Pilates "Why Can't I?" Series - The ROLL UP with Alisa Wyatt

pilatesology.com, www.alisawyatt.com Pilates was created as a corrective form of exercise to fix the misalignments that come from daily habits and weaknesses so that your body can function at its best. In the "Why Can't I?" series, I'm addressing the reasons some of us have a hard time doing certain exercises, like the ROLL UP. Learn what might be going on in your body that makes the exercise hard for you, and how Joseph Pilates himself would modify the movement so you can get it right. I'll be posting many more clips in this series so please let me know your thoughts and questions, I will be happy to answer them!

[@cateenadav]

I watched a video for beginners / seniors. I was struggling with the roll up and felt I was actually hurting myself. The video suggested rolling a small towel and placing it under low back as you are developing the abdominal strength. It worked for me and was a great interim step. I can now do it without the towel.

[@lovetoread9042]

Omg thank you sooooooo much. I am starting again after years of neglect to my body. I couldn't even complete one. This will help tremendously.

[@MikaylaStory]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. This is the one I see the most problems with in my classes and I have almost run out of new ways to explain the method. THANK YOU for fresh ideas!

[@Turtleisation]

Not being able to do this just makes me even more depressed about myself.

[@emilynewton1921]

I can’t do it yet, either. Even with modifications. My Pilates instructors says look at all the things you can do after 1 1/2 years. 🤞good luck! We will get there.

[@Turtleisation]

@@emilynewton1921 sorry for the late reply - thats really encouraging, thank you :) hope you get there too, small steps at a time. Keep safe

[@PatriziaDrHucke]

You will be successful, if you practice the Hundred with a lot of patience.

[@PatriziaDrHucke]

Never mind, if your feet don't remain steadily on the mat. I have practiced Hundreds, One Leg Circels, One Leg Stretch, Two Leg Stretch and Roll up with lifting the feet from the ground. Finally, I managed the Roll Up correctly. But the exercise is almost as difficult as the Neck Pull.

[@jessicab331]

Did you ever get it??? I’m new and I was feeling the same until I thought like if you keep quitting and feeling depressed about it you’ll never get it.

[@alisawyattfitness]

Hooray!!! I'm so happy to hear it, congratulations on your first Roll-Up, you're on your way!

[@alisawyattfitness]

You're not alone in having trouble with Neck Pull! I will post a video on it next month but in the meantime, try pressing your heels into the floor when you roll up and down and press your head into your hands, use the resistance. When Mr. Pilates taught this exercise, he always used a strap over your feet, no matter how advanced you were so that you could use your whole body.

[@dentellenoir]

(I am assuming this was for me?) I watched the Pilatesology video where you talked about the strap, and I used my couch. Tonight, I did my very first Roll-Up ever! I'm so happy I could cry! Thank you so much!

[@jennieladew-duncan132]

Thanks for the clear explanation and the tips.

[@brettkillington9855]

Thanks for this, very clear.

[@Nadd15]

I cannot for the life of me, keep my feet on the ground (rolling up or down)... When rolling down, just as my lower back is about to touch, my legs come up and I fall backwards.. Also when I'm trying to roll up, just as I have to get my lower back off of the ground..my feet fling up and I fall back.. This is even when I am using my arms to hold onto my thighs. It's frustrating because I can't even get the burning feeling in my abs, because just as I roll back or up, I fall!

[@PILATESOLOGY]

You're not alone! This is the most common problem when starting out with this exercise. You need to hook your feet under something so you can use the parts of your body that need to get stronger. Use your couch or a heavy chair or have someone hold your feet down. In a traditional Pilates session, you would actually always use a strap to hold your feet down in this exercise so don't feel like it's cheating, it's actually making you use the right muscles. Start by keeping your knees bent and when you can roll up evenly that way, start straightening your legs. Keep at it, it might take a while! Alisa

[@celinashum9461]

keetz15 I am the same, it seems like an impossible feat ! Did you manage in the end ?

[@tavonnaa]

+PILATESOLOGY thank you for that!

[@javachix]

I often have my students hold a 5 pound weight between their hands for counter balance. Eventually lightening the weight over time.

[@bjarnesmith70]

Thanks for that. I can do it easy with my feet hooked under something, but without hooking my feet, I find it impossible (I'm new to the exercise). Now I see how I can progress towards doing this exercise.

[@melissaproietti4253]

Nice video, what about someone that has scoliosis and can't round the spine cause muscles are uneven to be able to roll? Thank you

[@dentellenoir]

I really like the way you explain, but I find that I still cannot do it! When I got to that "the hardest part" My feet lifted up and I rolled backwards like a ball! EPIC FAIL! Is there something I had do to help this stop?

[@alisawyattfitness]

Hee hee, you have a talent for humor if not the Roll Up :). Seriously though, it's not you at all--most people have the same difficulty when they learn this exercise. Go to my other channel (Pilatesology--the link is in the video description above) and find The Roll Up -- on that one I show how to anchor your feet and explain why that will help. There's lots more free Pilates videos there too.

[@walktallpilates2588]

This is great.Thanks

[@ingredilima5172]

Melhor explicação! Beijos do Brasil

[@almightyminimite]

Very informative thank you

[@farlyn3]

Could you do one about the hip twist with straight arms?

[@marionwilk4847]

Can't do it at all 😢

[@seematater2159]

I had a question ... I am practicing pilates for almost 1 1/2 yr But I am still struggling with my roll ups .. unable to do smoothly .. But the moment I give even a little (1/2cm ) padding under my lumber back ... I am little smoother Could u suggest what should I work on ... Fyi ... I have tight rectus fermoris..that is reason i guess my legs lift up too While rolling up

[@lindseykraus751]

Thank you so much for this I have had 2 babies and have started getting back into workouts and this is the one move I just can not master, I will practise this

[@PirateOfTheNorth]

I get stuck at 1:09. My stomach touches my thighs and it makes it very difficult to do the rest of the movement. Should I slim down some more before trying pilates? I'm trying to lose weight at the moment and have lost 10 lbs so far. My current weight is around 190 lbs. Other than that kudos for your video because it is really good at explaining how to do it properly.

[@beatricerhodesgdev]

OK- if you have a bit of fat when poking above and below your navel and getting up without pulling on the legs- how do you do this one then? there are some hidden tummy muscles behind the fat but they don't active at this very moment....

[@kyoolilim2652]

I wanna be able to do this so bad.

[@itssafeinthecity]

So “why can’t I” You don’t answer the question...

[@overandoutful]

I have a kyphotic spine. Why can't I do the roll up?

[@opodobed]

I like your videos very much! your technic is perfect and you are so beautiful! I like your entirely! Even your hairstyle and your voice :)

[@lauravaldez3829]

I’m determined I’m going to get this mastered, even if it kills me!!! 😡🤬🤬😡🥵

[@tbrghtmn]

I can't do the roll up on the Pilates Chair. I'm going to the floor on my next session and I'll work up to the chair.

[@bhumika_t]

I can do it with the help of legs, but not without :(

[@HeyRickey]

I can’t even do it with my knees bent. Omg this is sad

[@boonavite3200]

Somehow, I can only do a roll-up on the bed, not the floor.

[@JheRamae]

Sameeee

[@emilynewton1921]

I can roll back but I can’t roll up

[@mbv22311]

i can’t even lay my feet flat