Pilates mat work for full body strength
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can align my body correctly to complete Pilates mat work, demonstrating poses like the bridge pose, using resistance bands if I choose.
Key learning points
- Move: engaging core and glutes when hips are lifted in bridge pose will allow for more stability.
- Move: resistance bands help push flexibility limits, providing controlled tension to deepen stretches.
- Think: resistance bands will make exercises more challenging and interesting.
- Feel: using resistance bands to feel your limit of tension, enhances body awareness to assist with training.
- Connect: supporting classmates in partner work with resistance bands enables further improvement in flexibility.
Keywords
Bridge pose - lifting the hips off the mat while lying on your back to engage the gluteals, lower back and core
Tension - the pull or resistance your muscles feel when working against something, such as a resistance band
Resistance bands - stretchy bands used in Pilates to make exercises harder and help build strength
Common misconception
Pupils think that resistance bands make exercises easier
Resistance bands actually add extra tension, making movements more challenging. They engage muscles throughout the entire movement, improving strength, control and stability more effectively than bodyweight exercises alone.
Teacher tip
Having different types of resistance bands for this lesson will help pupils select which they are most comfortable using. If resistance bands are unavailable, use a rolled up blanket or a strap to support movement.
Equipment
1 pilates mat per pupil, a speaker, 1 short resistance band per pupil and 1 long resistance band (or strap) per pupil.
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - physical activity
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What type of practice is Vinyasa yoga?
Q2.How should you move on the inhale?
Q3.What should you do if you find a movement difficult?
Q4.Which component of fitness does yoga not develop?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.How can you engage your core?
Q2.What else should you engage, other than your core, when doing the bridge pose?
Q3.Why do bands improve your muscular strength?
Q4.How can you use resistance bands to improve flexibility?
To help you plan your 11 physical education lesson on: Pilates mat work for full body strength, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 physical education lesson on: Pilates mat work for full body strength, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom.
Explore more key stage 4 physical education lessons from the Health and wellbeing: yoga, pilates and mindfulness for life unit, dive into the full secondary physical education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.