WomensHealth
  • News
  • Health
  • Fitness
  • Sex & Love
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Weight Loss
  • Women In Sport
  • Podcasts
  • Video
WomensHealth
  • News
  • Health
  • Fitness
  • Sex & Love
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Weight Loss
  • Women In Sport
  • Podcasts
  • Video
This Simple, Effective Ab Workout Will Shred Your Six-Pack
Watch 0:23

This Simple, Effective Ab Workout Will Shred Your Six-Pack

{headline}

{headline}

Jada Pinkett-Smith's Abs Look Ridiculously Toned In Latest Bikini Pic

Jada Pinkett-Smith's Abs Look Ridiculously Toned In Latest Bikini Pic

Jenna Dewan's Go-To Core Workout Is Not What You'd Expect

Jenna Dewan's Go-To Core Workout Is Not What You'd Expect

The Fitness Routine Behind Lady Gaga’s Washboard Abs

The Fitness Routine Behind Lady Gaga’s Washboard Abs

Jillian Michaels’ 4 Move Ab Workout Will Totally Transform Your Core

Jillian Michaels’ 4 Move Ab Workout Will Totally Transform Your Core

{headline}

{headline}

Kate Beckinsale Just Shared A Video Of Her Badass Boxing Workout, And Honestly Good For Her

Kate Beckinsale Just Shared A Video Of Her Badass Boxing Workout, And Honestly Good For Her

The Dead Bug Is The Perfect Ab Move For Avoiding Back Pain

The Dead Bug Is The Perfect Ab Move For Avoiding Back Pain

Selena Gomez’ Ab Workout Makes Hitting The Gym Sound Fun

Selena Gomez’ Ab Workout Makes Hitting The Gym Sound Fun

{headline}

{headline}

Rita Ora Credits Her Chiseled Abs To An Hour Of Working Out Per Day

Rita Ora Credits Her Chiseled Abs To An Hour Of Working Out Per Day

Charlie XCX Just Posted A Photo Proving She's Got Totally Ripped Abs

Charlie XCX Just Posted A Photo Proving She's Got Totally Ripped Abs

This Is Exactly How Miley Cyrus Got ‘Abs Like A Ninja Turtle’

This Is Exactly How Miley Cyrus Got ‘Abs Like A Ninja Turtle’

The 14-Minute Ab Workout That Will Transform Your Core In Weeks

The 14-Minute Ab Workout That Will Transform Your Core In Weeks

Kaley Cuoco Reckons This Workout Routine Is Responsible For Her Insane Abs

Kaley Cuoco Reckons This Workout Routine Is Responsible For Her Insane Abs

If You Want To Sculpt Your Abs, You NEED To Be Doing This

If You Want To Sculpt Your Abs, You NEED To Be Doing This

Victoria Beckham’s Daily Fitness Regime Is Actually Insane

Victoria Beckham’s Daily Fitness Regime Is Actually Insane

  1. Home
  2. Workout

Ashley Graham Has A Foolproof Way To Tell If You’re Engaging Your Core Correctly

Spoiler: it'll make a huge difference to your results. - by Lucy Bode
  • 24 Jul 2019
Ashley Graham Has A Foolproof Way To Tell If You’re Engaging Your Core Correctly
Getty

A quick scroll through the Insta feed will tell you three things about Ashley Graham: the girl is unapologetic herself (remember that time she ate fried chicken in a bikini?!), a weapon in the gym (dem booty gains tho) and a huge advocate for embracing the ‘Ugly Butt’ (a workout cue that helps her nail perfect form at all times.)

“When Ashley did a plank, it was apparent to me that she’s never really been taught how to truly engage her core, despite the fact she’s been working out for a really long time,” Ashley’s trainer Kira Stokes who coined the term, told Shape of their first-ever sweat session together. The tip-off? She kept sticking her booty out, meaning there was no abdominal activation whatsoever.

kirastokesfit View Profile
4,686 likes - View Post on Instagram
Had an absolute blast leading a workout for the Ashley X Olly event last week. SWIPE for some inspiring words from @ashleygraham and Stoked moments powered by @ollynutrition - those energy gummies are magic✨💥 (I'm a big fan of all Olly products). Thanks to everyone who came out GET STOKED💪🏼PLEASE READ⬇️ ⭐️We all know showing up for a new workout experience can be both exciting and intimidating. Remembering that you are showing up for YOU, to do what's right for YOUR body can help ensure your experience is a fabulous one. Your workout, your body, your time. A few things I like to remind myself and both new and experienced #stokedathletes : 🔹Have no shame in your modification game - respect the process of getting stronger. Regressions (and progressions for that matter) are there to help you navigate your way through your personal fitness journey, safely and effectively 🔹perform "self-awareness scans" as I like to call them. Mind/muscle connection is key during workouts. Take the time to set your position, know the correct form and understand what muscles you need to engage to move properly (set-up, form, action). Take this connection a step further and every so often do I deeper check-in to reassess how your body is feeling and responding to the workout. This can help you to adjust form, the weights your using, speed at which you're moving etc so your workout is the most effective 🔹 smile through and do you - let your spirit shine. You're doing amazing things for your body and mind by challenging it with a workout, that's something to celebrate! #ollysponsored #happyinsideout

“If you ask someone who is used to modelling for eight hours a day to tuck and draw your butt in they're like, 'Huh? In every picture I’m supposed to stick it out, and now I’m supposed to do the opposite?’ But by allowing your pelvis to anteriorly tilt (booty pop position) instead of tucking your pelvis ('Ugly Butt' position), you're setting yourself up to have real pain in the future," Stokes explained.

