Name one abdominal exercise and its settings.

The Hundred is a fundamental exercise in Pilates that focuses on engaging the abdominal muscles while also serving as a warming exercise to increase the heart rate. The use of 1 1/2 springs provides an appropriate level of resistance on the reformer, allowing for sufficient support and challenge to the abdominal muscles during the movement.

In this exercise, the practitioner lies on their back on the reformer, lifts their head and shoulders off the carriage, and pumps the arms while breathing in and out. The one and a half springs setting offers a balanced resistance that encourages a deeper engagement of the core, while the reformer provides stability and allows for smooth movement. This setting is essential to ensure proper form and to prevent strain, making it a suitable choice for both beginners and experienced practitioners in a Pilates class focused on core strength and endurance.

The combination of the Hundred's mechanics, the carefully chosen spring resistance, and the use of the reformer helps maximize the effectiveness of the exercise in strengthening the abdominal region.