Pilates
Cadillac Standing Arms Facing Away
Cadillac Standing Arms Facing Away is a standing spring-resisted arm press that trains your shoulders, chest, and triceps while challenging you to keep your trunk steady.
- Intermediate
- Compound
- Moderate injury risk
- Rest 1 min
How to do it
- Stand facing away from the spring anchors in a short staggered stance.
- Hold one handle in each hand at chest level, with your elbows bent beside your ribs.
- Step forward until the springs have light tension.
- Press the handles forward to shoulder height until your arms are nearly straight.
- Return the handles to your chest with a slow, controlled elbow bend.
Form cues
- Keep your ribs stacked over your pelvis.
- Let your shoulder blades slide around your ribs.
- Keep your wrists in line with forearms.
- Exhale through the press.
Common mistakes
- Leaning forward to move the handlesReduce spring tension until you can press without shifting your trunk.
- Shrugging toward your earsUse a lower pressing path if your shoulders rise as you reach.
- Snapping the elbows straightSlow the final part of the press so you reach without forcefully locking your elbows.
Safety
Spring recoil can pull you backward or strain your shoulders if you lose control of the return. A loose clip or released handle can cause the attachment to recoil suddenly.
- Check that the arm springs and handles are securely clipped to suitable anchors around shoulder height.
- Start with light resistance and enough clear space for your full reach.
- End the set if you cannot maintain your footing or control the handles.
- Step back toward the anchors to remove tension before releasing the handles.
If pressing causes shoulder pain or you have difficulty balancing against the spring pull, use a supported version or seek advice from a physiotherapist first.
Muscles worked
Primary muscles
Secondary muscles
Equipment
- Pilates Cadillac
Sets and reps
- Sets
- 2–3
- Target
- 8–12 reps
- Rest
- 1 min
Use the same spring setting when comparing logged repetitions between sessions.