I swapped sit-ups and crunches for the Pilates plank tuck — and my core strength has never been better

Since I started a regular Pilates routine at my local studio, my core strength has never been better. And for once in my life, after years of throwing heavy weights around, I can also see improvements in my posture.

One move I credit with building bulletproof core muscles is the Pilates knee tuck, or Pilates plank tuck, depending on who you ask. It can be done on the reformer machine, or if you don’t have one, using sliders or a towel. Basically, anything that allows you to draw your feet toward your hands from a plank position.

I will never promote an exercise unless I feel it’s worth it, and this one is certainly worth a place in any core routine, regardless of whether you do Pilates or your core muscles are strong already. Those pesky "Pilates girlies" are onto something, damn it.

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