Strong Abdominals with Kathy Grant

In this tutorial, Maria Earle shares some of the abdominal work that Kathy Grant created for her work, Before the Hundred. She tells us what it was like to be in Kathy's studio and how everyone would help each other if they needed assistance in a certain exercise. Maria shows many exercises including the Green Room, Opposites, and "Rotisserie Chicken."

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Frequently Asked Questions:

Can Pilates reduce belly fat?

Pilates strengthens the core, or abdominal, muscles, improves postural awareness, and burns calories. As a result, you can expect your Pilates practice to give you a more streamlined physique and a trimmer mid-section, regardless of the numbers on the scale.

Can you get abs from Pilates?

Pilates works the deepest layer of abdominal muscles, the rectus abdominis. These muscles act like a corset around the midsection, helping to improve posture, protect your back from injury, and provide space and support for the internal organs. In Pilates, we aim to create a long, strong, and elegant physique through improved posture and efficient movement. We don't create muscles just for show (like the famous "six-pack").

Is 20 minutes of Pilates a day enough?

It depends on your fitness and lifestyle goals. If Pilates is part of a varied fitness program, together with walking, running, cycling, or other aerobic activities, 20 minutes a day is enough to keep your core strong and your limbs and spine flexible. If Pilates is your main form of exercise, 20 minutes a day should help you feel more mobile, taller, and aware of your posture.

Is Pilates better than an ab workout?

Abdominal exercises like sit-ups and curls target the "six-pack" or rectus abdominis, the top layer of the abdominal muscles. Pilates is not just an ab workout; it's a full-body workout that also creates a strong core. It is widely known for producing strong abdominal muscles and a streamlined physique because all of the exercises start with core activation. This results in a uniquely efficient, safe, and effective form of exercise.

What do Pilates ab exercises do?

Pilates challenges the muscles of the core or "powerhouse" the abdominal muscles but also the muscles of the lower and middle back and the glutes. These are the muscles that stabilize us when we move, whether we are playing professional sports or just pulling groceries out of the trunk. Pilates focuses on safe, efficient movement done correctly, so that no part of the body is over- or under-trained. This includes the abs. Pilates works the deepest layer of the abs, not just the surface layer.

Does Pilates strengthen your core?

Pilates is the original core strengthening exercise, and the method that popularized the importance of core strength. Joseph Pilates, the creator of the method, was a boxer and athlete who understood that a strong core is necessary to move well and avoid injury. Pilates is different from other types of core exercises because the entire Pilates repertoire of Mat and equipment exercises involve the core muscles. Doing Pilates will give you a strong and supple core, but at the same time you will also strengthen, tone, and elongate your other muscles, resulting in a balanced and efficient body.