Fitness

Four at-home ab exercises from a personal trainer to fire up your core

Published

1 year ago

October 19, 2024

Four at-home ab exercises from a personal trainer to fire up your core

THAT dusty old exercise ball that’s been lingering around your living room floor or in the corner of your gym is actually a pretty useful piece of kit.

In fact, if it’s been a while since you used it, aside from as a spare seat when needed, it’s time to put it to good use.

Personal trainer and health coach Chloe ThomasCredit: Supplied

The fitness expert says you can get a full ab workout using an exercise ball at homeCredit: Chloe Inspires

Also known as Swiss balls, physio balls or stability balls, they can put your balance to the test.

And when used correctly, they can help fire up your core muscles.

Fancy working your abs using just a stability ball?

Chloe Thomas, a personal trainer, women’s health and mindset coach, and founder of online coaching platform Chloe Inspires, has shared four of her favourite core exercises which can be done at home or in the gym using just an exercise ball.

CHECK OUT MORE AB WORKOUTS

You’ll need to engage your core throughout each of the exercises to really reap the full benefits of these moves.

Not sure how to do this?

Firstly, exhale and relax your entire belly area.

Then, slowly inhale and pull your belly button towards your spine, feeling your stomach muscles tighten.

Essentially, if someone was about to punch your stomach, you’d suddenly engage your core; that’s the feeling you’re going for.

Before you start your stability ball ab workout, Chloe recommends doing a five-minute warm up, to help prevent you getting injured.

PT reveals quick at-home Pilates workout to strengthen your core and blast your lower abs

“Do each exercise for 30 seconds and then rest for 20 seconds and move to the next exercise,” says Chloe.

“Aim to do three to four rounds of the whole circuit.

“I would recommend doing this workout three times a week maximum as you need to let the muscles rest, recover and grow.

“Each time you workout aim to increase time or reps on each exercise so you are progressively overloading.”

Chloe does stress, however, that this workout will not get rid of belly fat.

“No workout alone can do that; that comes from diet,” she adds.

“But this workout will build ab muscles, so when you lose belly fat, you have a toned and defined stomach.”

If you really want to feel the ab burn, avoid resting between each exercise, and instead, go straight from one move into the next.

Now, grab your ball, and get going.

1. Plank

Chloe demonstrating a plank using the stability ballCredit: Chloe Inspires

For this exercise, kneel in front of your ball, with your shins up against it.

Then, place your hands on the ground, making sure your arms are straight from your shoulders down to your wrists.

Now, push yourself up so that the tops of your feet are on the ball and your body is in a straight line.

Keep your core tight and make sure your shoulders stay directly above your wrists. Look slightly forward.

“Make sure your hips do not dip and do not over-arch your back,” advises Chloe.

2. Plank to crunch

Next, bring your knees to your chest for a crunchCredit: Chloe Inspires

Get back into the plank position you were in for the first exercise with the tops of your feet on the ball and hands on the floor, directly under your shoulders.

Next, engage your core and bring your feet in, moving the ball closer to your body and crunching your feet to your chest.

“Keep your core tight and bring your feet in as far as you can, then extend back out,” adds Chloe.

3. Ball pass

Then pass the ball between your feet and your handsCredit: Chloe Inspires

Get out of your plank position for this exercise.

Lie on the ground or on a mat and bring your feet up into the air.

As you do this, make sure your back is engaged with the mat and avoid overextending your back.

Next, place the ball between your feet, then extend your legs out and reach your arms out straight over your head.

Crunch your legs in and then pass the ball from your feet to your hands.

Then, extend the ball over your head with your arms and lengthen your legs and feet back out.

Keep repeating this, swapping the ball between your feet and your hands.

Move slowly through the exercise, keeping your core tight and making sure you don’t arch your back.

4. Ball crunch

Then, with the ball between your feet, crunch upwardsCredit: Chloe Inspires

Lie on your mat again or the floor and bring your feet up into the air.

Place the ball between your feet before straightening your legs upwards.

Place your arms straight above your head and crunch up to the ball.

Tap it lightly. Then, lower yourself down and repeat.

Why can’t I see my abs?

IF you can’t see your abs muscles, it’s probably because there’s a layer of fat lying on top of them.

But, there are things you can do to burn fat.

Firstly, personal trainer Chloe Thomas suggests putting yourself into a calorie deficit.

“To do this you would need to start eating slightly less than you are burning and move your body more,” she says.

