If you’re over crunches and cardio but still want to target stubborn belly fat, Pilates might be the low-impact, high-reward solution you’ve been searching for. Known for its focus on core strength, posture, and flexibility, Pilates offers a gentler approach that can still deliver major results — especially for women over 40 who may be dealing with hormonal shifts or slower metabolism. To learn more, we spoke with Jacqueline Hinton, a licensed Pilates instructor and owner of Good Body Pilates Studio who broke down the best exercises to help reduce abdominal fat, tighten your core, and improve your overall strength from the inside out.
1. Plank with a twist
If you really want to strengthen your abs and burn that belly fat, it doesn’t get much better than a good old plank. This infamous exercise is a classic for a reason; there’s no denying it can really bring the burn. And that’s why Hinton dubs it as one of the best fat-burning Pilates moves out there. She even recommends adding a twist.
Here are her instructions:
1. Balance on your forearms and have a steady base with your legs reaching straight behind you, hips lifted off the ground with your body in a straight line.
2. Hold this pose for up to one minute while twisting your hips right and left. Focus on engaging the muscles in your core.
3. Rest for one minute. Repeat three times.
2. Teasers with a twist
The teaser is a great full-body exercise that works your ab muscles, your spinal extensors, and your hip flexors. Hinton says that adding a twist is one great way to tone your abs and your core.
She tells us how it’s done with this modification:
1. Lie on your back with your legs straight and squeezed together.
2. Extend your arms out into a ‘T’ position on the floor.
3. Lift the head off the floor looking towards your toes.
4. Sweep your arms into your hips as you roll all the way up, lifting your upper body and lower body into a V position, balancing on your tailbone.
5. Twist your torso to the right then come back to the center.
6. Scoop the stomach in to peel back down to the start position.
7. Repeat ten times.
The bottom line
At the end of the day, losing weight will require many moving parts, from a balanced diet to a range of other healthy habits. However, ample exercise is one crucial component to consider, and if you’re looking for stronger abs and a flatter belly, it doesn’t get much better than these simple Pilates moves.