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5 Best Pilates AB Workouts at Home

  • Author: lesley.logan
  • February 3, 2024
Home  »  Blog   »   5 Best Pilates AB Workouts at Home
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How to Do The Pilates AB Series at Home

Pilates was designed to work the entire body in every workout – literally leaving no muscle over or under worked – which is why Pilates not just an ab workout. But, there is a series of exercises on the Mat called “The Abdominal Series of 5” that you can do whenever you want, where ever you are. And, if you’re doing it right, you’ll be feeling it in less than 3 reps of each variation!

Single Leg Stretch

Also, know as the Single Leg Pull. This exercise is easy to cheat your abs on. So, be careful that you don’t use your arms to pull you up. Instead, use your abdominals to bend your spine and your arms to pull on your leg for the hip stretch. As you switch your legs this is where you really want to pull in center because the abs will want to push out. Maintain your low ribs on the mat and your belly button towards your spine. In the beginning do 5-10 each side and you can rest before the next one. As you advance, just 3 each side no break before you go to the next one.

Double Leg Stretch

If you only have one minute to work out your Pilates abs series, then do this! Do it for a whole minute but make sure you do let your chest drop as your legs go out. Lift your chest up as your arms go back. And, as your legs bend in you’ll be tempted to drop your heels but this will def cheat you out of some good ab stuff. So, reach your legs and arms far and away from each other lifting your chest and hugging your outer thighs in. Then pull your knees into your chest from your abs. In the beginning 5-10 and then rest. But, as you advance do 3 good ones and skip the break and go straight into the next one.

Single Straight Leg Stretch

This one is easy to hang off your flexibility and also make it come from the quads. But, if you pull on your leg from your upper back muscles and reach the opposite leg away from your seat you’ll be able to find the longest flexion in your spine. And, as you switch your legs similarly to your Single Leg Stretch you want to focus on your abs pulling in as they will want to pop out on the switch. Do 5-10x each side in the beginning and then as you advance do 3 good ones each side and skip the break going right into the next one.

Double Straight Leg Stretch

This one will make you want to cheat your upper abs and counter balance your legs by “leaning back” as the legs lower. But, if done right, you’ll feel your abs from top to bottom getting challenged. And, to top it off, your upper back and glutes will get some love too! The key to this one working your abs the best is to press your head into your hands and lifting your chest up but pulling your low ribs into the mat and keeping them there. As your legs lower your chest tries to lift up and over your abs. Then to lift you legs, stretch them out as far as you can and you’ll feel your abs take the control and not your legs. Do 5-10x in the beginning and rest. As you advance 3 good ones and go right into the next one.

Criss Cross

Easy to think you know this one. I mean, it does look like “bicycle sit ups.” But, it’s all about your waist getting its twist on. And, if you have been doing the previous 4 correct you’ll be lucky to get 3 good ones out of this one! Focus on your armpit coming to your opposite knee and not cheating your abs by bringing your elbow to your knee. Do 5-10 each side in the beginning. Then, when you are more advanced, 3 good ones each side.

You’ll know if you’re doing these right. If by Criss Cross you feel like that was “easy,” then you likely were going through the choreography. So, focus on the strength of each exercise, the tips I gave above and what I said in the videos. I never skip these in my OPC classes because they are that good at strengthening your core and MORE! Because your core is not just your abdominals. It’s your glutes, inner thighs, abs and back!

Give these 5 a go and try to do them daily. If you have questions, let me know!

xx-LL

By lesley.logan

Lesley Logan, NCPT, is the founder of OnlinePilatesClasses.com, the first free online catalogue of Pilates exercise tutorial videos, where you can also find weekly online mat classes and workshops. When not teaching from her studio in Los Angeles, Lesley can be found traveling the world leading Pilates retreats, or offering Pilates business coaching to studio owners and other instructors through her private mastermind group. Connect with Lesley on instagram @lesley.logan or through the contact page on this site.

