This post contains affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy.
Full body roll-ups strengthen the upper and lower abs all in the same move. The full range of motion used in this exercise engages more muscle fibers than many core exercises.
As you slowly roll your body off the floor, you focus on exhaling which helps to pull your ab muscles in and avoid relying on momentum to move. In turn, when you are rolling back down to the floor you use your breath again to help control the descending motion.
The strength that builds in your core during this exercise is phenomenal! But it doesn’t end there. All the while you are relying on your core muscle to move you, you are also stretching out your back and hamstrings with each and every roll-up.
Putting full-body roll-ups into your weekly exercise routine is one of the smartest moves you can make. It is a great way to warm up gently and prepare the body for more, but also an excellent cool-down at the end of any workout.
If you learn how to do full-body roll-ups you will be learning one of the most standard pilates exercises there is.
Full body roll-ups are an exercise that strengthens your core and helps lengthen and stretch your back and hamstrings.
Table of contents
How To Do Full Body Roll-Ups
1) Start lying on the mat with arms extended overhead, legs long, and feet flexed.
2) Inhale as you lift arms up and begin curling your chin and chest forward. Exhale as you roll the entire torso up and over legs keeping abs engaged and reaching for toes.
3) Inhale as you begin rolling your spine back down one vertebra at a time and exhale as the upper portion of the back lower and your arms reach pack overhead. Repeat moving slowly and using the abdominals to lift and lower, not momentum.
What Muscles Do Full Body Roll-Ups Work?
Full Body Roll Up is an awesome core strength move that works your abdominal muscles, lower back and stabilizers and stretches your entire backside.
Your Four Main Abdominal Muscles:
Rectus Abdominis – The rectus abdominis runs vertically, flexes the core, and is the crunching muscle responsible for creating the ever-coveted six-pack.
External and Internal Obliques – The external and internal obliques run diagonally on the side of the torso. They flex the trunk forward, back, and sideways and are responsible for rotation of the trunk.
Transversus Abdominis – The transverse abdominis is a deep muscle that runs horizontally around your body and often is referred to as your low abs. I call it your “human girdle” because it helps secure and protect your low back while stabilizing and tightening your low belly. You can locate it by placing your hand below your belly button and coughing. This is the muscle I am always telling you to keep engaged.
Back troubles? Try the full body roll-up in our workout 10 best exercises for your bad back.
Benefits of Full Body Roll-Ups
There are many reasons you should incorporate Full Body Roll-Up into your workouts. Here are just a few:
Healthier Low Back
The Full Body Roll Up is a move that focuses on stability, strength, and overall health of your core and low back. In addition, this movement stretches the muscles of the lower back keeping them more flexible. Moves like the Full Body Roll Up will help you avoid low back pain and injury by keeping the muscles that surround your spine strong and flexible.
Sculpts Your Abs
There are so many exercises available for getting sculpted abs. Crunches, planks and all of their variations are the most commonly used. Full Body Roll Up is unique. This move gives you a new and fresh option for sculpting your abs! Based in Pilates, you will find that this move is extremely effective but also feels good while you’re doing it!
Improves Flexibility
The Full Body Roll Up is great for strengthening your core, but it is also an excellent stretch for the entire backside of your body. You stretch your hamstrings, lower back and upper back with the slow, controlled motion.
How Many Calories Do Full Body Roll-Ups Burn?
People often ask how many calories they are burning in their workouts. Most exercises will generally burn about 100 calories for every 10 minutes you are working at high intensity. Bottom line – the harder you work, the more calories you burn. But keep in mind that the Full Body Roll Up has benefits that far outweigh burning calories.
Other Exercises Similar to Full Body Roll-Ups
If you like the Full Body Roll-Up and the results you get from it, here are a few more exercises you might want to try.
