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Full Body Pilates — Workout 10

This 45-minute beginner workout focuses on pilates core strength. Led by Jessica Casalegno, it targets core, shoulders, hips with evidence-based exercises designed for women of all fitness levels.

Exercise Breakdown

24 exercises in Workout 10

Warm-up8 exercises
6m 53s
0:30
Warm-up: Arm Swings

Opening up the chest.

shoulderschest
low
0:56
Warm-up: Chest Openers

Squeezing the shoulder blades together.

chestupper backshoulders
low
1:11
Warm-up: Cross-Body Arm Stretch

Keep the arm straight, wiggle through the wrist.

shouldersarmswrists
low
1:41
Warm-up: Tricep Stretch

Push down on the elbow, open up the tricep.

tricepsarmsshoulders
low
2:11
Warm-up: Standing Hip Circles

Focus your gaze to maintain your balance.

hipship flexorscore
low
3:06
Warm-up: Second Position Spine Twist

Twist the spine, look over your shoulder.

hipsspineinner thighsshoulders
low
4:01
Warm-up: Hamstring Stretch to Deep Squat

Extend the knees, open up hamstrings.

hamstringshipsglutes
low
4:41
Warm-up: Plank to World's Greatest Stretch

Rise all the way up, lift your heels, long body stretch.

full bodyhipship flexorscoreshoulders
medium
Strength1 exercise
1m 29s
22:41
Modified Stability Push-ups

Left hand is on the ball... it will continue to challenge your stability.

tricepschestshoulderscore
high
Cool-down1 exercise
1m 18s
41:21
Cool-down: Reclined Stretches

Hug your knee to your chest. Wiggle through the ankle.

full bodyhipsspinehamstringsankles
low
pilates14 exercises
25m 7s
7:31
Stability Squats with Pilates Ball

Roll the ball forward and backward, left knee stays bent.

quadsglutesanklescore
medium
11:01
Standing Knee Pulls

Exhale, pull the knee towards your chest.

corehip flexorsbalance
medium
14:10
Pilates First Position Plie Squats

Imagine you had a wall back behind you, preventing your hips from sticking out.

inner thighsquadsglutescalves
medium
16:01
Hug a Tree with Clam

Imagine you were hugging a tree or a very wide person.

inner thighschestshouldersarms
medium
17:25
Chair Squat with Inner Thigh Squeeze

Ball comes in between your inner thighs.

inner thighsglutesquadscore
medium
19:20
Down Dog Knee Taps

Inhale, tap knees or ball down to the mat. Exhale, lift.

coreshouldersarmsquads
high
21:21
Ball Knee Tucks

Get that ball to balance underneath the shins.

coreshouldersarms
high
25:00
Donkey Kicks with Ball

Keep the ball engaged in the knee.

gluteshamstrings
medium
26:41
Hydrant Kicks with Ball

Get the knee in alignment with the hip or higher.

outer thighsgluteships
medium
30:50
Kneeling Side Lean and Twist

Inhale to lean, extend, pull it in, lift, twist.

coreobliquesspineshoulders
medium
35:00
Side-Lying Inner Thigh Lifts

Make sure you're not slouching into the shoulder.

inner thighscoreobliques
medium
36:21
Mermaid with Ball Pass

Exhale, mermaid. Lift legs up, roll, lift feet.

coreobliqueship flexors
high
38:01
C-Curve Backbend and Crunch

Snap your core up just to that C curve to maintain tension.

corespine
medium
40:01
Pelvic Stability Toe Taps

The ball underneath the tailbone will continue to challenge your core.

corehip flexorspelvic floor
medium

Muscles Targeted

Primary

coreshoulderships

Secondary

glutesarmship flexors

Equipment & Modifications

Equipment Needed

  • mat
  • stability_ball

Don't Have Equipment?

You can substitute with:

thick towelcarpetpillowrolled blanket

Available Modifications

  • Remove the ball if the wrist instability is too much
  • Keep ball in hand the entire time
  • Pass the ball between hands and feet

Coaching Highlights from Jessica Casalegno

Imagine you had a wall back behind you, preventing your hips from sticking out.

Form

Do not push the tiptoe to the mat. Keep your foot fully supported by the ball.

Safety

If you lose your balance, just come right back into it.

Motivation

I come from classical Pilates training, and I'll be honest — I think most online Pilates classes skip the fundamentals that actually matter. Core activation isn't about crunching harder. It's about finding your deep stabilizers and letting them do the work they were designed for.

