As has been mentioned in many Pilates exercise manuals or guides, the side kick exercises are the best when it comes to hips, thighs and abs toning and strengthening.
The side kick has its focus on the core muscles as well as the length for more stability. Here are three of the best side kick exercises.
1. The Pilates Side Kick Front – To perform the exercise, you need to observe the proper Pilates Side Kick Series Set Up. Then when you gain the desired alignment and balance, lift your top leg a few inches from the mat and then flex the foot to send the energy out through the heel. Then with your foot flexed, swing your top leg to the front and at its full length, do a small pulse kick. From that, try to keep that length and then point your toe and then sweep your top leg to the back. Then from that, pause and do not make another kick. Then flex the foot and then kick to the front. Make at least five to ten repetitions of the routine.
2. The Pilates Side Kick Up/Down – To start the exercise, make sure again that you are in the Pilates Side Kick Set up and that you are in great alignment. Make sure that your shoulders, your hips, your knees and ankles are stacked one on top of the other. Also keep your abdominal muscles pulled in and up. Then lengthen more through your top leg, using your abs, kick up toward the ceiling but in the course of the kick, make sure that your hips bones are still stacked and your pelvis do not tilt. Then pull your abdominal muscles up in the same lengthening position as the leg as you control the descent of your leg.
3. The Pilates Side Leg Lifts – The side leg lift is more of a variation of the kick but not really a side kick. It is though incorporated in the side kick series to incorporate the proper breathing. Here, as you inhale, bring your breath down up to your spine’s length in ord
These three routines should be performed at a controlled manner and making sure that you are in the right set up before you do the sidekick routines.
