Why we love the Hundred

Let’s talk about The Hundred—the infamous exercise that kicks off so many Pilates sessions. Love it or loathe it, this punchy little number has earned its place as a classical Pilates essential.

So what is The Hundred?

It’s a breathing exercise. A core strengthener. A circulation booster. A warm-up. A mindset reset. And it packs all of that into one minute. (Yes, it’s called The Hundred because you pump your arms 100 times. We’re nothing if not literal.)

You lie on your back, lift your head and shoulders, stretch your legs out long (or bend them, or keep your feet down if needed), and pump your arms up and down while breathing in for five counts and out for five. Rinse and repeat until you hit that magic hundred.

Sounds simple? Not quite.

The Hundred is often underestimated. It looks easy enough. But when you’re doing it with purpose—really connecting your breath, engaging your abdominals, and keeping everything working in harmony—it’s intense. And that's the point.

At our studio, we treat The Hundred as a check-in. How’s your body feeling today? Where are you holding tension? Can you find the work without forcing it?

Here’s why we keep coming back to it:

• It wakes up your entire system.

• It teaches you to move with your breath, not against it.

• It reveals what your body’s doing that day—and what it might need.

• It’s scalable. You can adjust your leg position, your head, your tempo. Whether you’re a total beginner or a lifelong Contrology freak, The Hundred will meet you where you are.

And it’s not just for the mat. You can do The Hundred on the Reformer, Cadillac, Wunda Chair, Barrels—even in standing. Wherever you do it, the essence stays the same: breath, rhythm, energy, control. That’s what makes it so powerful.

We’ve seen clients build serious strength just by consistently showing up and embracing this one exercise. Not rushing through it. Not gritting their teeth. But really practising it.

So the next time you hear “Let’s start with The Hundred,” take a deep breath (or five). This isn’t a punishment. It’s an opportunity.

And hey—only 100 pumps to go.