Which Pilates exercise primarily focuses on the upper body?

The Swan is primarily focused on the upper body because it emphasizes extension and strengthening of the back while engaging the shoulders and arms. This exercise encourages the practitioner to lift the chest and open up the thoracic spine, promoting a strong upper body posture and enhancing flexibility in the back.

During the performance of the Swan, participants engage their upper back muscles, particularly the latissimus dorsi and the muscles that support shoulder stability and extension. This makes it effective for improving upper body strength, creating a balanced musculature, and promoting awareness of the spine alignment, which are key objectives in Pilates practice.

Other exercises listed have different areas of emphasis: The Plank focuses on core stability and whole-body engagement, The Saw incorporates rotational movements and engages the entire torso, while The Roll Up emphasizes spinal articulation and core strength. These aspects are less concentrated on the upper body compared to the Swan.