The 12 Days of (Christmas) Exercises: #9

Today is our 9th day in our 12 Days of (Christmas) Exercises series! The movement today works the Core (abdominal and lower back muscles) and is called a Opposite-Arm-and-Leg Horizontal Reach.


In quadruped (hands and knees) position, tighten your abdominal muscles and squeeze your glutes (aka: your butt muscles). Simultaneously extend one leg and opposite arm out long, parallel to the floor. Try to hold your body in still, plank-like position from fingertips to toes, with your head and spine in neutral alignment and remember to breathe! Hold the position for 15–60 seconds and then switch sides. In addition to working your transversus abdominis and obliques (aka- ab muscles), this exercise engages glutes, hamstrings, back extensors and your shoulders... a true multi-tasking move and great for pregnant moms!


Please do not attempt this move if you have not yet been cleared by your physician to exercise!