Forget crunches, sit-ups, or Russian twists — these 6 Pilates-inspired exercises strengthen your core without weights

A photo of a woman with strong abs.

Pilates is the workout on everyone’s lips these days. Specifically, reformer Pilates, which is performed on a sliding carriage fitted with a footbar, various springs and pulleys.

The idea behind reformer Pilates, invented by Joseph Pilates in the 1920s, is to improve posture, strength and flexibility with small, controlled, repetitive movements. Both mat Pilates and reformer Pilates place heavy emphasis on working the core muscles known as “the powerhouse.”