These Pilates exercises are designed to help strengthen your abdominal muscles, improve core stability, and enhance your overall posture and alignment. They come from FS8’s signature 3-in-1 classes, which combine reformer Pilates, functional strength training, and yoga for a well-rounded workout.
1. Single Leg Stretch
A classic Pilates move that targets the lower abs while challenging coordination and control. Lie on your back, lift your head and shoulders, extend one leg out, and switch legs in a controlled, fluid motion.
2. Double Crunch Toe Taps
Engage your core by lifting your head, neck, and shoulders off the mat while tapping your toes down toward the floor, maintaining control and avoiding any arching of the lower back.
3. Leg Raises
This move strengthens the lower abdominal region. Keep your back pressed into the mat as you slowly raise and lower your legs together, keeping them straight and tight.
4. Bicycle Ab Crunch
Twist from your waist to bring your opposite elbow to your opposite knee while keeping the movement slow and deliberate to engage all parts of the core.
5. Ab Chopper
Sit upright with your legs bent and feet on the floor. Hold a weight or imaginary ball and twist from side to side, simulating a chopping motion to target the obliques.
6. Can Can
A fun, dynamic exercise that engages the abs and obliques. With your legs together and bent, twist your hips side to side like a wind-up, kicking out your feet in the process.
7. Russian Twist
Sit on the floor with your knees bent and feet lifted or grounded. Twist your torso to the right and left, maintaining a tight core and straight spine for maximum benefit.
These seven moves offer a low-impact yet highly effective way to tone and strengthen your abs, incorporating mindfulness and precision with every rep.