9 Classic Pilates Moves You Should Try Right Now

Pilates is a great way to stay fit - it helps build up your core, corrects your posture, and improves flexibility all at the same time.Pilates was created by Joseph Pilates back in the early 1900s and it has become an exercise option that people of all ages and fitness levels can enjoy. An appealing aspect of Pilates is how its low-impact, yet invigorating movements can be tailored according to a person's needs.

Here are 9 classic Pilates moves that you should try right now

1. The Hundred: Lie on your back and bend your knees with your feet flat on the floor. This will move help you build up core strength. When you're lying on the mat, lift your head and shoulders up and stretch your arms in front of you. Start doing arm pumps, making sure to keep your core muscles tight. Try and reach 100 pumps if you can.

2. The Roll Up: This one targets your abdominal muscles and improves flexibility in your spine. Lie on your back with your knees bent and make sure your feet flat on the floor. Reach your arms towards the ceiling and lift your head and shoulders off the mat. Slowly peel your spine off the mat, one vertebra at a time, until you are sitting up straight. Lower yourself back down, one vertebra at a time.

    

3. The Single Leg Circle: Use this move to strengthen your legs and improves flexibility in your hips. Lie on your back with your legs extended. Lift one leg off the mat and circle it in the air. YOu should feel it in your abdominal muscles. After several circles, switch legs and do it again.

    

4. The Double Leg Stretch: This exercise strengthens your abs and helps to loosen up your hips. Just lie down on your back, bend your knees and plant both feet flat on the ground. Tuck your knees in and lift your head & shoulders away from the mat. Reach out for your knees, then stretch out straight and reach towards your toes. Pull back in again and repeat.

    

5. The Roll Over: Lying on your back with arms by your sides and legs extended will help improve flexibility in the spine and strengthen your abs. Come up onto your shoulders and bring your knees close to you. Then roll back onto your mat, one vertebra at a time until you reach the starting position.

    

6. The Saw: Sit on the floor with your legs stretched out and feet touching each. This one will help increase flexibility in your spine and strengthen your abs. Stretch your arms out toward your toes, then twist your body to the side of your right leg. Grab your left foot with one hand and the right foot with the other. Reverse and do it again.

    

7. The Scissors: This move targets your abdominal muscles and improves flexibility in your hips. Lie on your back with your legs extended. Lift one leg off the mat and bring it towards your chest, then extend it back out straight. Switch legs and repeat.

    

8. The Teaser: Here's a more challenging, full-body exercise that improves flexibility in your spine and strengthens your core. Lie on your back with your legs extended and keep your arms by your sides. Lift your head and shoulders off the mat while bringing your knees towards your chest. Now, roll over onto your shoulders. Then lift your legs and arms off the mat. Hold for a moment if you can, and then lower yourself back down. But do it slowly, one vertebra at a time.

    

9. The Swan: Boost your upper body strength and flexibility in your spine with this exercise. Start by laying on your tummy with your arms at your sides. Lift up both head & shoulders, then chest & legs from the floor. Hold for a few seconds, then lower back to starting position.