You don't need sit-ups to strengthen your abs — try this 20-minute bodyweight workout instead

Pilates can be a great way to build a stronger core. Many of the movements require a strong midsection to maintain your form, and working your core muscles in this way can help strengthen them while improving your balance, posture, and coordination.

So, if you're bored of your usual sit-up-filled ab workouts, we highly recommend adding a Pilates session into your schedule for a fun alternative. If you're wondering where to start, our Pilates plan for beginners (opens in new tab) is a great way to learn about this form of exercise. 

Or, you could get stuck straight in with this 20-minute routine from certified Pilates and yoga instructor Nicole McPherson (opens in new tab) that will engage your entire core using a series of movement patterns that target different abdominal muscles.

Maintaining good form is particularly important during Pilates, as the tiniest tweaks to your body's positioning can make the movements feel more challenging and increase the benefits of the exercise. 

Whether you're new to the practice or could use a refresher, it's worth following along with McPherson's demonstrations to get the technique right and perfect your form to get the most from your training. 

Watch Move With Nicole's Pilates core session

This workout incorporates a Pilates ball — a fairly small ball made from rubber so it's easy to grip. During certain movements, the ball can help to support you and encourage good form. 

Pilates balls can increase the difficulty of certain abdominal exercises, as resting on them requires more balance and core stability than resting your hands on the floor. If you don't have one, you could replace it with another ball or forgo it altogether.

Think about your mind-muscle connection (opens in new tab) during this workout, squeezing your core muscles to ensure they’re fully engaged. And remember, when it comes to Pilates, you’ll usually get more out of keeping your movements precise and controlled as this puts the muscles under more tension.

We’d recommend doing a Pilates session like this one once or twice a week, alongside strength workouts like this 20-minute full body session (opens in new tab). This is because Pilates improves your balance and stability, which will benefit your strength training. Plus, Pilates exercises often focus on boosting your mobility, helping lower your risk of injury.

Ready to get started with at-home Pilates? Check out our guide to the best yoga mats (opens in new tab), which will make your sessions much more comfortable and enjoyable.