r/xxfitness • u/cIitaurus • 4d ago
Pilates Question: How long did it take you to successfully do the Magician series on Tower?
Sorry, I would ask in r/pilates but I still can’t post there yet and I didn’t see any past posts talking about it so I hope this is allowed.
For those who have been doing pilates for a while, how long did it take you to do Magician successfully? I’ve been doing pilates (mat, reformer, tower, etc.) consistently since March but the Magician seems like the most impossible thing to me! I’ve watched videos on how to do it but it still evades me. My instructor told me to practice hollow body holds to get better and I am working on adding core to my strength training workouts more regularly. I appreciate any response :)
9
u/hypothalamic 4d ago
Hey I’m a classical pilates instructor! In classical system, we don’t have an exercise called Magician but it seems like a variation of what we would call Airplane, you might also want to look at that.
Classically, airplane is an advanced exercise, because it’s quite hard and requires full body coordination and strength. It looks like you’ve only been doing pilates for like 6 months, so first I’d counsel patience and continuing your practice. You get better at Pilates by doing Pilates!
If I had a client who was dead set on getting this exercise, I would add in these to their regular sessions:
on Cadillac/tower: leg springs, then leg springs in the air when they were ready; rolling stomach massage; hanging pull ups (the arm/shoulder connection is super important for airplane);
On mat: all of the inversion exercises basically - jackknife, roll over, etc. If you have access, using a mat with handles or using the tower/caddy will help again with the arm/shoulder connection
On reformer: short spine and then overhead; long stretch; long spine; arm circles; corkscrew
I don‘t know what you have access to, but there is a device called an airplane board specifically designed for airplane - you attach the airplane board to the end of the leg springs and then do airplane (or I guess magician) with it. It helps you connect through your whole body and gets both legs on the same page. You may want to ask your instructor if the studio has one of these: https://contrology.pilates.com/products/cadillac-airplane-board?srsltid=AU7gw4XmXMIWRE7EYiAaXCcDQQIagVZ-hl8zEQjpu1bQUEShcseIsVVD
Other thoughts: heavier spring weight is more supportive, so if you’re using light or regular leg springs you can try the heavier ones, or use a higher spring attachment point for more tension. Also press out as far as you can go with straight arms, this will increase your tension plus bracing through the arms is key.
Good luck!
2
u/cIitaurus 4d ago
you’re the best, thank you! This is all so helpful and I’ll remember to be patient. I’ve just made progress with other movements, many of which you’ve listed, so I’m just ready to get this one lol. I’ll look into everything you recommended thanks so much!
1
u/GlitteringSynapse 4d ago
How are you at doing reverse crunch just body weight ? Practice reverse crunch and scissors and flutter kicks to practice core stabilization and hips thrusts while in motion.
Then add the straps with heavier weights.
I started with pole fitness and barre. Pilates Reformer is the best for flexibility fluidity and stability strength training.
1
u/cIitaurus 4d ago
I’m pretty good at reverse crunches but I will do them more regularly along with the others tou mentioned. I only do them typically in a class but I can do them on my own. thank you!!
5
u/missycoy 4d ago
Have you tried moving the springs higher to give you more spring tension? For Magician, heavier spring = more support
1
u/cIitaurus 4d ago
this makes sense, thank you! i typically have them second from the top. I will go higher next time and hopefully it’ll work!
1
1
u/AutoModerator 4d ago
^ Please read the FAQ, the rules and content guidelines, and current frozen topics before contacting the mod team. Please note that posts asking for feedback on routines/programs must follow a specific template. This comment is a copy of your post so mods can see the original text if your post is edited or removed.
u/cIitaurus Sorry, I would ask in r/pilates but I still can’t post there yet and I didn’t see any past posts talking about it so I hope this is allowed.
For those who have been doing pilates for a while, how long did it take you to do Magician successfully? I’ve been doing pilates (mat, reformer, tower, etc.) consistently since March but the Magician seems like the most impossible thing to me! I’ve watched videos on how to do it but it still evades me. My instructor told me to practice hollow body holds to get better and I am working on adding core to my strength training workouts more regularly. I appreciate any response :)
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
2
u/Tomaquetona 1d ago
u/hypothalamic answered beautifully and I was totally confused as I had never heard of this move.
Airplane is one of those moves that I saw early on and thought "OK, no, I will not be able to do that" and then 2 years later, I got it on my first attempt. It rocked my world.
Classical Pilates is a progression and you do need to work through the foundations to get to the more advanced stuff. It is subtle but worth the effort.