1. How does Pilates strengthen abdominal muscles?

Pilates is well known for strengthening your core or abdominal musculature. There are a variety of ways this is accomplished through the practice of the Pilates method. First off Pilates is based on efficiently contracting your abdominal muscles with every exercise in the repertoire therefore when you are performing an upper body exercise on the equipment or on the mat the abdominals will also be contracted improving the endurance of the abdominal muscles. For example, during the seated arm series on the reformer the abdominals must stay contracted to hold the spine stable, upright and in proper alignment to correctly perform the exercise. Throughout a Pilates session or class clients are constantly reminded to “pull in your belly button” or “ engage your powerhouse” to ensure constant contraction of the abdominals.

Secondly Pilates focuses on strengthening the abdominals from the inside-out...