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30-Day Pilates Body Challenge: day #2
Hi Beauties!
Welcome to day #2 of the 30-Day Pilates Body Challenge!
Today’s workout is dedicated to building strength in the upper body while also relieving tight muscles.
Did you know that sitting at computers, texting, reading, holding babies, and driving all contribute to our chest muscles getting shorter and tighter? In turn, the muscles of our upper back get loose and weak. Not good.
Today’s routine will build strength, reduce tension and restore balance to your body.
Enjoy!
(see modification notes below)
30-Day Pilates Body Challenge: day #2
Modification notes:
For tender wrists: use a couch or chair for your tricep dips and push-ups. You can even do your push-ups leaning against a countertop or wall if that feels better.
Always go to your forearms instead of doing traditional straight-arm planks.
If any these exercises don’t feel good to you, skip them and do arm circles instead! Just keep moving. 🙂
For a tender lower back: place a folded towel between your pelvis and the mat when lying on your stomach.
(laying…lying…grammar police, did I say that right? 🙂
Daily Check-In: In addition to your workouts I want you to focus on staying hydrated this month! Snap a photo to show me the you’re staying hydrated and use the hashtag #30daypilatesbody. I’ll be checking in on you!
xo,
PS – If you’re just joining us, welcome! Click here to complete day #1. And you’re good to go!
Robin Long
Robin Long, founder and CEO of Lindywell, certified Pilates instructor, Nutrition Therapy Practitioner, and author of 'Well to the Core,' blends 15 years of expertise with a lifelong commitment to holistic health.
Learn more about Robin Long
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110 thoughts on “30-Day Pilates Body Challenge: day #2”
Done ?
Done not so strong in the arms but it will come!!thanks for my morning routine
Yikes that needs some work
Good morning..thank you for your time n motivation ?
Done… arms not nearly as strong as legs… tricep pushups have always been tough… have a wonderful day…
Day 2 – Done, harder than yesterday that’s because I have NO upper body strength…..
Day 2 completed. Heart rate up & arms feeling good.O:-)
Loving this kick start to get back into a routine! Sharing w my friends too is fun! Thank you.
Morning Robin,
Day 2 done! Tri-cept dips are hard, but they do the trick. Question-do you have your mat sitting on another type of mat or base? Or is your mat two colors (the black and teal)?
Happy Wednesday!
Hi Elena!
I do. That is because my black mat is my Pilates mat (has more padding since I’m on a hard floor) but when filming videos it’s hard for you to see my position when I wear dark pants on a black mat. So I have a thin teal yoga mat layered on top of my black Pilates mat. 🙂
Is any good thick mat ok? do you have a fav Robin?
http://thebalancedlifeonline.com/the-best-pilates-mats-where-to-buy-them/
Day 2, check 🙂
Great workout! Day 2 done x
Good work and hard! I have many issues with my neck and shoulders (I take therapeutic Pilates classes) so shoulder openers are great!
Thanks Robin!!
Day 2 done! Feel good
Day 2 done. Thank you !
Robin,
Reading your comment above about the two mats you have, I didn’t realize that there were different mats for pilates and yoga. The yoga mat I have is very thick because I have a problem doing exercises on my knees and the hard floor underneath. I usually layer up in yoga class and put a class mat underneath mine to get the right amount of cushioning. Is there one type of mat you’d recommend over the other based on this?
Also, regarding modifications: I had two surgeries last year to burn nerves in my neck and my lower back due to overactive nerves which caused very painful neuropathy that didn’t respond to meds. As a result, I’m left with a lot of weakness because I can’t feel certain exercises and I lack some balance in my legs if I’m doing things on that require standing on my left leg only (like tree pose), or things that involve both upper and lower parts on my left side. Any recommendations for modifications based on this? I know I have to build up the strength again and I’ve been trying but there’s a lot of brain retraining that goes along with it too and I’m just not there yet.
Thanks so much and I’m loving this challenge! I got more out of yesterday’s day 1 workout than I’ve gotten in two years worth of classes. YOU ROCK! (and you can use that as an endorsement!)
Be well,
Heather
Done
Done! Thank you!
Day 2 – Done
woo hoo 2 days done. I always find starting the hardest part.
Done…I think tricep dips ended up being just a lift & squeeze…but I will get better!! Love the challenge!
Day 2 done!! 🙂
You are awesome robin!! Thank you for all you do!! We are following you from this app called: my paleo pal, (MPP) too ?
Very cool! 🙂
Done….Day #2 Thanks!:)
Done!!!
Done day 2! Thank you Robin!
Day 2 – done! My legs are sore from yesterday! We’ll see how my arms are tomorrow. Thank you! 🙂
Day 2 … Done… I have No upper body strength, this was a hard 10 minutes for me.
Day 2 check. Thank you ?
Day 2 done!! thanks!!!
Day 2 done. I thought arms would be hard since i feel they are my weak spot but sadly I’m still a big sore in the legs from yesterday! 🙂 These are awesome!!
Do you have any suggestions for alternatives to triceps dips? No matter how I try to modify – floor, chair, counter – it causes discomfort in my shoulders, and not the good kind. I have really tight chest muscles (especially that bit right by the armpit), which I’m sure doesn’t help, but at the moment dips really aren’t great for me.
Hi Nicola, Do you have access to light hand weights?
If so, this is a good exercise to sub in: http://www.realsimple.com/health/fitness-exercise/workouts/best-triceps-exercises/overhead-extension
I do! Thank you 🙂
And another one bites the dust…. two down, roll on day 3. Thanks Robin. Jx
Having not done any exercise besides walking, this are very difficult for me. But I am hanging in there realizing how important it is to do my entire body…Thank you Robin.
