A 10-Minute Pilates Workout That Targets Your Legs & Deep Core

I've put together some of my favorite Pilates movements that I teach to students in my obé fitness classes. Each exercise is fantastic for building muscle tone and stability—especially in your core—and it works wonders when you put them all together. Try this Pilates workout at home to engage your entire body and get stronger through and through.

How to: Start lying on your back. Bend your knees into chest, and give yourself a hug. Curl your torso up to the tips of your shoulder blades, bringing your forehead toward your knees. Send legs into tabletop position (knees tracking over hip points, shins parallel to the floor). Extend strong straight arms down by your side, palms facing the mat. Start vigorously pumping your arms while you inhale for 5 counts, and exhale for 5 counts. That's one breath. Complete 10 deep breaths altogether to make the "hundred."

How to: Start lying on your back. Zip your legs together so they feel like one giant leg and flex through all 10 toes. Lift two strong straight arms up to the ceiling. Take a giant inhale, peel the head through your arms, and roll up to sit. Exhale and reach forward staying low to your legs, taking care not to collapse over the ribs. Take another inhale as you start rounding your body back to the floor. Exhale and articulate the spine, one bone at a time, into the mat. Keep your legs zipped together and heels reaching forward the entire time. Keep your core engaged the entire time to help pull you up. That's one rep. Complete 5 to 8 reps.

How to: Start lying on your back. Bend your knees into your chest and curl your torso up to the tips of your shoulder blades. Extend two strong, straight legs up toward the ceiling, and flex through all 10 toes. Grab behind the right leg with both hands, and walk the hands up toward the ankle, only going up as high as you can keep your legs straight. Double-check that your hips are square and elbows are wide. Pulse the leg toward you two times. Scissor switch and do the same on the left. That's one rep. Complete 8 to 10 reps. 

Extra challenge: Spice it up by doing it with no hands. 

Extra challenge: Spice it up with tiny pulses at the top after completing all your reps.

Then, flutter both your arms and legs for 10 to 20 counts.