Everywhere you turn, someone’s talking about Pilates—and if it isn’t about tiny pink gym sets, it’s about sculpting deep abdominal muscles. But what’s the one move that’s turning heads, carving strong cores, and keeping your pelvic floor on speaking terms with you? It’s the roll up—and everyone seems to be hooked.
Why Deep Abs Aren’t Just for Show-Offs
Let’s get one thing out of the way: not all ab exercises are your friends. Some, as many have discovered, can actually do more harm than good—especially to an often-overlooked area known as the pelvic floor. When certain moves overload this region, it risks straining or even damaging these delicate muscles. That’s enough to make anyone rethink their next crunch.
The good news? You don’t have to give up on a toned core. If you want to strengthen your abdominals safely and with finesse, Pilates offers just the ticket. Norah, a Pilates coach celebrated on TikTok as @wellnessbynorah, has become the go-to for all things gentle yet effective. In a video posted on January 18, she demonstrates her favorite abdominal move: the iconic roll up.
Meet the Roll Up: Your Core’s New Best Friend
The roll up isn’t just another exercise; it’s a deep dive into muscular reinforcement. According to Norah’s video description, the roll up is excellent for spinal mobility in addition to strengthening the abs from the inside out. The movement is all about control and intention—less gym heroics, more mindful movement (and thankfully, no need for circus-level flexibility).
- Lie down on the floor, arms extended behind your head, legs straight.
- With arms stretched, engage your abdominals and slowly roll your trunk up, until you reach a seated position—arms still long.
- Return to the lying position by unfolding the spine slowly, vertebra by vertebra.
- Once fully lowered, keep your obliques engaged to maintain neutral rib alignment, as the specialist advises.
Take note: This isn’t a race. Norah emphasizes that the roll up should be done slowly. This precise pacing ensures that the abdominal belt—not your hip flexors or momentum—does the heavy lifting. Maximum results, minimum risk.
Props, Mats, and the Pink Tracksuit Parade
If the thought of rolling up from a dead flat position sounds daunting (or if you’re haunted by gym class flashbacks), rest easy. You can use a slanted cushion—like the one Norah uses in her demo video—or stick with the classic mat right on the floor. Either way, you’re in good hands (well, core muscles).
Of course, Pilates isn’t limited to mat work. When it comes to strengthening those deep muscles, few things come close. Yet, Pilates can be practiced on a mat or by using machines that add resistance—think Pilates Reformers, bootcamps, or trendy Lagree fitness sessions. Which version’s best? That, as it turns out, is still up for debate (and perhaps only settled after many, many attempts in both domains).
- If practicing at home, good equipment goes a long way. A foldable Pilates machine lets you recreate classes without a gym membership eating your storage space—or your bank account.
- Trendy outfits exist, of course. The pink-sport-attire brigade is going strong both online and in real life, advocating a healthy lifestyle and sporting their chic gear on every street and studio corner. Our journalist, for the record, isn’t fully on board with the look—and that’s fine!
Pilates: The Discipline with Staying Power
Pilates is hardly a new craze. In fact, a 38-year-old actress interviewed by Stylist magazine on October 9 praised its merits, highlighting just how much this sport—created by a certain Joseph Pilates—has stood the test of time. Devotees say it’s not just about looks: it’s an entryway to daily wellness and fluid movement, inside and out.
To wrap it up, if you’re searching for an effective, safe way to sculpt deep abs even your spine will thank you for, try the roll up. Go slow, stay mindful, consider your equipment—and if the urge for pink track pants strikes, the choice is all yours.
John is a curious mind who loves to write about diverse topics. Passionate about sharing his thoughts and perspectives, he enjoys sparking conversations and encouraging discovery. For him, every subject is an invitation to discuss and learn.