Done! And yes, it’s “lying” as opposed to “laying” lol 🙂
Haha, thank you!! 🙂
Day 2 done!
Done. Oh dear, my upper body strength is non-existent! Perseverance will see returns though!!
Day 2 done. My upper body needs quite a bit of work, but I’ll get there!!
Did it ☺️
Done! 🙂
day 2 is completed, I thought I was in shape because I work out everyday for at least 30 minutes in not more. but these 2 days have hit me good, I am glad I accepted this challenge cant wait to see how I feel after doing my 30 and then this. not to bad for a 59 yrs. young dude
Day 2, done! ?
Day 2 completed! Thank you!
Both days done.Thks.I don’t know how to use hashtags, no tweets, no Instagram, but thks for all you do. Am rebuilding body after lots of hand/wrist surgeries.
Day 2 completed – LOVE these mini-workouts!
Done with day 1 & 2. Feeling good
Day 2 done. ?
Day two done! That was great!
Day 2 done- I’m all caught up now!
day 2 is done!
Day 2. dONE
I started my challenge today so I decided to do Day 1 and Day 2. It WORKED !! I feel fine and really glad I’m doing something more for my body. Years ago I did Pilates with a machine I owned when I had my house, I loved it then, strengthening my core !
Day 2 done!
I completed day 1 and day 2 just now. I hope to get stronger becuz my arms struggled on the triceps and push ups. I am excited to do this challenge. Something different every day is great!!!
Thank you!!
Thank you for doing these. I haven’t worked out in way too long, it’s pathetic and I can convince myself to do these because it’s just 10 minutes. I’m ashamed to say that the few seconds of plank had me shaking. I’m hopeful that at the end of the month that few seconds is too easy. I am grateful to you.
Don’t be ashamed! Just stick with it! You’ll be amazed by your plank at the end of the challenge. Let that be your motivator. 🙂
Day 2 done stomach flu and all!
Ups.! was very good,day 2 and counting.
Done! It was great!
doing it and LOVING IT!
Thanks, day 2 is done!
So super fun!
Day #2 Finished al,so got in a 1 mile swim, muscle mix class and 20 min of WERQ. Great Day Off!
Wonderful ! I can make time for these — hope to get stronger!
Thanks for day 2!!
Day 2 done.
Getting ready to start day 2! Ive had the flu so i feel like all my muscle is gone, but im still gona do it.
2nd day done. Thanks for the great challenge
Thanks for this- it was nice to do before a nice soaking tub!
Love this challenge! Thank you Robin for getting me off the couch 😉
Done!! I won’t lie, I couldn’t do the tabletop leg thingie, but it was a good workout. Can’t wait to build up my planks! This is terrific, thanks Robin!
Day 2 done! Thank you.
Thank you, Robin! I am really enjoying these workouts.
I have weak/tender wrists, and often struggle with any type of push-up action. Do you have a modification that works for the tricep push ups? Or anything in a push-up position, really … Thanks!
Hi Christy!
If it doesn’t work with your wrists I just recommend skipping them altogether. You can do arm circles or arm raises with hand weights in their place. 🙂
Day 2 done. Thank you!
Good Job Barbara!! I could not do the tabletop legie thing either but soon we will!! I am so happy that I did this because I have a major cold but refuse not to do my 10 minutes!!! Hopefully tomorrow I will feel better!! Goodnight!
Just completed Day 2! Feeling good. My legs are still sore from yesterday. Today’s workout wasn’t that bad. Looking forward to continuing the challenge.
Done 80)
Great to feel so open through the chest. Tricep dips rock. Loving this time for me, my Pilates, and having the accountability group.
Done! Sore from yesterday!
Thank you Robin! Harder than day 1, but done! 🙂
Done. I’ve been wanting to try getting back into a routine for a long time, so I need all the encouragement I can get stick with this.
I’m really loving the simplicity of this challenge. I think part of my not wanting to do really long workouts is because it takes so long to convince myself to do them. This is easy-peasy, letting me walk away to the next thing in my day without feeling exhausted, gross, or sore. Thank you Robin 🙂
Day 2 done, running behind a few days !
Just finished day 2 – running a bit behind too. My buddy and I are enjoying the workouts and are texting each to keep us motivated!! 🙂
Hello, I’ve been trying the tricep dips since day 2 and cannot get my form right. I have the starting position right, it’s just when I dip my butt hits the floor and I don’t have as much movement in my arms. Do you have a suggestion for this?
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Day 1 and 2 done!!! thanks for the vids. I’m really enjoying it!!
Day 2 comelette. Can’t believe how weak my body has become. At least I’m back on the right track doing some exercise thanks
Day 2 complete and my body is feeling it but in a good way! Looking forward to day 3.
Way to go Rita! 🙂
Hi Robin – would love your take on modifications for ab movements for women who experience diastasis recti. Thanks!
Hi Meredith! Here’s a link to my post that talks about DR and how to modify. 🙂 http://thebalancedlifeonline.com/pilates-diastasis-recti/
Hope it helps!
Day 2 done! I’m liking this 10 mins seams easy to fit in. Workout on the other hand not so easy, but I will get better.
Done day 2!!!
Thanks so much, I’m really enjoying and benefitting from these 10 min classes. Really appreciate the explanations and tips along the way. Cheers!
Done!!
I have done day 2 twice and have finished through day 5. I am 67 years old.
Day two…done! Realize how .glad I am that I am doing this. Realize how much I need it… Thank you
Keep up the great work! ??
Done Day 2.
Way to go, Lynda!