Tendon Stretch
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 with control.
Other Muscles at Play
Anterior spinal stabilizers to maintain lumbo-pelvic stabilization & resist the hips from shifting during the unilateral movement.
Hip adductors to keep the legs together build the midline connection into the core.
Knee extensors to keep the knees straight.
Dorsiflexors to flex the feet and reach the heels 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 observe foot position and leg alignment.
Movements challenge trunk stabilization and enhance lumbo-pelvic stabilization.
Enhance the muscles responsible for pointing and flexing the foot, particularly the plantar flexors.
Stabilize the pelvis while the lower legs are in motion.
Increase hamstring & calf flexibility.
Focus on breathing to synchronize the movement.