I Did This Celeb Workout for 30 Days & My Abs Have Never Been Tighter
Ah, Pilates. A-list celebs like Kylie and Kendall Jenner, Kate Hudson, Hailey Bieber, Kerry Washington, and Rita Ora swear by it—and for good reason. This form of training provides a stellar low-impact workout your entire body can benefit from. Reformer Pilates may seem intimidating to those who haven't tried it before, but rest assured, you'll get used to it in no time—just as I did. I did Pilates for 30 days and here's how the exercise transformed my body.
(Spoiler alert: My abs have never been tighter!)
Why Celebrities Love Pilates
What makes Pilates a tried-and-true, celeb-approved workout? Well, it's chock-full of benefits.
Pilates can be performed entirely on a mat, the reformer, or the "Cadillac," which is an impressive piece of equipment that's reminiscent of a canopy bed frame. The Cadillac is also referred to as a "Trapeze Table." Pilates fires up and trains the core, legs, and arms to build strength and muscle.
Celebs can't get enough of it. Actress Tabitha Brown wrote in a January 2023 Instagram post after taking a Pilates class, "Anybody else take 1 fitness class and have a whole body transformation after or just me."
Cristiano Rinaldo is another fan of the workout. In a 2016 Instagram video, he wrote, "I love this exercise."
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I Used to Dread Working Out—Then I Tried Pilates
I live and breathe all things health, fitness, and wellness. That said, I find it challenging motivating myself to work out during the week other than taking a regular brisk walk or jog. I end up making excuses and putting exercise off until "tomorrow"—which, in reality, turns into "next week"… and the cycle continues. I attribute that to not finding the right workout fit for me—that is, until I tried Pilates.
After my first introductory session at Club Pilates, it's safe to say I was hooked. I found myself actually looking forward to getting ready, leaving the house, and going to class. It added a sense of structure and commitment to my weekly routine.
And consistency pays off!
"Anyone [who] participates in other forms of exercise that is consistently performing Pilates will experience a significant improvement in their performance in other activities, whether it be running, lifting, tennis, spartan raises, power lifting, being a mom/dad, grandparent, etc.," explains Dr. Femi Betiku, PT, DPT, CSCS, NCPT, with Club Pilates Southern Westchester.
In addition, the variety of exercises, pieces of equipment (like the Pilates ring, also known as the "magic circle," which is used to add tension and resistance to the movements), and seamlessly moving from the reformer to the mat to the springs board always kept me engaged.
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How Pilates Challenged Me And Transformed My Body
It Put My Core Strength to the Test
Pilates is all about training the core to improve flexibility and strength. Kate Hudson emphasized this in a TikTok clip, writing, "It's all about that core baby!"
Going into my 30-day Pilates challenge, I knew my core needed a lot of work in the "strength" department. Each Pilates class I attended kicked off with ab training—exercises like the Pilates Hundred and criss-cross—and my core was on total fire.
Essentially every movement in Pilates requires you to maintain a strong, stable core. In fact, according to Dr. Betiku, "Pilates is the only form of exercise that taps into the deep core muscles in each region of one's body utilizing the various settings the reformer/chair."
Many classic ab workouts only utilize one's body weight and equipment like the medicine ball. "[This] usually activates the bigger core muscles which are essential, but aren't as important as the smaller more intrinsic muscle groups," Dr. Betiku adds.
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It Improved My Stamina
Pilates challenged my stamina in new ways; I pushed through virtually every exercise set and rep without giving up early or "cheating," as I've done in many other workout classes (while hoping the instructor wouldn't take notice). Even when my core began to shake, I powered through the best I could because I wanted to make the most of each class.
The results? By the end of my 30-day journey, I felt much stronger and tighter in my abs and legs. I found myself standing up straighter, too. My arms are another body part I'd like to work on further, and I'm looking forward to it. (Oh, the greatness of finding an exercise niche you enjoy doing!)
It Stretched Me Out
Something else that I need a lot more of in my life? Stretching.
I love that Pilates combines strength and stretching, offering a truly well-rounded workout. After moving through exercises like glute bridges, rows, and tricep extensions, I looked forward to putting my feet in the straps and stretching out my legs. (That may just be my favorite part of the class!)
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It Helped Me Focus On My Breathing
I'm rarely mindful of breathing properly when exercising. Pilates taught me how to sync up my breath with each movement, providing a meditative approach to fitness.
"One of the best results of utilizing the breath with a movement is that you give your muscles a chance to be properly oxygenated during exercise so that they can last longer and work more efficiently during a movement," Dr. Betiku tells us. "Also, the various breath work done in a class can significantly result in improvements in one's cardiovascular—pulmonary system."
Should You Try Pilates?
Pilates is "one of the only forms of exercise" that everyone can perform safely and experience physical and mental health benefits, says Dr. Betiku.
So take my advice and find a local Pilates studio, try an introductory class, and sign up for a membership! "It takes three months for someone to see lasting changes in their body when starting a new thing in regards to their health," Dr. Betiku adds.
