!
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