Running
Plane of Motion
Sagittal
Muscle Focus
Spring Setting
Medium / Heavy
1-2 Short Medium or Light Springs
Safety Chain
Plantar Flexors
Gastrocnemius Soleus, Tibialis Posterior, Flexor Hallucis Longus, Flexor Digitorum Longus, Peroneus Longus, Peroneus Brevis
Concentrically contracts to push the bar up.
Eccentrically contracts to lower the bar down to stretch with control.
Other Muscles at Play
Spinal stabilizers to maintain lumbo-pelvic stabilization & resist the hips from shifting during the reciprocal action of the legs.
Knee extensors to straight the knee or keep the knee straight.
Dorsiflexors to flex the foot and reach the heel further past the bar.
Objectives
Foot positioning on the Cadillac/Tower is similar to that on the reformer and chair, with the additional advantage of being able to see the foot position and leg alignment.
Movements challenge trunk stability and enhance lumbo-pelvic stabilization.
Strengthen the muscles responsible for pointing and flexing the foot, particularly the plantar flexors.
Maintain stability in the pelvis against the reciprocal action of the legs.
Improve hamstring & calf flexibility.
Focus on breathing to synchronize the movement.