Form

Health Benefits

Women navigating Pelvic Floor, low libido will find this session particularly relevant. The focus on core and shoulders addresses the specific tension patterns and movement deficits that often accompany these conditions. No prior experience needed — every movement has a modification.

pelvic floor weakness

90% relevant

pelvic floor strengthening; core stability; breathwork

low libido

90% relevant

pelvic floor strengthening; blood flow to pelvis; body reconnection; parasympathetic activation

doctor dismissal

90% relevant

Parasympathetic nervous system activation to reduce stress and anxiety often associated with medical gaslighting.; Improved body awareness and interoception to help women better articulate symptoms and advocate for themselves.; Enhanced core strength and stability to build physical resilience and a sense of groundedness.; Increased self-efficacy and confidence through mastery of movement, empowering women to trust their own bodies.; Gentle strength building to support overall health and combat the physical toll of chronic stress.

motherhood burnout

90% relevant

Parasympathetic nervous system activation to reduce stress and anxiety; Improved body awareness and interoception to reconnect with self; Gentle strength building to combat physical fatigue and improve posture; Cortisol regulation through morning movement and mindful practices; Pelvic floor and core stability to address common postpartum physical stressors

dating after 40

90% relevant

Stress reduction and emotional regulation through parasympathetic activation; Improved body awareness, confidence, and self-perception; Enhanced posture and physical presence for increased self-assurance; Increased energy and vitality for social engagement; Development of lean muscle mass for metabolic health and body composition

Relevant For

back painbalancecore strengthflexibilityhip painknee painpelvic floorpostureshoulder painstress

Frequently Asked Questions

What muscles does this pilates workout target?

The primary focus here is core, shoulders, hips. You will also feel work in your glutes, arms — I designed these 24 movements across 45 minutes so each body area gets attention without rushing through transitions. The pilates approach means controlled, deliberate loading — not speed. Many women use this as part of their core strengthening exercises routine. Many women use this as part of their pilates exercises at home routine.

What equipment do I need for this workout?

You'll want mat, stability_ball. Don't have them? A thick towel, carpet, pillow works fine — I've taught this sequence with improvised props more times than I can count. The movement matters more than the equipment. Perfect for pilates for beginners.

Is this workout suitable for beginners?

Yes — I built this for women who are either starting fresh or coming back after a break. Every exercise includes form cues, and there are modifications throughout. Here is what I tell new students: if something feels wrong — sharp pain, dizziness, strain in your neck — back off. Pilates should challenge you, not punish you.

How long is this workout?

About 45 minutes, start to finish. That includes warm-up and cool-down — I never skip those, and neither should you. The main work covers 24 movements. Some days that flies by. Some days minute 20 feels like an hour. Both are normal.

Are there modifications available for this workout?

Yes. Modifications are cued throughout. Examples: Remove the ball if the wrist instability is too much; Keep ball in hand the entire time; Pass the ball between hands and feet — I've been teaching long enough to know that the 'full expression' of a pose isn't the goal. The goal is finding the version that challenges YOUR body without breaking it. Use every modification offered. That's not weakness — that's intelligence.

What is the difference between Pilates and yoga?

The short answer: yoga emphasizes flexibility, breath, and mindfulness. Pilates emphasizes core control, precision, and muscular endurance. The real answer is messier. Modern yoga classes often include strength work. Good Pilates always includes flexibility. What matters is that THIS session targets the specific muscle groups and movement patterns that benefit women in their 30s and 40s. The label is less important than the outcome. This session is particularly effective as a pilates abs workout option.

How many times per week should I do Pilates?

Joseph Pilates himself said three times per week — I agree with him on that. Your muscles need recovery time — especially your deep core stabilizers. Two to three sessions per week, with rest days or different movement types between. If you are new, even twice a week will produce noticeable changes in posture and core awareness within three to four weeks.

Can pilates help with Pelvic Floor?

There is clinical evidence supporting pilates for Pelvic Floor. The mechanism: pelvic floor strengthening — I want to be honest though — movement is one piece. It's powerful, but it works best alongside sleep, nutrition, and stress management. If Pelvic Floor is significantly impacting your quality of life, talk to a specialist. This workout can be part of your plan, not your entire plan.

Related Workouts & Topics

About the Trainer

Jessica Casalegno

Pilates Trainer

From: Full Body Pilates