Crunches, sit-ups, and other popular abdominal exercises are great for toning, but they don’t always hit all the major muscle groups in your core. That’s why adding Wall Pilates to your abdominal routine is a great way to sculpt a ripped six-pack and flat stomach. The right wall Pilates program is designed to use the wall as a form of resistance, helping you build muscle while engaging more muscles than traditional abdominal exercises. To get started with Wall Pilates for abs, read through this guide.
How Do Wall Pilates Work For Abs?
Wall Pilates works by using a wall to create a full-body workout, targeting both your abdominal and back muscles (1). More specifically, it works for ab strengthening in the following ways:
- It strengthens your core muscles and helps you maintain a healthy posture while protecting your spine.
- It increases abdominal strength and stability, which can help you perform more advanced exercises with ease.
- It engages multiple muscle groups at once, so it’s an efficient way to get ripped quickly.
- It improves your posture, which eliminates the hunched over posture that can make ab muscles look flabby.
What Type Of Pilates Is Best For Abs?
When it comes to wall Pilates for abs, the best exercises involve plank variations and core-focused poses. These can be done with or without a wall, but the support of a wall makes them easier to do correctly.
Here are some of the best wall Pilates exercises for abs:
- Wall-Supported Plank: This exercise engages your core and back muscles while keeping your spine straight.
- Knee Drops: This is a great way to tone your abs without putting too much strain on them. It also helps promote balance and stability, which can help you with other ab exercises.
- Side Plank: This is a challenging pose that engages your core and obliques, making it ideal for sculpting your six-pack.
- Wall Squat: This helps strengthen both the inner and outer thighs while targeting the abdominal muscles. It’s also great for improving balance and stability.
Read More: What Is Wall Pilates? A Guide For The Beginner
Tips For Doing Wall Pilates For Abs And Glutes
Here are some handy tips for performing wall Pilates for lower abs effectively:
- Proper Form and Alignment: Make sure your body is in perfect alignment when doing wall Pilates exercises for abs. This will help ensure you’re engaging all the right muscles and not putting too much strain on your spine or other areas of your body.
- Focus on Your Breathing: Always take slow, deep breaths when performing wall Pilates exercises. This will help you stay focused and get the most out of your workout.
- Start Slow: Don’t try to do too much too quickly with wall Pilates for abs. Start out at a low level of intensity and gradually increase your reps as you get stronger.
The Bottom Line: Does Pilates Give You Flat Abs?
Wall Pilates can be an effective way to tone and strengthen your abdominal muscles, but it’s important to note that it won’t give you flat abs on its own. To get ripped abs, you need to combine a healthy diet with regular aerobic exercise and at least a 20-minute wall Pilates. When done correctly and consistently, you’ll be able to see the results you want.
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SOURCES:
- Marked effects of Pilates on the abdominal muscles: a longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging study (2012, nih.gov)