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Pilates

Cadillac Tower

Cadillac Tower is a Pilates exercise that combines a spring-resisted leg press with a controlled roll onto your shoulders. It trains abdominal control and coordinated movement of your spine and hips.

Higher injury risk. Read the safety notes before adding weight.

  • Advanced
  • Compound
  • Higher injury risk
  • Rest 45 sec
Video by Felvon Indonesia on YouTube

How to do it

  1. Lie on your back beneath the secured push-through bar with your knees bent and the balls of your feet hip-width apart on it.
  2. Grip the uprights above your shoulders.
  3. Straighten your knees to press the bar upward.
  4. Roll your pelvis and spine off the mat into a shoulder-supported position.
  5. Bend your knees while keeping your hips elevated.
  6. Straighten your knees against the bar.
  7. Lower your spine to the mat one section at a time.
  8. Bend your knees to return the bar to its starting position.

Form cues

  • Keep your ribs from flaring.
  • Keep both sides of your pelvis level.
  • Breathe continuously through the movement.

Common mistakes

  • Hips sinking during the knee bendUse a smaller knee bend that lets you maintain the height of your pelvis.
  • Dropping the trunk as one blockSlow the descent so your upper back reaches the mat before your lower back and pelvis.
  • Letting the spring drive the movementUse a steady pace in both directions rather than allowing the bar to pull you through the repetition.

Safety

A bottom-sprung push-through bar can recoil toward your head or torso if foot contact or control is lost. Rolling too high can shift pressure onto your neck, especially as you fatigue.

  • Have a qualified Pilates professional set the bottom spring, attach the safety strap, and directly supervise the exercise.
  • Check that the spring attachments and bar hardware are secure before starting.
  • Keep your weight across your shoulders rather than your neck, with your head still throughout.
  • End the set before fatigue compromises your foot contact or control of the bar.

If you have neck or back symptoms, osteoporosis, or have been advised to avoid inversions, get guidance from a physiotherapist or doctor before attempting this exercise.

Muscles worked

Front

Primary muscles

  • Abs

Secondary muscles

  • Hip Flexors
  • Obliques

Equipment

  • Pilates Cadillac

Sets and reps

Sets
1–2
Target
3–5 reps
Rest
45 sec

Start with a small rolling range before progressing to the full shoulder-supported position.