Here’s How To Tone Your Abs & Booty In A Flash– Using A Pilates Ball

By Hilary Sheinbaum

Amanda Kassar might be best known for shaping bodies with her challenging private Pilates reformer classes (just ask — or Google — clients Sofia Richie, Whitney Port, and Marianna Hewitt for reference. We’ll wait). But, booking a 1:1 session isn’t the only way to access this superstar instructor (or her moves).

With clients who love their results (and return for more), it’s no surprise that Kassar is in high demand. Thankfully, though, even if you’re not based in Los Angeles (or a name in Hollywood), you can still reap the benefits of mat-based Pilates with her brainchild CORE CLUB.

With online offerings ranging from fundamental techniques to advanced sequences, 30 min. arms and abs sessions, and so more so much more, CORE CLUB can be completed from anywhere at any time. Traveling? On the go? Have a half-hour to spare while the kids are napping? There’s a class for you.

 

Not only are CORE CLUB’s classes accessible, but they can also easily fit a healthy lifestyle all around. In addition to practicing what she preaches (ahem, teaches), Kassar is a proponent of eating healthy to support her workouts. 

She starts her days with celery juice in the morning, followed by two scrambled eggs. For lunch, she eats Greek yogurt with granola and berries or a salad with protein. For dinner, soup with a side of protein and veggies is on the menu. “I currently follow the Organic Oren meal plan,” says Kassar, who doesn’t eliminate specific foods from her diet.

I’ll eat everything in moderation.

Before exercising, Kassar suggests eating a meal like eggs with spinach or avocado. “Fueling your body with protein and a healthy fat and/or carb is ideal,” she says. After sweating it out, she’ll have protein within 30 minutes: either with a bar or shake or hummus with crudité.

Once you’ve meal-prepped (or planned), now all you need is a Pilates stability ball, and a yoga mat to get your abs and butt into shape. With that, here’s to a tighter tummy and sculpted butt, in no time:

 

Exercise 1: Ball Abs “Around the World”

Using a 9” mini stability ball, this move effectively targets the entire abdominal wall.

1. While sitting on your mat, place the stability ball mid-back with your feet hip-width apart and your knees bent. 
2. Place your hands behind the head to support the neck.
3. In a clockwise motion, circle around the ball. You’ll inhale through the nose as you open up the chest and go around the ball. 
4. As you curl up, you’ll pull your ribs towards each other and exhale your breath. 

Reps: 10 circles in one direction and 10 circles reverse (3 rounds total). 

 

Exercise 2: Ball Abs “Marching into place” 

Using a 9” mini stability ball, this move effectively targets the lower abdominals.

1. While sitting on your mat, place the stability ball mid-back with your feet hip-width apart and your knees bent. 
2. Place your hands behind the head to support the neck. 
3. Curl up so you’re in flexion, holding the abdominals in and pulling your navel to the spine.
4. Inhale through the nose and without moving the upper body, lift your right leg up to a tabletop position on the exhale. 
5. Place your right foot down and lift your left leg to a tabletop position. Focus on the exhale when the knee lifts up to really get into the lower abdominals. 

Reps: 20 leg lifts on each side.

 

Exercise 3: Clam

Using a 9” mini stability ball, this exercise effectively targets the hips, thighs and glutes. 

1. While lying on your left side with your hips and knees stacked and bent, and your heels together — toes apart — lift the top knee toward the ceiling.
2. Lower, and lift with a hold at the top. 
3. Repeat on the other side.

Reps: 20, with 10 pulses at the top (repeat 3x).

 

Exercise 4: Bridge 

Using a 9” mini stability ball, this exercise targets the inner thighs, hamstrings and glutes.

1. While lying on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat hip-width apart, place the ball between your knees.
2. Lift your hips to the ceiling. Your arms will be by your side for support.
3. Focus on squeezing the ball and glutes when you lift your hips up. 
4. Repeat.

Reps: 20, with 10 pulses at the top (repeat 3x).

With these moves, you’ll be pulsing your way into a more toned physique in no time.