One of the great things about Pilates is that you can do this low-impact exercise anytime, anywhere.
In fact, all you need is one of the best yoga matsa selection of some of the best workout clothes for women or men, and some floor space to start improving your flexibility and strengthening your body.
To help you find your flow, we share a training from a certified Pilates and Yoga teacher, nicole mcpherson (opens in a new tab). McPherson has created a 30-minute Pilates-inspired workout that specifically targets your abs and helps tone your core.
So it really is a great all-rounder if you’re looking to challenge your core, improve your range of motion, and enjoy a super-satisfying stretch in under an hour.
“You can do this workout alone or combine it with one of my other full-body burn workouts,” says McPherson. “All you need is yourself and a mat, no equipment is needed.” Ready to get started?
If you are new to Pilates, don’t worry. In this half-hour tutorial, McPherson walks you through each position by showing and telling you what to do, explaining each move and how to do it right.
As with any form of exercise, it doesn’t matter if you can’t bend or lean as low as the trainer. What matters is your form and making sure you listen to your body as you go through the workout.
McPherson’s training uses key exercises and some of the ones you might expect to find in the best workouts for abssuch as bicycle crunches and isometric exercises, which involve holding the body in one position without muscle or joint movement, such as performing a plank position.
The 30-minute session also includes stretches that can challenge your core and improve your flexibility at the same time. According to Harvard Medical School (opens in a new tab), increasing your core strength can reduce your risk of falls. That’s because your abs are the “strong central link in a chain that connects your upper and lower body.” Plus, Pilates exercises like the one above can help put your core to the test.
Also, if you suffer from back pain, according to research published in the Postgraduate Medical Journal (opens in a new tab)Pilates can also have a positive effect in reducing pain in this area.
Do you prefer yoga? look these yoga exercises for beginners instead.
