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

Exercise Breakdown

25 exercises in Workout 4

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

Opening up the chest, opening up the core, opening up the shoulders.

shoulderschestarms
low
1:06
Warm-up: Chest Openers

Envision like a blueberry or a marble or a cherry in between those shoulder blades. You're trying to squeeze it.

chestupper backshoulders
low
1:26
Warm-up: Cross-Body Arm Stretch

Keep the arm straight, and you can wiggle through the wrist.

shouldersarmswrists
low
1:56
Warm-up: Tricep Stretch

Push down on the elbow, open up the tricep and the armpit.

tricepsshoulders
low
2:26
Warm-up: Standing Hip Circles

Maintain balance for two.

hipscore
low
3:21
Warm-up: Pilates Second Position Twist

Push the knees apart as the hips sink.

hipsspineinner thighs
low
4:21
Warm-up: Hip Hinge to Forward Fold

Squeeze your glutes and hamstrings to lift your flat back all the way up.

hamstringsgluteslower back
low
5:11
Walkout to Lizard Lunge Twist

Balance on the tiptoes, raise your heels, hold it here.

full bodyhipsspinecore
medium
Strength7 exercises
11m 54s
7:40
Uneven Squats on Block

Right foot comes up on the block, hands come into heart center.

quadsgluteshamstrings
medium
8:41
Squat with Heel Lifts and Pulses

Exhale to raise your left heel, inhale to drop your left heel.

quadscalvesglutes
high
13:01
Lunge with Knee Taps

Getting that left knee to touch the mat each time.

quadsglutescalves
high
20:51
Plank Toe Taps and Knee Taps

Shoulders stay stacked.

coreshouldersquads
high
22:11
Kneeling Bicep Curls and Serve the Tray

Keeping that tray parallel with the floor the whole time.

bicepsshouldersquadsglutes
medium
24:11
Arm Circles and Tricep Extensions

Keep your back as flat as possible.

shoulderstricepsupper back
medium
32:31
Reverse Tabletop with Block

Your neck can be relaxed. You don't have to engage your neck.

tricepsglutesshoulderscore
high
Balance1 exercise
1m 39s
9:41
Single Leg Balance: Knee Pulls and Kicks

Extend the knee, four kicks. Maintain balance.

quadscorehip flexors
medium
Cool-down1 exercise
1m 25s
45:21
Cool-down: Reclined Stretches

Keep your shoulders planted to the best of your ability.

hamstringshipsspinefull body
low
pilates8 exercises
18m 34s
11:21
Arabesque Leg Lifts

If you fall, come right back to it.

gluteshamstringscore
medium
19:10
Elevated Plank to Downward Dog

Shoulders over the wrists, hip, shoulder, ankle alignment.

coreshouldershamstringsarms
medium
26:41
Side-Lying Leg Series

Keep your toe pointed and knee straight.

outer thighsglutescorehips
high
35:50
C-Curve Core Work

Round into C curve, hold your C curve.

coreshouldersarms
medium
38:21
Teaser with Block Balance

Lower the blocks down on your shins to apply pressure to your legs.

corehip flexors
high
39:21
Dead Bug Variation with Block

Try to get your head, neck, and shoulders up off of the mat.

corehip flexors
medium
40:51
Uneven Glute Bridge Series

Peel, scoop, and lift the hips all the way up.

gluteshamstringslower back
high
44:11
Leg Lowers and Hollow Body Hold

Get those blocks underneath the hips... give you a little bit of elevation.

corehip flexors
high

Muscles Targeted

Primary

coreshouldersglutes

Secondary

hamstringsquadships

Equipment & Modifications

Equipment Needed

  • block
  • mat

Don't Have Equipment?

You can substitute with:

thick bookfirm pillowrolled towelthick towelcarpet

Available Modifications

  • Can do this without the blocks at all
  • Use rounded side of block for more instability

Coaching Highlights from Jessica Casalegno

Envision like a blueberry or a marble or a cherry in between those shoulder blades. You're trying to squeeze it.

Form

Your neck can be relaxed. You don't have to engage your neck.

Safety

Hips get lower, hips get lower, even lower.

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 painpostureshoulder painstress

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Workouts & Topics

About the Trainer

Jessica Casalegno

Pilates Trainer

From: Full Body Pilates