RELATED: Jessica Alba's Go-To Workout Burns More Calories Than A HIIT Class

ashleygraham View Profile
415.1k likes - View Post on Instagram
I

In fact, the first time she got Ash to tuck her pelvis under and squeeze her cheeks simultaneously (which btw, is key), she looked at her in disbelief and was like, “Oh my god! I think for the first time I felt my core.”

But hold up, why is core activation so important again?!

“It’s the powerhouse of your body,” Stokes explains. “All movement – safe movement – stems from your core.” NB: the term ‘core’ doesn’t just refer to abs. ("Your core muscles are everything from the glutes (butt), to the insertion of your lat muscles, to the front and back body. Essentially it’s everything except your head and limbs.”) And don’t stress if you’re not a huge fan of planks (same), there are heaps of alternate exercises out there that will work your core just as well.

“Bridging, bird dog crunches, endurance glute work where you’re on all fours and pulsing, are all great for core work,” Stokes adds. Just don’t forget to activate the good ole ‘Ugly Butt.’

Need some workout inspo? Watch Ashley Graham's lower body burner...

  • Fitness
  • Workout
  • Abs Workout
  • Butt Workouts
  • Full Body Workouts
  • Celebrities
Lucy Bode
Lucy Bode
Lucy is Women Health’s digital editor, social media specialist and the go-to girl for all things holistic wellness. Her background as a journalist and passion for food, fitness and integrative medicine has led her to write for some of Australia’s leading publications over the course of her career.

Subscribe Now-

Subscribe Now
Subscribe Now

Subscribe Now-

Subscribe Now
Subscribe Now

Recommended to you

This Simple, Effective Ab Workout Will Shred Your Six-Pack
Watch 0:23

This Simple, Effective Ab Workout Will Shred Your Six-Pack

{headline}

{headline}

Jada Pinkett-Smith's Abs Look Ridiculously Toned In Latest Bikini Pic

Jada Pinkett-Smith's Abs Look Ridiculously Toned In Latest Bikini Pic

Jenna Dewan's Go-To Core Workout Is Not What You'd Expect

Jenna Dewan's Go-To Core Workout Is Not What You'd Expect

The Fitness Routine Behind Lady Gaga’s Washboard Abs

The Fitness Routine Behind Lady Gaga’s Washboard Abs

Jillian Michaels’ 4 Move Ab Workout Will Totally Transform Your Core

Jillian Michaels’ 4 Move Ab Workout Will Totally Transform Your Core

{headline}

{headline}

Kate Beckinsale Just Shared A Video Of Her Badass Boxing Workout, And Honestly Good For Her

Kate Beckinsale Just Shared A Video Of Her Badass Boxing Workout, And Honestly Good For Her

The Dead Bug Is The Perfect Ab Move For Avoiding Back Pain

The Dead Bug Is The Perfect Ab Move For Avoiding Back Pain

Selena Gomez’ Ab Workout Makes Hitting The Gym Sound Fun

Selena Gomez’ Ab Workout Makes Hitting The Gym Sound Fun

{headline}

{headline}

Rita Ora Credits Her Chiseled Abs To An Hour Of Working Out Per Day

Rita Ora Credits Her Chiseled Abs To An Hour Of Working Out Per Day

Charlie XCX Just Posted A Photo Proving She's Got Totally Ripped Abs

Charlie XCX Just Posted A Photo Proving She's Got Totally Ripped Abs

This Is Exactly How Miley Cyrus Got ‘Abs Like A Ninja Turtle’

This Is Exactly How Miley Cyrus Got ‘Abs Like A Ninja Turtle’

The 14-Minute Ab Workout That Will Transform Your Core In Weeks

The 14-Minute Ab Workout That Will Transform Your Core In Weeks

Kaley Cuoco Reckons This Workout Routine Is Responsible For Her Insane Abs

Kaley Cuoco Reckons This Workout Routine Is Responsible For Her Insane Abs

If You Want To Sculpt Your Abs, You NEED To Be Doing This

If You Want To Sculpt Your Abs, You NEED To Be Doing This

Victoria Beckham’s Daily Fitness Regime Is Actually Insane

Victoria Beckham’s Daily Fitness Regime Is Actually Insane

WomensHealth
  • Contact Us
  • About Paragon Media
  • Contact Paragon Media
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Statement
  • Contact Us
  • About Paragon Media
  • Contact Paragon Media
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Statement

Brands

Our Network

  • Paragon Media Pty Ltd
  • Men’s Health
© 2021 Are Media PTY LTD
Get more from

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe Now-

Shop This Offer
Subscribe Now