Pilates Movement Monday: Leg Circles on the Reformer

Maintaining neutral spine and pelvis, the legs circle to challenge pelvic stability.

Leg Circles on the Reformer look simple, but the challenge is in the control. This movement is all about finding stability while the legs move through different ranges and directions. Done well, it teaches your clients how to separate leg mobility from pelvic stability, a skill they carry into every other exercise.

Key focus points

• Keep a neutral spine and pelvis throughout. No rocking, no tilting.

• Choose a circle range you can control. Smaller is often smarter.

• Work parallel, turned out, or internally rotated for different challenges.

Why it matters

• Strengthens and balances the hip joint.

• Supports and stabilises the pelvis.

• Gives gentle release around the sacroiliac joint, which is often tight.

Springs

• Supportive, but not too heavy. Too light and you lose stability, too heavy and you fight the springs. Aim for the middle ground where you feel supported yet challenged.

Breath

• Out as you open for a supportive breath pattern.

• In as you open for a more advanced, challenging breath.

Leg Circles are a reminder that the Reformer isn’t about how big you can move, but how well you can stabilise while moving. Done thoughtfully, this exercise builds both control and freedom around the hips and pelvis.