No crunches needed: tighten your core with 30 minutes of Pilates

Trainer Heather Robertson outlines a 30-minute Pilates routine using light dumbbells (or filled water bottles) that targets the core and the whole body through two circuits; each exercise is performed for 45 seconds with 15 seconds rest and each circuit is repeated three times.

The New Year brings many people renewed fitness goals, and a strong core is highlighted as a foundation for improved performance and easier everyday movement. Trainer Heather Robertson offers a 30-minute Pilates routine designed to engage the core while strengthening the whole body. The workout is intended to be done with a yoga mat and very light dumbbells, with two filled water bottles suggested as an alternative. It is organised into two circuits and uses timed intervals to emphasise quality of movement over counting repetitions. Key details: - The routine is 30 minutes long and guided by trainer Heather Robertson. - It consists of two circuits, and each circuit is completed three times. - Exercises are performed for 45 seconds each, with 15 seconds of rest between moves. - Some exercises are unilateral and work one side of the body at a time. - Equipment suggested includes a mat and very light dumbbells, or two filled water bottles as a substitute. - The article reports that Pilates targets both large muscles and smaller stabilizers to promote balanced strength and improved muscular endurance. Summary: The article presents the routine as a full-body Pilates session that prioritises core engagement, coordinated movement, and muscular endurance. It notes that timing each exercise rather than counting reps helps keep the workout accessible while encouraging attention to form and steady breathing. Undetermined at this time.