Last updated on April 27th, 2025 at 12:42 pm
If you are bored with crunches as well as sit-ups that hurt your neck and do not give the results you expect, switching to Pilates will probably be your best decision for the month. This is precisely what I did– I gave up my normal ab exercises for a 30-minute pilates core workout class and in a week I realized very visible growth in my core strength and posture.
The Pilates workout that I chose was the one on the Move With Nicole YouTube channel. Nicole McPherson, a yoga and Pilates teacher, and exercise specialist, calmly and clearly guides the session which makes the workout ideal for all beginners and those that want only low-impact exercises, yet they are still effective core training. Also, you don’t need much space or any fancy gym equipment. Light dumbbells (2-4 lbs) could intensify the workout, but bodyweight is enough too.
A yoga mat and 30 minutes of your time are what you need to get started. Nicole provides a series of full-body Pilates moves that mostly focus on core activation. The session appears slow but it’s not, it is rather a deceiving burn one that gets even more intense as the repetitions go on and your body becomes weak.
The main difference that makes a Pilates core workout stand out in comparison to traditional ab training is the one on controlled movement and breathing techniques. Nicole provides motivation to work on your deep core throughout the session, and she gives you exercises easy to do if you want to challenge yourself more. You won’t hear any beeping timer or loud-paced circuits, but rather slim and elegant transitions that will create endurance and muscle tone, and a lot of stability for your stomach area.
That is what I also experienced after doing the same routine for 7 days. My abs felt sore — not the usual top-layer soreness that indicates the crunches worked, but a soreness deep in the postural and functional muscles. I was even able to notice the muscles that I didn’t realize were active for quite some time through the simple action of sitting straight or laughter.
The Pilates flow of this type can also be highly beneficial to those who have a sedentary job or those who have postural problems and weak core, as it corrects the latter and makes them stronger through the stabilizing muscles. The training is not just for improving aesthetics, it is more of functional strength which is the workout’s core benefit, plus it also provides the mobility to be on the move and the ease of living everyday.
If any of the readers are not very much interested in the high-intensity workout, please allow me to present to you the best solution which is a Pilates workout, it is so relaxing that it feels like a massage. This workout is gentle on the joints but it is not for the faint-hearted. I was impressed by the way Nicole’s vocal instructions helped me concentrate on my form, without making mistakes such as overextending the back or using too much force in the movement.
Within just a few sections, I have already gained strength in my trunk, sensed changes in my body movement, and got revitalized in the entire day. And for those who think whether a 30-minute bodyweight Pilates workout can develop physical strength, the next day they can repeat the laughing test and notice the difference, believe me.
Thus, the 30-minute Pilates core workout is the answer if you want to strengthen your abs, relieve the pain in your lower back, or are just interested in something different. It is definitely a habit that I will keep as a part of my practice — your abs would surely thank you too.