“Calorie intake depends on height, weight, age, activity levels, muscle mass and gender – so every person will need a different amount of calories to lose body fat.

“To speed up results I would also recommend cutting out alcohol as this slow results and can contribute to belly fat.”

Chloe also recommends sticking mainly to whole foods and foods that are minimally processed.

“The best foods for reducing belly fat are lean proteins like chicken, fish, and eggs, which support muscle building and metabolism,” she adds.

“You also want to eat fibre-rich whole grains, vegetables and fruits.

“Aim to have healthy fats like avocados, nuts, some fish and olive oil which help to regulate your blood sugars and reduce cravings.”

Manage your stress levels too.

“Cortisol is a hormone that is released when we are stressed and high cortisol can lead to increased belly fat,” she says.

Click to comment

Fitness

Physical Fitness Movies and Shows to Keep You Motivated Toward Your Goals

Published

3 hours ago

January 9, 2026

Press Room

Physical Fitness Movies and Shows to Keep You Motivated Toward Your Goals

The New Year is a time when many of us feel motivated to think more about our physical fitness. Lift heavier weights. Run longer distances. Shave a few seconds off that mile time. Whether you’re looking to hit a new PB or simply incorporate more movement into your daily routine, it’s easier to reach your goals if you surround yourself with positive affirmations about staying consistent and practicing discipline.

Lock in by watching these movies and shows that celebrate a good sweat session. You can stream these titles while climbing the Stairmaster, foam rolling after the gym, or enjoying a well-deserved rest day in a cozy, horizontal position. After all, visualization is one way to gear up to get moving — and it can be done from the comfort of your couch.

Final Draft

It’s never too late to restart a fitness journey. This Japanese series gathers together twenty-five former professional athletes — some of whom had no choice but to walk away from their respective sports, and others who retired on their own terms. They take part in a high-stakes survival competition, and the winner is awarded 30 million yen to kick-start their second-chance career. Among the participants: baseball legend Yoshio Itoi, soccer icon Yoshito Ōkubo, and three-division boxing world champion Hozumi Hasegawa.

Lorena, Light-Footed Woman

The sport of running is hard enough, but tackling a long-distance race without some good sneakers is a whole new kind of challenge. This short documentary introduces Lorena Ramírez, the member of Mexico’s Rarámuri community who earned the world’s attention in 2017 by competing in the Cerro Rojo UltraTrail, an ultramarathon of over 30 miles. She did so while wearing huaraches — traditional Mexican sandals — as well as her trademark long skirt and other customary indigenous garb.

The Other Shore: The Diana Nyad Story

Diana Nyad first gained acclaim in 1975 for swimming around Manhattan in record time. This documentary follows the long-distance swimmer as she pursues a perilous goal — swimming from Cuba to Florida without the use of a protective shark cage — a journey she attempts repeatedly, up until the age of 63. Afterward, queue up Nyad, the dramatic take starring Annette Bening as the athlete and Jodie Foster as her best friend and trainer, Bonnie Stoll.

Physical: 100

This search for the ultimate physique in Korea caught the attention of fitness lovers worldwide — for good reason. In this unique tournament, 100 athletes, bodybuilders, and military professionals take part in daunting challenges that test raw strength, speed, endurance, and technique. They face off in various trials until there’s only one competitor left standing. Want even more rivalry? Queue up Physical: Asia, the continent-wide spin-off in which athletes compete in teams representing their countries of origin.

SPRINT

This docuseries closely follows the world’s fastest athletes as they ready their bodies, minds, and spirits to compete in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Created by the same team behind Formula 1: Drive to Survive, these episodes zoom in on American sprinters Gabby Thomas, Noah Lyles, Fred Kerley, Twanisha ‘TeeTee’ Terry, Kenny Bednarek, and Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, as well as runners from the UK, Ivory Coast, Italy, Jamaica, and Kenya. Watching these elite runners prove what the human body is capable of is apt inspiration for athletes at any level.

Tour de France: Unchained

Go behind the scenes of the world’s most thrilling race on two wheels: the Tour de France, the famed road cycling competition that spans approximately 2,200 miles over a period of three weeks. In each of its three seasons, the series embeds with multiple teams as they race while dealing with terrain, injury, and other setbacks. These episodes track the annual men’s competition in 2022, 2023, and 2024.

