Leg Circles are a traditional Pilates mat exercise where you lie on your back and try to keep your hips still as one leg moves in a circular motion.
It’s a challenging exercise for sure, and it’s also one of Joseph Pilates’ original exercises from his book “Return to Life Through Contrology,” first published in 1945.
The majority of Pilates mat work requires lying down—whether on your back, side, or stomach—and there certainly are many benefits to exercising this way.
But if lying down is the only way you exercise, you’re missing out on vital benefits that, thanks to gravity, only happen when you’re standing up—benefits like improving your balance and building bone density.
In today’s video, I’m taking Leg Circles off the floor and standing them up so you get the bone-building, balance-enhancing benefits gravity provides.
You’ll still get the challenge of keeping your hips still while your leg is moving too!
I’d love to know how this exercise goes for you. Make sure and let me know in the comments below.
Happy leg circling!
Sydney
PS. The Pilates Tonic Online Membership is full of bone-building, balance-enhancing exercises. You can learn more and register over on the registration page.
8 Responses
Love this one Sydney – thanks so much. How often could you do this exercise in the day?
Hi Cilla! This is one you can practice a couple of times a day if you’d like to. So glad you enjoyed it and hope you’re doing well!
I do the hip rotation every day and love it. Now this leg rotation will be added to my daily workout. I have trouble with a rotating pelvis and this seems to help me a lot. Thanks, Sydney.
Oh wow, that’s great to hear, Carol! Thanks so much for letting me know!
What a fantastic strength, balance and movement dissociation exercise! I can’t wait to share it with my students too. Thank you, Sydney – I always going inspiration in your posts!
Hi Kirsty! I’m so glad you enjoyed this exercise. Thanks for letting me know and for sharing it with your students!
Great as always!!
Thank you!
Thanks, Kelly! So glad you enjoyed this one!