There’s something I say all the time in the studio – especially to new clients:
“Use your hands.”
And more often than not, I get a look that says, Wait… you want me to use my arms? Isn’t that cheating?
Let’s clear that up right now – it’s not cheating. In fact, it might be exactly what you’ve been missing.
You might be cheating yourself out of using your abs if you don’t use your arms!
The Half Roll Back: Where It All Begins
Let’s take a very common exercise: the half roll back, which eventually leads to the full roll up.
You’re sitting tall, feet on the mat, knees bent. holding onto the backs of your thighs, drop your chin slightly, relax your neck, and begin to look toward your abdominals. Then, begin to roll your hips back – away from your legs.
At first, it’s a small movement. And honestly, the rolling back part? That’s not the hardest part.
The real work begins when you come back up.
This is where you to use your hands – to pull yourself deeper into your abdominals as you return. And this is also where I see a lot of people let go of the work. The arms are just… there. Lightly holding. Not helping.
And the body? It takes the easy way out.
Why “Pilates Feels Easy” (Sometimes)
This pattern shows up everywhere – not just in the half roll back, but across the entire system.
People move through the exercises. It looks fine. But they’re not actually in the work.
That’s often where comments like:
- “Pilates felt easy.”
- “I didn’t really feel anything.”
come from.
You can absolutely move through Pilates without doing Pilates.
My Own Wake-Up Call
I didn’t come from a dance background – I came from the gym. I was strong in my arms and legs, but I wasn’t connected.
And I used to think using my arms was cheating.
Sound familiar?
I hear it from clients all the time. It’s a hard habit to break. But once you do, everything changes.
Because when you start using your arms intentionally, they become a tool – not a shortcut.
They help you:
- Find your center
- Deepen the work
- Build real strength
Where Your Hands Matter Most
This isn’t just about one exercise. Your hands – and arms – play a critical role all over the studio:
- Curling up for the Hundred and Coordination
- Stomach Massage (round back and hands back)
- Long Stretch series (Long Stretch, Down Stretch, Up Stretch, Elephant… yes, even the one-legged version)
- Teaser on the Wunda Chair
- Going Up Front on the High Chair (Electric Chair)
- Leg Springs on the Cadillac (including Airplane)
Your arms provide support, feedback, and resistance.
They help you organize your body so that one day—you won’t need them.
From Assistance to Independence
Here’s the goal:
Use your arms now so that later… you don’t have to.
They help you build the strength and connection needed to eventually perform the movement without assistance—while staying lifted, supported, and in control.
That’s real progress.
Stop Leaving Strength on the Table
If you continue moving the same way – with the same habits – you’ll keep getting the same results.
Stronger doesn’t come from repetition alone. It comes from better mechanics.
I tell my clients all the time:
I’m really good at being bad.
I can cheat. I can make it look good. I can avoid the deeper work if I want to.
But that’s not what changes your body.
What changes your body is when you decide to go deeper, to use what’s available, and to stop by passing the work.
The Next Time You’re in Class…
And your instructor says, “Use your arms…”
Don’t just place them there like a decorative detail.
Don’t let them sit there like a place card holder at a dinner party.
Use them.
Let them help you find the work.
Let them challenge you.
Let them connect you.
Because your arms aren’t taking away from the exercise –
They’re helping you finally do it.
