I hate sit ups.

I hate sit ups. 

I bet you hate them too.

Sit ups give me flashbacks to high school gym class and the dreaded sit up test we had to take every year.

Sit ups aren’t the only way to strengthen your abs. 

When I discovered Pilates, I remember falling in love with it because it helped me maintain a strong core in a new way.

I was officially over sit ups and only here for Pilates.

It only takes a few minutes of practice a day to produce results. 

You don’t need any equipment and you practice anywhere.

It’s also a low-impact, weight-bearing activity. 

Pilates provides many other ab-strengthening exercises without the monotony, boredom, or gym class flashbacks.

According to new research published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, wall squats and planks are an effective tool to prevent and treat high blood pressure.

Exercises that engage muscles without movement may be best for lowering blood pressure. This type of training is known as isometric, or static, exercise.

Isometric training programs usually involve four two-minute bouts of activity, separated by rest intervals of one to four minutes, done three times per week, according to the study.

Existing guidelines on exercise for blood pressure management emphasize aerobic or cardio exercises such as running or cycling. These are effective but also based on old research. The authors said their findings should inform future guidelines about exercise for blood pressure.

Consult your health care provider. Pilates is not suited for everyone. Before engaging in these exercises, please discuss your medical history and fitness goals with your physician so that you can make an informed decision about your health. 

Ready to give it a try?

Try this Pilates workout with me.

This exercise is great for your shoulders, chest, triceps, hamstrings and core!

From a standing position with your feet hip distance apart, fold forward from the hips into a full forward bend and place your hands on the floor. Bend your knees, if necessary, to place your hands on the floor. Walk your hands out to a plank position. Check to make sure that your hands are directly under your shoulders so that they are close to your body. Keep your neck in line with your spine. Glide your shoulder blades down your back.

Pull in your powerhouse and hold for two minutes.

Inhale and lower for a Pilates pushup. Repeat for two more times. Exhale fully to return to the plank position. Complete two more pushups. Walk your hands back to an inverted Pilates V (aka downward facing dog). Take a deep stretch and continue walking your hands towards your feet and slowly roll up to a standing position. Finish by rolling your shoulders back three times and standing tall.

Learn more in the Couch to Consistent course where you’ll see how to stop struggling, make time for yourself, and workout regularly.

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Hate crunches? Here are 4 other ab exercises to try.

Crunches aren’t the only way to build a core. Since your core is comprised of 29 pairs of muscles, it takes more than a few crunches to build a strong core.

As a yoga and Pilates instructor for more 16 years, I would like to share four bodyweight ab exercises to help your readers build a strong core, prevent injuries, and improve athletic performance without a single crunch.

Hundred

1. To warm up your body, lie on your back with your legs in tabletop position, maintaining a 90-degree angle at the hip and knee.

2. Lift your head and shoulders, reaching your arms towards your feet.

3. Pump your arms above the abdominal wall.

4. Inhale for five counts and exhale for five counts.

5. Repeat for nine more cycles until you have reached ten inhales and ten exhales.

6. For a challenge, extend your legs out to a 45-degree angle.

Roll up

1. From the Hundred, lie on your back with your legs on the mat and toes pointed towards the ceiling.

2. Float your arms above your head.

3. As you inhale, peel your head, shoulders, and upper body off the mat bone by bone.

4. Exhale over your body.

5. Inhale and exhale roll down with control to the starting position.

6. Complete 5-7 repetitions.

7. Remember to use full inhalations and exhalations as you move through this pose.

Lower lift

1. From Criss Cross, keep your head up and place your hands at the base of your neck.

2. Extend both legs up to the ceiling.

3. Slowly lower legs to a 45-degree angle.

4. Then, return legs to a 90-degree angle.

5. Aim for 5-7 repetitions.

Front support

1. This exercise is great for your shoulders, chest, triceps, hamstrings, and core!

2. From a standing position with your feet hip-distance apart, fold forward from the hips into a full forward bend and place your hands on the floor.

