Nowadays Pilates has gained immense popularity among health conscious people. It improves your core strength and tones your body effectively. Moreover, Pilates creates a balance between flexibility and strength.
To get a fast result you need to do Pilates exercises several times in a week. If you follow the routine regularly and religiously then you are bound to see the result in a few months. Like all other body parts Pilates efficiently tones up your abdominal muscles.
There are several Pilates exercises that especially target your abs, correct and improve your posture and improve your strength and balance by strengthening the spine.
Why You Should Do Pilates Exercises For Toning Your Abs
There are several reasons behind choosing Pilates above other forms of exercises. While other strength training exercises builds up muscles instead of slimming down the waistline, Pilates effectively gives you a leaner waist by working on the deeper abdominal muscles.
Additionally, it increases your flexibility level and gives your midsection a taller and thinner appearance. Here is a list of some Pilates abdominal exercises that are sure to help you to get toned and attractive abs. Start your exercise with a few minutes of warm up.
The Hundred
To do this exercise you need to lie down on your back. This exercise requires the perfect coordination of breathing and body movement. Your knees need to be drawn towards your chest and hands should be extended at your sides. Move your head off the floor.
First, breathe in and then breathe out while pressing your abs towards your spine. Try to squeeze your hips and your thighs as far as possible. Be in this position and slowly up and down your arms.
Breathe in and pause for a few seconds and then breathe out and again take a pause. Now, lower the legs slightly but keep your head lifted. Keep moving your hands and continue to do that for a few minutes. Then slowly go back to the starting position. This exercise improves the blood flow in your body.
The Roll Up
Again lie on your back and stretch your hands over your head. Take a deep breath and squeeze your hips and inner thighs. Now, slowly breathe out and start to roll your upper body in the forward direction. Stretch your hands towards your toes until your fingertips cross past your toes. Now, first inhale and then exhale to roll backward.
Bridge Pose
Lie on your back with your knees bended and legs hip width apart. Now, move up your pelvic area, stomach and hips. Bring your hands under the lifted hips and you may press them on ground to get more strength to lift the torso higher. Pause for a few seconds and then slowly move your hands and come back to the starting position.
Single Leg Stretch
Lie down on the floor or on your exercise mat and extend your legs towards the ceiling. Now, move up your upper body from the floor by extending your spine and pulling your abdominal muscles in. hold the ankle of one leg with your hands and stretch the other leg in almost forty five degree angle.
Breathe in and slowly pull the leg towards you. Do it twice and increase the intensity each time. Repeat it with another leg. Recommended repetition is five to seven times.
Some other effective Pilates exercises are double leg stretch, spine stretch, the saw and single leg circle. Do the above mentioned exercises to get fabulous looking toned abs. It is recommended that you should consult a doctor before starting any exercise regime.
