When thinking about progressions and regressions, you have to know the clients individual goals and needs whether is be vaguely (during a class) or very specifically (during a private) and know how to meet a clients expectations.
How to progress an exercise:
Increase the amount of load (weight)
Decrease the base of support on the floor
Increase the lever length
Increase/decrease the speed (depending on what you’re doing)
Increase the amount of reps
Take away any supportive props
How to regress an exercise:
Decrease the amount of load (weight)
increase the base of support on the floor
Decrease the lever length
Increase/decrease the speed (depending on what you’re doing)
Decrease the amount of reps
Add any supportive props
How to manage during a class
Cheat Sheet
Are clients constantly moving?
Always cue the global movement first. Then give smaller depth cues.
Start with the simplest movement, have people continue that movement while you use the next variations.
Remind clients, they can always go back to the more supportive/simpler movement if they need.
If someone needs a different modification, make sure everyone else is moving, then go over and give another.
If someone isn’t getting it, try different cues. eg.
Try a more specific cue
Demonstrate exercise
Use a visual cue (eg. Ringing out a wet towel, DNA strand spiral, bowl of water on pelvis)
Props
Use of props can be helpful for increased difficulty but also for support, modification and feedback.
Props include:
Stability ball
Theraband (looped or un-looped)
Pilates ring
Block
Hand weights
Ankle weights
Larger weights/kettlebells
Wedge
Stability disc
Give examples of exercises where props can make something more supportive?
Give examples of exercises where props can make something more challenging?
Name all progressions and regressions for these 3 exercises (with or without props)
Roll backs
Squats
Plank
