If you're looking to slim your waist instead of just strengthening your abdominals, Pilates-based ab workouts may be just what you need. Pilates focuses on muscle control and slow movements, which work your abs in a way traditional crunch workouts do not. Pilates ab workouts can be difficult at first, but the workouts become easier with time and practice.
Ball Rolls
Ball rolls will work your entire core and make you feel young again. Sit up with your knees bent and ankles tucked in so they are touching your buttocks. Next, wrap your arms around your legs and tuck your head into your knees. Lean back until you're resting your weight on your tailbone. Roll back until your shoulder blades hit the ground and roll back up. Be sure not to hit your neck on the roll back and to keep your balance, as you don't want to roll to far forward either. Repeat five times.
The Hundred
The hundred is a deceptively simple workout that is great for not only flattening your abs, but slimming your waist as well. Start by lying flat on your back and bring your knees into your chest. Then, raise your neck and shoulder blades off of the ground with your arms straight out by your sides parallel to the floor. Raise your legs in the air and then pump your arms toward the ground in rapid succession 10 times. Exhale on each pump. Return to the starting position and repeat 10 times for a total of 100 pumps.
The Roll Up
The roll up will help lengthen your abdominal muscles, which will give you a longer, leaner look overall. Begin the roll up by sitting with your legs out in front of you and your arms at your side. Next, roll your body down, making sure each vertebra touches the floor until you are laying flat on your back, with your arms resting above your head on the floor. Then roll your body up, vertebra by vertebra, until you're back in the starting position. Make sure you keep your feet flat on the ground throughout the workout. Repeat five to 10 times.
The Teaser
The teaser is an advanced Pilates abs workout that works the entire core. Lie on your back with your legs straight our in front of you and your arms lying on the floor above your head. Raise your legs off the ground so they are pointing in the air as you raise your torso off the ground with your hands pointing at your toes. Finally, roll your body back to the ground with each vertebra touching the floor as you roll back to the starting position. Repeat exercise five times.
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