3. Bend your knees, if necessary, to place your hands on the floor.

4. Walk your hands out to a plank position.

5. Check to make sure that your hands are directly under your shoulders so that they are close to your body.

6. Keep your neck in line with your spine.

7. Glide your shoulder blades down your back.

8. Pull in your powerhouse.

9. Inhale and lower for a Pilates pushup.

10. Repeat for two more times.

11. Exhale fully to return to the plank position.

12. Complete two more pushups.

13. Walk your hands back to an inverted Pilates V (aka downward facing dog).

14. Take a deep stretch, continue walking your hands towards your feet, and slowly roll up to a standing position. That's one rep.

15. Attempt to complete three repetitions to end this Pilates routine.

16. Finish by rolling your shoulders back three times and standing tall.

Learn more in the Couch to Consistent course where you’ll see how to stop struggling, make time for yourself, and workout regularly.

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10-minute ab workout you can do anywhere in the world

When you’re traveling this summer, don’t take a vacation from your workout too. You may not have the time, space or energy for a full Pilates practice when you're traveling but commit to a quick workout even when you're away. Here’s a 10-minute routine that works your whole body!

HUNDRED

To warm up your body, lie on your back with your legs in tabletop position, maintaining a 90-degree angle at the hip and knee. Lift your head and shoulders. Reach your arms towards your feet. Pump your arms above the abdominal wall. Inhale for five counts and exhale for five counts. Repeat for nine more cycles until you have reached 10 inhales and 10 exhales. For a challenge, extend your legs out to a 45-degree angle.

ROLL UP

From the Hundred, lie on your back with your legs on the mat and toes pointed towards the ceiling. Float your arms above your head. As you inhale, peel your head, shoulders and upper body off the mat bone by bone. Exhale over your body. Inhale and exhale roll down with control to the starting position. Complete 5-7 repetitions. Remember to use full inhalations and exhalations as you move through this pose.

SINGLE LEG STRETCH

Lie down on your mat with your arms at your sides. Bring your knees to your chest. Lift your head, neck and shoulders. Place your hands on your right knee and extend your left leg out to a 45-degree angle and switch sides. Complete for 10 repetitions on both sides. 

DOUBLE LEG STRETCH

From the previous pose, curl both legs in and lightly place your hands on your knees. Inhale and extend arms and legs in opposite directions. Exhale and return to the starting position. Complete for 5-7 repetitions. 

SCISSORS

Keep your head and shoulders lifted. Extend both legs to the ceiling and reach up as far as you can on your right leg. Pull it in for two short pulses and then switch legs. Be sure to climb up your leg and not pull it towards you as you complete 5-7 repetitions. 

CRISS CROSS

Keep your head lifted, bring your knees to your chest. Extend your left leg out to 45-degree angle and twist towards the bent right knee. Switch sides. Aim for 5-7 repetitions on both sides and be sure to keep your shoulder blades off the mat. 

LOWER LIFT

From Criss Cross, keep your head up and place your hands at the base of your neck. Extend both legs up to the ceiling. Slowly lower legs to a 45-degree angle. Then, return legs to a 90-degree angle. Aim for 5-7 repetitions.

FRONT SUPPORT

This exercise is great for your shoulders, chest, triceps, hamstrings and core! From a standing position with your feet hip distance apart, fold forward from the hips into a full forward bend and place your hands on the floor. Bend your knees, if necessary, to place your hands on the floor. Walk your hands out to a plank position. Check to make sure that your hands are directly under your shoulders so that they are close to your body. Keep your neck in line with your spine. Glide your shoulder blades down your back. Pull in your powerhouse. Inhale and lower for a Pilates pushup. Repeat for two more times. Exhale fully to return to the plank position. Complete 2 more pushups. Walk your hands back to an inverted Pilates V (aka downward facing dog). Take a deep stretch and continue walking your hands towards your feet and slowly roll up to a standing position. That’s one rep. Attempt to complete 3 repetitions to end this Pilates routine. Finish by rolling your shoulders back three times and standing tall.

Learn more in the Couch to Consistent course where you’ll see how to stop struggling, make time for yourself, and workout regularly.

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