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SUCH A TEASE

ONLINE MAT & REFORMER PILATES CLASS DESCRIPTIONS:

Teaser is probably one of the most photographed exercises in Pilates. Which makes people think it's a "peak pose." But, it's anything but! It's simply another layer to your Pilates practice. This week we will acknowledge how each exercise contributes to your ability to do Teaser (someday) and then how Teaser teaches you where to get curious in your practice.

On the Mat we will use light weights for one round of Teaser as they can be helpful for those still adding into their practice.
No props on the Reformer.

See you in class,

xx~LL

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, light weights and a Mat!

>> Wondering what mat I’m using? You can find out more here.

REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self and a Reformer!

>> Wondering what reformer I’m using? You can find out more here.

PINK PONY

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

Let's talk Horseback? Its not an exercise you might know if you only do the Mat. So when you see Horseback think Spine Stretch Forward. However, both exercises look possible when you see them. Only to be discover there are many many layers. On the Mat we'll focus on what Spine Stretch forward reveals we need to work on and what we might be ready for. On the Reformer Horseback is a revealer exercise. Its not one you go slow on. And, it definitely shows where we have work to do!

See you in class,
xx-LL

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self and a mat!

>> Wondering what mat I’m using? You can find out more here.

REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self and a reformer!

>> Wondering what reformer I’m using? You can find out more here.


UNDER THE SEA

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

This week’s theme is water named exercises - swan, swimming, seal, and crab. Here’s what’s awesome about these exercises - you learn swan before you learn swimming, and you learn seal before you learn crab. So, when it comes to swimming or crab, you can always replace it with swan or seal as you build yourself up to swimming and crab. And you may be able to practice the crab exercise today if it’s not in your regular practice because we’re going to break it down.

On the reformer, there are swan and swimming exercises, but no seal and crab exercises. However, there are exercises that are similar, and there are exercises that can support you so you can practice seal and crab exercises. Maybe even give it a go after your reformer practice to see how it helps!

Mat Prop: Magic Circle
No props for the reformer.

See you in class,
Christine

MOBILITY AND STABILITY

ONLINE MAT, REFORMER, TOWER/CADILLAC & WUNDA CHAIR PILATES CLASS DESCRIPTIONS:

Throughout our movement practice we have muscles actively moving and muscles actively holding still. Whether muscles are mobile or muscles are stabilizing us, they’re definitely working and definitely getting stronger while we workout. As we bring awareness to what’s mobile and what’s stable, we hope it helps you connect more to your body, your practice and your overall confidence in movement!

Props needed:
Mat: Squishy ball or bolster
Reformer: None
Tower: None
Chair: Optional box and mat

See ya in class,
xx-LL

IT TAKES 2!

Online Mat, Reformer, Cadillac & Wunda Chair Pilates Class Descriptions:

Yaasss, it does take 2 to make a thing go right! This month, we’ll only be doing 2 reps of each exercise on the Mat, Reformer, Wunda Chair, and Cadillac/Tower. This is such a fun challenge for our bodies. Have a towel nearby because we’re gonna’ work up a sweat!

Props needed:
Mat: Magic Circle
Reformer: None
Tower/Cadillac: None
Wunda Chair: None

See ya in class,
xx-LL

BOOM BOOM POW

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

Boomerang on the Mat isn't easy for me. It's got sooo much going on. Perhaps that's why Joe Pilates put it at the end. In this week's classes on the Mat and Reformer we'll build up the connections we need to roll through our Boomerang with strength and control. And, focus on the genius of how many exercises ready us for this chaotic controlled roll.

See ya in class,
xx-LL

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, 1lb weights or water bottles and a mat!

>> Wondering what mat I’m using? You can find out more here.

REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, 1lb weight or water bottle and a reformer!

>> Wondering what reformer I’m using? You can find out more here.


FLIP IT AND REVERSE IT

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

Ever wonder why some of the exercises that require more stability, balance, and control are at the end of the order when we’re tired? I have, and I can’t help but think “Why all the madness???”

