I’m short.
It’s true, and I’m completely ok with that. I was told I would never top a whopping five feet, so the fact that I’m 5’4″ is actually quite exciting to me.
The problem is, I’ve always felt stocky in my shortness. I don’t know if it’s because I was a tomboy or the fact that I played soccer or just the mental games we play with ourselves, but I never felt short and cute and petite.
I felt stocky.
Which is probably one of the reasons I fell in love with Pilates!
Pilates helps to tone and strengthen your muscles while stretching and lengthening at the same time.
It was the first time I actually felt somewhat graceful and let my inner “ballerina” come out. (Full disclosure: I was never a dancer. The one lead I had in my high school musical was a character who broke her leg and couldn’t dance. They gave that one to me.)
While I now love to lift weights and do squat jumps and all that fun stuff, I always come back to Pilates to feel open and long and centered again.
This workout showing How to Tone Your Butt is right up my alley!
This is a short, under 10 minute leg workout you can do at home that will help strengthen your glutes, thighs, hamstrings and hips. You will tone and strengthen without “bulking” up. We obviously all want to tone those areas, but you will also help prevent low back pain by keeping your hips and legs strong!
Win win!
This is one of my favorite Pilates leg workouts, and I hope you like it. You will need either a small Pilates/playground ball or just a pillow close by. Remember to keep your core engaged throughout the workout, and please stop if you feel any pain.
This workout is perfect for those short 10 minute breaks you have during the day, or at the end of a long walk or cardio session. Or pair it with this abdominal plank video and this inner thigh barre video for a 20 minute full body workout!
Here’s to all the short and tall women out there – you are all beautiful!
*As always, check with your doctor before making any changes in your fitness routine. Stop if you experience pain or discomfort. These videos are not meant to diagnose or treat disease.
