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30-Day Pilates Body Challenge: Day #9 (upper body)
Welcome back to the 30-Day Pilate Body Challenge!
If you’re just joining us, you can officially sign up for the challenge by clicking here. You can find all of the past workouts here on the blog. 🙂
Today’s workout is designed strengthen and tone the muscles of your upper body.
These exercises are challenging so as always, I encourage you to modify to suit your needs. It seems that many people think of modify as a bad thing…or something that makes an exercise less effective.
But the opposite is true!
Modifying ensures that you are using the proper muscles and maintaining the proper alignment so that you can get the MOST out of the exercise. If you try to do exercises the “hard” way before you have the strength, you will likely call upon other muscle groups to get the job done which in turn, makes the exercise less effective.
So be proud of your modifications and trust that you will continue to get stronger and stronger when you do the work and listen to your body.
One more quick note before I let you go: I want you to think about keeping your shoulder blades set firmly on your back in every exercise today. Especially during the side-lying tricep push up. It will help!
Enjoy today’s workout!
Optional equipment: 1-3 lb. hand weights.
Daily Check-In: Stress is something we all deal with, but too much of it can have a negative impact on our health. Today I want you to create a worry box. Designate a specific container as your worry box and whenever you start stressing or worrying over an issue write it down and place it in the box. This is a physical way to reduce stress and clear your mind. Snap a photo and show me that you’re giving it a try! Use the hashtag #30daypilatesbody so I can see your posts. 🙂
xo,
PS – You may also enjoy Q & A Wednesday: why do my hip flexors hurt when I do Pilates? and What Might We Gain If We Gave Up The Desire To Do It All?
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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38 thoughts on “30-Day Pilates Body Challenge: Day #9 (upper body)”
Wow! Killer arm workout Robin! In a good way 🙂
Made harder as I had just completed a Yoga workout with lots of Chatarunga push ups beforehand!
Loving the 30 day challenge
Thank you xoxo
Done feeling good
Whew!!! Arms are feeling it. Great workout Robin!!! Day 9 completed…yay 🙂
I’m done, WOW. Hard work for someone with no upper body strength, but I worked through it. Thank You.
Thanks for the challenge! Done.
Done!
Arms feel stronger! That was a favorite that I will be going back to! Introduced some new movements like the Bob Push Up! Good one Robin!!!
Done:)
Done — good lord that was hard. News to me, apparently I have very little upper body strength!
Done. Thank you!
Done
Done, thank you
Done thank you.
Oh my goodness! Done. Hopefully I’ll be able to keep up with you as time goes on. Thank you Robin.
Hi, Robin.
This upper body workout was a blast. I loved the push-up variations. You’re right…harder than they look. 🙂
Thank you.
Lisa
Done.
I tried which is good. I found that I have very little strength in my arms for those side push ups. I broke my little toe, I think, this past Monday so I am having to modify many of the exercises Instead of downward dog push ups I just did knee ones and side knee planks…I am sticking with it and will repeat some challenges that won’t hurt my toe.
Done days 8&9
The arms – a challenge it was!!
thanks! hard but good
I can’t believe how much I’m loving this 30 day challenge. I have never stuck to a workout program before like this. I know it’s because they are only 10 minutes long. They make me feel good and Robin is such a joy to watch. I want to join the Sisterhood program but I’m afraid I won’t stick to the full length workouts. Would love to hear feedback on how others are doing with the full length workouts.
Hi Mara! Great job! We aim for 2 30-40 minute workouts per week in The Sisterhood. The other 3 days are 10 minute workouts like this challenge. (5 workouts per week) That being said, a lot of people modify the schedule to suit their needs. If you’re afraid you won’t be able to do the workout plan “perfectly” I’d just ask what the alternative is? Something is always better than nothing. But I’ll let other Sisterhood members chime in here too because it’s always helpful to hear what others do. 🙂 Proud of you for sticking with the challenge this long!
Two years later and I’m still using your videos! Except I’m no longer struggling to do one video but doubling and tripling up! If anyone needed a sign to use Robin’s videos and subscribe to her lifestyle, consider this it!!
Done#9!
My computer updated to Windows10 and the video skipped? Used my phone instead. Still trying to load on second try. Anyone else having difficulty?
Wow – way too hard for me! But hopefully I’ll be able to do it all by the end. Loving this challenge.
Wow, that side push up was very hard for me….never a dull moment! Thanks for a hard…feel good workout!!
Modify, Modify, and I got the job done!!! Getting stronger everyday!
Awesome workout, Robin! I remember some of these exercises from your summer pilates series for Athleta a few years ago..was a fortunate intro to your teaching and website.
I just wanted to tell you how much I’m enjoying this 30 day challenge Robin. These workouts are great. In just 10 minutes you can really get those muscles working! Love it!
Done. Thank you!
Done!
I love the variety of moves that you are using for this challenge! Thanks!!
Done, thanks!
Side push ups!!! A few weeks ago I could not even get my arm to move, let alone lift my torso up!! Today I managed three in a row on each side – winning!!!! 🙂
whew, those made me dizzy!
Did this one today along with the booty. Had no idea how weak my arms are, especially my right!
Done..a day behind but I’ll catch up:) Your sweet nature is very appreciated by me! I like that much better than someone being tough and harsh 🙂 thank you!
Done!! Getting stronger!!
Great workout! Felt good and showed me areas where I really need more strength and stability. Inspirational!