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Glute & Posterior Chain Focus

Intermediate Posterior Chain ⏱️ 45 mins 📋 10 Exercises

Plan Overview

A 45-minute intermediate session firing the glutes, hamstrings, and posterior chain through bridges, strap presses, and standing lunges. Ends with a deep hamstring release in Elephant.

Sequence Flow

1
Footwork: Parallel V-Plie
Reps: 10 reps Tempo: 2:2 smooth
Transition: Press through heels, squeeze glutes on the return
Reformer ⚙️ Springs: 2-3 Red Springs Footbar: High Gear: Normal Headrest: Up
⚠️ Caution: Osteoporosis / Osteopenia (Avoid loaded spinal flexion. Substitute with neutral spine variations.)
Focus Cue:

"Keep your knees tracking directly over the center of your toes."

2
Footwork: Single Leg
Reps: 8 each side Tempo: 2:2 smooth
Transition: Single leg on footbar, glutes engaged
Reformer ⚙️ Springs: 1 Red or 1 Blue Spring Footbar: Medium Gear: Normal Headrest: Up
Focus Cue:

"Track the working heel and toe over the second toe the whole way out and back."

3
The Hundred
Reps: 100 pumps Tempo: Rhythmic breath
Transition: Feet flat on footbar, knees bent, core anchored
Reformer ⚙️ Springs: 1-2 Blue or Yellow Springs Footbar: High Gear: Normal Headrest: Up
⚠️ Caution: Osteoporosis / Osteopenia (Avoid loaded spinal flexion. Substitute with neutral spine variations.)
Focus Cue:

"Inhale 2, 3, 4, 5, Exhale 2, 3, 4, 5. Pump from the back of the arms."

4
Pelvic Curl
Reps: 8 reps Tempo: 3:1 articulate
Transition: Squeeze glutes at the top of the bridge
Reformer ⚙️ Springs: 2 Red or 2 Red + 1 Blue Springs Footbar: Medium Gear: Normal Headrest: Up
Focus Cue:

"Peel spine off mat one bone at a time like a string of pearls."

5
Single Leg Bridge
Reps: 8 each side Tempo: 3:1 squeeze and lower
Transition: Extend one leg, hips stay square
Reformer ⚙️ Springs: 1 Red or 1 Blue Spring Footbar: Low Gear: Normal Headrest: Down
Focus Cue:

"Roll the spine up one vertebra at a time and roll down the same way."

6
Feet in Straps: Leg Press
Reps: 8 reps Tempo: 3:1 press
Transition: Lower footbar, attach long straps to feet
Reformer ⚙️ Springs: 1 Red or 1 Blue Spring Footbar: Medium Gear: Normal Headrest: Medium
Focus Cue:

"Anchor the sacrum and keep the lower ribs soft as the legs extend."

7
Side Kicks: Front & Back
Reps: 8 each side Tempo: 2:2 kick and sweep
Transition: Side-lying, leg sweeps front and back
Reformer ⚙️ Springs: 1 Blue Spring Footbar: Medium Gear: Normal Headrest: Medium
Focus Cue:

"Exhale to kick the leg forward, inhale as it sweeps back."

8
Standing Lunge
Reps: 6 each side Tempo: 3:1 controlled
Transition: Stand facing away from footbar, back foot on carriage
Reformer ⚙️ Springs: 1 Red or 1 Blue Spring Footbar: Low Gear: Normal Headrest: Medium
⚠️ Caution: Knee Issues (Deep lunges load the front knee. Shorten the stride, keep the knee tracking over the second toe, and limit depth; stop if pain occurs.)
Focus Cue:

"Stack the front knee over the ankle and keep it tracking over the second toe."

9
Rocking
Reps: 4-6 reps Tempo: Controlled
Transition: Mount the long box prone and reach back for the ankles — Rocking.
Reformer ⚙️ Springs: 1 Blue or 1 Red Spring Footbar: High Gear: Normal Headrest: Down
⚠️ Caution: Acute Lumbar Disc Herniation (Avoid end-range extension and rocking; keep the lift small and controlled.)
Focus Cue:

"Rock only as far as you can hold the position — no momentum."

10
Elephant
Reps: 8 reps Tempo: 3:1 controlled
Transition: Heels down on shoulder rests, hamstring release
Reformer ⚙️ Springs: 1-2 Red Springs Footbar: Down Gear: Normal Headrest: Down
⚠️ Caution: Osteoporosis / Osteopenia (Avoid loaded spinal flexion. Substitute with flat back hinge.)
Focus Cue:

"Imagine drawing your navel up and under your ribs as the carriage moves."