Ultimate Beastmaster

After countless hours of training, contestants take on the supersized obstacle course called “The Beast.” Produced by and featuring Sylvester Stallone, the international competition made history when it debuted with six localized versions in various countries, all featuring different competitors, hosts, and languages of origin. (The U.S. edition is hosted by Terry Crews and Charissa Thompson.) Also available to stream: Ultimate Beastmaster Mexico, hosted by Inés Sainz and Luis Ernesto Franco.

Fitness

Brazilian jiu-jitsu helped me find joy in movement again—here are three of my favorite solo moves you can do at home

Published

15 hours ago

January 9, 2026

Press Room

Brazilian jiu-jitsu helped me find joy in movement again—here are three of my favorite solo moves you can do at home

If you’re looking for a way to move your body that builds strength, boosts your mobility and improves your mental agility, you need to try Brazilian jiu-jitsu (also known as BJJ).

Many people assume martial arts aren’t for them. I certainly never thought it was something I would enjoy. Working as a fitness writer, I’ve tried countless forms of exercise over the years, but grappling on the floor with a stranger had never appealed to me.

But when I recently tried BJJ, I discovered there’s much more to it. Not only did I learn lots of new skills in one session, it also challenged my strength, fitness and mobility—and I was laughing almost the whole time.

I now believe it’s one of the best ways for people of any age to move, especially if you have longevity in mind.

What is Brazilian jiu-jitsu?

BJJ is a martial art involving grappling, which often looks like rolling around on the floor with a partner. But it isn’t about sheer force—it involves specific sequences and techniques, like chokes and headlocks, to come out on top.

What are the benefits of Brazilian jiu-jitsu?

BJJ can be beneficial at any age.

“One of the best parts of jiu-jitsu, especially at the beginning, is body control and body awareness—you start to become conscious of your weight distribution, like where you’re placing your feet,” says Nia Blackman, a black belt and coach at ARMA, a BJJ gym in Clapham, London.

It’s also great for cognitive function, setting it apart from other forms of exercise. “In combat sports, there’s a lot of decision making,” says Blackman. “Jiu-jitsu really helps with staying calm under pressure, too.”

It’s also a fantastic way to develop your range of motion and flexibility. “It very much ties into mobility because the more mobile you are, the more you can flow,” Blackman explains.

My experience of Brazilian jiu-jitsu

I was lucky enough to have a one-to-one session with Blackman.

I was nervous about training with a black belt—would I get hurt?—but this wasn’t the case at all.

“A lot of people hear jiu-jitsu, think of Marvel film stunt sequences and think I can’t do that,” Blackman told me. “But the beginning of the journey is about learning basic movements rather than full-on sparring.”

In fact, Blackman started the session by teaching me some solo exercises, including how to fall to the floor and get back up.

“The biggest thing, especially when you start jiu-jitsu is learning how to fall, how to break your fall and how to get up safely,” says Blackman.

We then went through sequences together, starting in a closed guard position with Blackman sitting on her knees and me lying on my back with my legs around her waist. From there, she taught me how to maneuver both our bodies in order to tackle her or get her into a hold.

Writer Alice Porter being taught a sequence by Blackman

(Image credit: ARMA)

The session challenged my mobility and strength as much as a typical strength workout. Instead of using weights as resistance, I was using another person. It required more mental energy too, making BJJ a great way to keep your brain active as much as your body.

I also had more fun than I’ve had exercising in years. “It’s kind of like letting out your inner child,” Blackman told me. I 100% agree.

Three solo beginner-friendly Brazilian jiu-jitsu-inspired moves

You don’t need a partner to start practicing BJJ. If you’re interested, but don’t have anywhere nearby to practice, or want to prep at home, Blackman has shared three BJJ-inspired moves to help you work on mobility and skills.

“There are a lot of basic moves that you don’t do in everyday life that you’ll have to learn before you start actually doing jiu-jitsu,” says Blackman.

1. Technical stand-up

Getting off the floor efficiently isn’t just key to this sport—it’s useful for everyday life too. The technical stand-up is how you do it in jiu-jitsu.

Sit on the floor with your right leg stretched out in front, and your left leg bent, foot flat on the floor.
Place your right hand on the floor behind you, connecting your left elbow to your left knee.
Shift your weight onto your right hand and lift your hips, balancing with the left arm out in front.
Bring your right leg behind your right hand, coming into a wide squat position. You can come into a kneeling position first if you prefer.
Slowly stand up, taking your hands off the floor and bringing your feet into a parallel position.
Complete 10 repetitions.

