- Denise Austin, 69, demonstrated a three-move Pilates workout on Instagram.
- ”Just a few focused moves like these can help improve your posture, balance, and overall strength,” she says.
- Here’s how to do each exercise at home.
When we want to spice up our fitness routines with some new moves, we always look to Denise Austin for inspiration. The fitness pro is known for sharing quick and easy fitness hacks with her followers, from simple moves to tone arms to her key to staying fit. Most recently, the 69-year-old took to Instagram to share a Pilates-inspired workout for core strength.
“These 3 Pilates moves are wonderful for strengthening your entire core…really working ALL those abdominal muscles from every angle,” Austin captioned her Instagram post. “I love Pilates because it helps you feel strong, centered, and supported from the inside out. Just a few focused moves like these can help improve your posture, balance, and overall strength.”
If you want to try the workout at home, we’ve got the details on each move below. All you need is a yoga mat, no props required.
Single side leg lift
Austin begins in a modified side plank position, with the knee of her bottom leg resting on the mat. “Hold your legs strong and straight…Point your toe, reach straight out,” she demonstrates, lifting her top outstretched leg off the mat and lowering it back down with control. “You’re working the entire abdominals, the core muscles, plus your legs.”
Austin recommends doing 10 reps on each leg.
Side crunches
Continuing from the same modified side plank position, Austin reaches her top arm overhead before bending her elbow and top knee toward each other simultaneously, then returning to the stretched out position. “Pull your belly button in and really breathe, inhale and exhale,” she explains.
Again, Austin suggests 10 crunches on each side.
Double leg stretch
Repositioning herself to lie on her back, Austin finishes the routine with a classic Pilates move, the double leg stretch. She curls up into a ball, lifting her head, neck, and shoulders while curling her knees toward her chest.
“Tuck it in and reach it out,” she demonstrates, stretching her arms and legs out straight at a 45-degree angle while keeping her head, neck, and shoulders lifted before circling her arms around to catch her knees again. “Tone and tighten up through the abs,” she explains. “Do 10 of these.”
As a Pilates lover myself, I can’t wait to incorporate these moves into my routine. Try them individually or do the set all together next time you’re looking for an effective core workout.
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