Pilates
Reformer Cleopatra
Reformer Cleopatra is a seated Pilates exercise combining a supported side bend with gentle trunk rotation. It trains abdominal control while stretching the side of your torso.
- Intermediate
- Compound
- Moderate injury risk
- Rest 30 sec
How to do it
- Sit sideways on the carriage with your legs folded comfortably to one side.
- Place the hand nearest the footbar on top of it.
- Reach your free arm overhead.
- Press the carriage outward into a supported side bend toward the footbar.
- Rotate your chest toward the carriage, allowing your raised arm to follow the turn.
- Unwind your torso to the side-bending position.
- Return the carriage inward as you bring your torso upright.
- Lower your free arm to finish the repetition.
Form cues
- Keep your pelvis quiet.
- Lengthen through both sides of your waist.
- Keep space between shoulder and ear.
- Exhale gently into the turn.
Common mistakes
- Pulling the twist with your armTurn from your rib cage rather than reaching your arm farther to force rotation.
- Collapsing onto the supporting wristSpread pressure across your palm with a softly extended elbow.
- Using momentumMove slowly enough to pause comfortably at any point in the repetition.
Safety
A sudden carriage recoil can pull you off balance or overload your supporting shoulder. Forcing the combined side bend and rotation can strain your back, especially as control fades.
- Have a qualified Pilates instructor establish an appropriate spring setting before your first attempt.
- Confirm that the footbar is locked securely before placing weight through your hand.
- Use a smaller range if you cannot reverse the movement smoothly.
- Stop if you feel pinching, sharp pain, or loss of support.
If folded sitting or spinal rotation aggravates your knees, hips, or back, choose a supported seated variation or ask a physiotherapist for guidance.
Muscles worked
Primary muscles
Secondary muscles
Equipment
- Pilates Reformer
Sets and reps
- Sets
- 1–2
- Target
- 4–6 reps per side
- Rest
- 30 sec
Repeat on the opposite side with the same controlled range.