How to Tone the Stomach With Pilates

Because its primary focus is strengthening the core muscles of the body, especially the abdominal muscles, Pilates is an excellent exercise routine to use to tone the stomach. Pilates also helps to improve flexibility and posture. There are a few Pilates exercises to practice regularly if your goal is to tone your stomach while helping to balance your mind and body.

Instructions

1. Focus on the quality of each movement in your Pilates exercise routine rather than the number of repetitions. Pilates is based on concentration and relies on the coordination of your breath with each body movement. A typical Pilates exercise routine will include a small number of repetitions to ensure that you complete each exercise with a high level of intensity without becoming too tired to finish each set.

2. Perform a Pilates "roll up" by lying down on your back and keeping your legs as straight and flat to the ground as possible. Stretch your arms out above your head and slowly roll your torso forward allowing your back to lift slowly off the ground. Focus on keeping your stomach muscles tight, breathing out as you slowly roll back down. Repeat this motion at least five times before stopping to rest.

3. Tone your stomach using straight-legged stretches by lying flat on the floor on your back with your legs extended. Place your hands behind your head and slowly lift your upper torso as you lift your legs up, pointing them straight up in the air, then bringing them back down until they are a few inches from the floor. Hold this position and then repeat this motion ten times.

4. Complete a set of individual straight-legged stretches, doing five repetitions for each of your legs while lying with your back flat on the floor. Extend one leg straight and parallel to the floor while bringing the other leg in towards your chest and bending your knee slightly. Hold this position for a few seconds, exhaling as you release and then switching to your other leg.

5. Practice leg circles by lying on your back with your arms resting at your sides. Concentrate on tightening your abdominal muscles as you lift one leg straight up towards the ceiling, point your toe up and rotate your leg in a clockwise motion. Repeat this motion five times for each of your legs.

Tips & Warnings

• You should also practice Pilates if your goal is to tone your entire body, not just one specific problem area. This type of exercise is designed to make your entire body lean, not just your stomach or any other particular area of your body.