We know there was definitely a method to the matness (puns intended), but I wonder if there’s a bit of madness to the method. I want to know if it really makes a difference to do the order from beginning to end…so, why not flip our Order and reverse it and then talk about it?

Join me for this week’s classes where we are going to flip it & reverse it! We are going to start at the end of the order and work our way to the beginning. Let’s explore how our bodies feel when doing the “end of the order” exercises while we are COLD and how it feels to do our “warm up” exercises while we are HOT (and maybe a little tired)!

Grab a barrel or a blanket for the Mat class. We might need a little help connecting at the beginning of our workout, and a barrel or blanket will help us do that! Grab a ball and you’ll have everything you need for the Reformer class.

See you in class,
Rachel

ARM FUN WEIGHT

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

Everytime I use Arm Weights in my workouts I have a lot of fun playing around with the exercises. These little weights have a big impact on our form, control and execution and we also get a sweaty workout. Let´s grab your 1 to 2 pound Arm Weights and get together on your Mat & Reformer to play around and have some fun!

See you in class,
Yasmin

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, 1-2lb arm weights and a mat!

>> Wondering what mat I’m using? You can find out more here.

REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, 1-2lb arm weights and a reformer!

>> Wondering what reformer I’m using? You can find out more here.


PINK PONY

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

Let's talk Horseback? Its not an exercise you might know if you only do the Mat. So when you see Horseback think Spine Stretch Forward. However, both exercises look possible when you see them. Only to be discover there are many many layers. On the Mat we'll focus on what Spine Stretch forward reveals we need to work on and what we might be ready for. On the Reformer Horseback is a revealer exercise. Its not one you go slow on. And, it definitely shows where we have work to do!

No props needed.

See ya in class,
xx-LL

FLIP IT AND REVERSE IT

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

Ever wonder why some of the exercises that require more stability, balance, and control are at the end of the order when we’re tired? I have, and I can’t help but think “Why all the madness???”

We know there was definitely a method to the matness (puns intended), but I wonder if there’s a bit of madness to the method. I want to know if it really makes a difference to do the order from beginning to end…so, why not flip our Order and reverse it and then talk about it?

Join me for this week’s classes where we are going to flip it & reverse it! We are going to start at the end of the order and work our way to the beginning. Let’s explore how our bodies feel when doing the “end of the order” exercises while we are COLD and how it feels to do our “warm up” exercises while we are HOT (and maybe a little tired)!

Grab a barrel or a blanket for the Mat class. We might need a little help connecting at the beginning of our workout, and a barrel or blanket will help us do that! Grab a ball and you’ll have everything you need for the Reformer class.

See you in class,
Rachel

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, barrel or a blanket and a mat!

>> Wondering what mat I’m using? You can find out more here.

REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, a ball and a reformer!

>> Wondering what reformer I’m using? You can find out more here.


ARM WEIGHT FUN

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

Everytime I use Arm Weights in my workouts I have a lot of fun playing around with the exercises. These little weights have a big impact on our form, control and execution and we also get a sweaty workout. Let´s grab your 1 to 2 pound Arm Weights and get together on your Mat & Reformer to play around and have some fun!

See you in class,
Yasmin

UP, UP, & AWAY

ONLINE MAT, REFORMER, CADILLAC & WUNDA CHAIR PILATES CLASS DESCRIPTIONS:

We are all going to feel like Super Humans after this month!!

Whenever I’m in a hard exercise (for me) where I’m holding myself up with my arms and reaching my legs away I picture myself with super human strength!!! I can do ANYTHING! It makes me smile and helps me stay STRONG.

This month our exercise is Up Stretch and when you think about it - reaching your legs away and staying strong over the carriage may feel a lot like flying!

We’ll be focusing on stabilizing our strong cores while staying equally balanced in our arms and legs. We are giving you some amazing building blocks by merging strength and stretch in all directions. You are going to get a little bit of everything that you can use to connect to your Up Stretch (and even your Roll Up and Knee Stretches Off).

Chair: Please have a foam roller and a balance pad available. We are going to challenge your balance safely.

xx-LL