The Ab-Sculpting, Leg-Strengthening (Equipment-Free!) Pilates Move Kate Hudson Swears By
Kate Hudson's secret behind her abs really isn't a secret at all: The Fabletics co-founder has been doing Pilates with her trainer Nicole Stuart for nearly two decades—so, yeah, you could say she's kind of a pro at this point. But of all the exercises she does on the regular, the actress swears by one in particular for great results—and you don't even need a machine (or any equipment at all, for that matter) to do it.
In a recent Instagram post, Hudson let her followers go behind the scenes at one of her training sessions. While she showed a few different exercises using equipment, you can do one of her faves—scissors—using nothing but your own bodyweight.
"Pilates scissors are great for targeting all of the abdominals for stability, and for strengthening and stretching the legs and hips," Pilates and movement specialist and Studio 26 founder Jared Kaplan told Self. "Think of the legs as your own built-in weights to challenge core stability."
"Pilates scissors are great for targeting all of the abdominals for stability, and for strengthening and stretching the legs and hips. Think of the legs as your own built-in weights to challenge core stability." —Jared Kaplan
Want to try the move for yourself? Just lie down, make sure your shoulders are lifted off the floor, and scissor your straight legs up and down, lightly pulling each calf toward you as you switch. To take things up a notch, try pulsing your upper leg twice into your body. You may end up with Hudson-esque abs and legs sooner than you think.
Check out Kate Hudson's guide to a workout for every mood. Or, find out how she gets her infrared sauna fix on the go.
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