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This 40-minute beginner workout focuses on pilates classes for beginners. Led by Jessica Casalegno, it targets shoulders, core, glutes with evidence-based exercises designed for women of all fitness levels.

Exercise Breakdown

25 exercises in Workout 2

Warm-up6 exercises
3m 25s
0:15
Warm-up: Arm Circles

Taking big, long inhales as you open up the chest.

shouldersarmschest
low
0:46
Warm-up: Chest Openers

Think about squeezing the scapulae together on each inhale.

chestupper back
low
1:06
Warm-up: Cross-Body Arm Stretch

Wiggle through the wrist, move through the fingertips.

shouldersarmswrists
low
1:36
Warm-up: Overhead Tricep Stretch

Push down on the elbow, opening up the tricep or pec muscles.

tricepsshoulderschest
low
2:06
Warm-up: Standing Hip Circles

Lift the opposing knee up to tabletop, balance.

hipship flexorsankles
low
3:51
Frog Squat to Hamstring Stretch

Extend the knees all the way up, opening up the hamstrings.

hamstringshipsglutes
medium
Cool-down2 exercises
6m 38s
33:21
Cool-down: Reclined Knee Hugs and Twists

Try to keep both shoulders nice and flat on the mat.

lower backhipsspine
low
36:41
Cool-down: Hamstring Stretch and Forward Fold

Try to pull the chest closer and closer down towards the knees.

hamstringslower backcalves
low
pilates17 exercises
29m 18s
3:01
Pilates Second Position Shoulder Twist

Pop one shoulder down, look up over the opposing shoulder.

hipsinner thighsspineshoulders
low
4:36
Plank to Lizard Lunge Twist

Push on the right knee, open up the hip, twisting into lizard lunge.

full bodycorehipship flexors
medium
7:01
Plie Squats (Pilates First Position)

Heels together and the toes apart... heels connected.

inner thighsglutesquads
medium
8:01
Plie Squat Pulses and Holds

Super small pulses right here, up an inch, down an inch.

quadsinner thighsglutes
high
8:41
Low Squat Toe Taps (Around the World)

Staying low on that left thigh as you tap the right toe around.

quadsglutesouter thighscore
high
10:01
Standing Leg Lifts and Pulses

Exhale, raise, inhale, tap.

glutesouter thighsquadscore
high
12:31
Plank to Downward Dog Flow

Inhale to roll the body forward to plank. Exhale, lift your hips all the way back.

full bodycoreshouldershamstrings
medium
14:11
Dolphin Push-ups (Forearm Taps)

Inhale, drop your forearms down to the mat... Exhale, lift.

shouldersarmscore
high
15:01
Three-Legged Dog Arabesque

Squeeze through the back of the glute, squeeze in the hamstring.

gluteshamstringsshoulderscore
medium
16:01
Knee-to-Chest Crunches (Plank Position)

Exhale to pull the right knee all the way in, squeeze the abs.

coreshouldersarms
high
17:31
Chaturanga Tricep Push-ups

Elbows are gonna skim the ribs.

tricepschestshoulderscore
high
20:01
Serve the Tray (Kneeling)

Elbows on either side of the ribs and the palms facing upward.

shouldersarmsbicepsglutes
medium
21:41
Shoulder T-Openers and Circles

Making circles through the shoulders, not the elbows, not the wrists.

shouldersarmsupper back
medium
24:11
Kneeling Side Oblique Lean

Inhale to lean to the left, and then exhale, squeeze the oblique, lift up.

corehip flexors
medium
26:21
Side-Lying Inner Thigh Lifts

Squeeze through the right inner thigh.

inner thighscore
medium
28:21
Pilates Mermaid (Side V-Ups)

Lower only one leg. Exhale, squeeze to lift it all the way back up.

corehip flexorsquads
high
30:51
Clamshells and Kick-outs

Heels to touch and the toes apart... feet look like the letter V.

glutesouter thighships
medium

Muscles Targeted

Primary

shoulderscoreglutes

Secondary

armshipsquads

Equipment & Modifications

Equipment Needed

  • mat

Don't Have Equipment?

You can substitute with:

thick towelcarpet

Available Modifications

  • Drop knees to the mat for support

Coaching Highlights from Jessica Casalegno

Inhale to roll the body forward to plank. Exhale, lift your hips all the way back.

Form

I don't wanna see anybody dropping the forearms down.

Safety

Come low and hold it nice and strong like a statue.

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 shoulders and core 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 floorposturesciaticashoulder painstress

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Workouts & Topics

About the Trainer

Jessica Casalegno

Pilates Trainer

From: Full Body Pilates