2. Hip escape

A hip escape is a defensive move in jiu-jitsu. “In jiu-jitsu as a whole, you want to create angles,” Blackman says. “If you want to escape from under someone, then hip escapes are really helpful.”

Lie on your back with your feet close to your hips.
Bend your arms so your hands are hovering over your chest, palms facing up.
Thrust your hips up, then turn onto your side, shifting your weight onto your shoulders and sidebody.
Then push your legs out to drive your hips behind you.
Repeat on the other side.
Complete 10 repetitions.

3. 90-90

Hip mobility is essential to jiu-jitsu and working them through this range of motion will help with a variety of moves. You might have come across this move before.

Sit on the floor with one leg bent in front at 90°, the other leg to your side, also bent at 90°.
Keeping your torso upright, rotate your legs so the opposite leg is forward.
Then push up through your hips onto your knees.
Pause at the top, then return to your starting position and repeat on the other side.
Complete 10 repetitions on each side.

Fitness

How to get started at the gym – and keep going

Published

1 day ago

January 8, 2026

Press Room

How to get started at the gym – and keep going

It’s important to have goals in mind as you set out on your fitness journey, whether you’re trying to lose weight, gain muscle or train for a race.skynesher/Supplied

January is notoriously the busiest time of year at the gym. A survey from Ipsos reported that a third of Canadians made exercise-based resolutions for the new year, with many folks working out for the first time or returning to fitness after some time away. If you’re new to exercise, the gym can feel like an intimidating place. But it doesn’t need to be. Below we’ve put together a few suggestions to help you get started.

Have a plan going in

For success at the gym, it’s crucial to have a plan. Before you start, it’s important to identify your goals. Are you looking to get stronger? Training for a race or competition? Do you want to improve body composition? While almost any consistent exercise is going to improve your overall health, specific results require specific training.

Following a workout program can help you stay committed – here’s how to write your own

Those completely new to working out may want to invest in a few sessions with a personal trainer. A reputable trainer will be able to put together a plan based on your preferences and skill level, while walking you through the proper form for each exercise. If cost is an issue, many gyms offer a free intro training session as a sign-up perk. There are also hundreds of different workout programs you can find online and video tutorials outlining proper form.

If you’re intimidated to exercise on your own, a fitness class allows you to follow along with an instructor while getting some quick pointers on how to properly perform the workout. Many gyms offer discounted or free classes to first-time visitors.

Trying to do too much, too fast will burn you out, leave you injured or both

When you’re motivated by a new year’s resolution, it’s tempting to pencil in long gym sessions multiple times a week. But that kind of regime is rarely sustainable. If you’d like to make exercising a habit beyond January – and you’ll need to for any kind of lasting results – it’s best to think about what you can do in the long term.

“You can either do an hour of weightlifting a few days a week, and actually do it, or you have these imaginary 10-hour training sessions you’ll never actually have time for,” said Dan John, strength coach and author. “I try to focus on [programs that are] doable, repeatable and reasonable.”

Want to focus on healthy aging in 2026? Here are 10 nutrition tips to start the new year

Similarly, trying to immediately push beyond your physical limitations is a great way to get injured. For weightlifting, it’s important to consider proper warm-ups, active mobility exercises and learning the right techniques before trying to lift anything too heavy. For cardio, Canada Running Series offers a Couch to 5K plan that eases newcomers into jogging by starting small and gradually increasing the length/difficulty of each run.

Follow basic gym etiquette

The gym is a shared public space. Everyone there is trying to get in a good workout. That’s harder to do when people are having phone conversations, listening to videos without using headphones and refusing to wipe down their equipment after use.

In March, fitness trainer Paul Landini wrote an article explaining some unofficial rules to follow when going to the gym, including being mindful of other people’s space and making sure you’re not monopolizing equipment during busy hours.

Try to find what you like about the gym

Changes in body composition, strength and overall health take time. They also need upkeep over the long term. Building a consistent fitness habit is something that will help with all those goals. One of the best ways to do that is finding something at the gym you genuinely enjoy doing. That can be working out with a friend to add a social aspect to exercise and accountability to show up. It can entail learning a new fitness-adjacent skill such as boxing or training for a competition like Hyrox. It can be rooted in the sense of accomplishment that comes with getting stronger. Whatever the reason, finding the joy in exercise is going to be key if you want to move beyond short-term motivation.