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.
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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.
[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id=”aICNfHkv” upload-date=”2019-02-22T15:32:13.000Z” name=”How To Do A Perfect Full Body Roll Up” description=”1) Start lying on mat with arms extended overhead, legs long, and feet flexed.
2) Inhale as you lift arms up and begin curling 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 being rolling your spine back down one vertebrae at a time and exhale as the upper portion of the back lower and 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.
Incorporating Full Body Roll-Ups Into Your Workouts
Full Body Roll Up is an amazing core exercise all on its own! However, you could also incorporate Full Body Roll Up into other workouts to mix them up. Here are some ideas to make that happen.
Use Full Body Roll-Ups In A Core Strength Workout
It only takes 4 or 5 good moves to get a complete core workout and cover virtually every muscle group in your midsection. The Full Body Roll Up is incorporated into this next workout that will do just exactly that!
Sculpted Core In 10 Minutes Workout
Full Body Roll Up – 1 minute
Forearm plank – Hold 30 seconds
Modified Side Plank Crunch – 30 seconds right, 30 seconds left
Scissors – 30 seconds
Oblique Crunch – 30 seconds right, 30 seconds left
Sweeping Scissors – 1 minute
Half Roll Back – 1 minute
Double Leg Stretch – 1 minute
Plank to Balance Plank – 1 minute
Forearm Side Plank – 30 seconds right, 30 seconds left
Full Body Roll Up 1 minute
Use Full Body Roll-Ups in Your Yoga Practice
Yoga is such a good workout not only for your flexibility but for your overall strength and core training. Incorporating the full-body roll-up into your yoga practice adds spinal flexibility and core training. Try this short morning yoga series at home:
Quick Yoga Wake-Up To Start Your Day
Happy Baby Pose
Windshield Wiper – 3 times each side
Full Body Roll Up
Cat-Cow- (5 repetitions)
Downward dog – Plank – Chaturanga – Upward Dog – (repeat series 5 times)
Crescent Lunge Right – Warrior 2 – Reverse Warrior
Downward dog – Plank – Chaturanga – Upward Dog –Downward Dog
Crescent Lunge Left – Warrior 2 – Reverse Warrior
Downward dog – Plank – Chaturanga – Upward Dog –Downward Dog
Child’s Pose
Use Full Body Roll-Ups In a Pilates Workout
Full body roll-up comes from the Pilates method. Pilates teaches you all about core stability and strength. It’s more than just getting a flat tummy. It’s all about having a strong center, protecting your back, and –yes-flattening your belly. Here is a short pilates workout to try at home.
Pilates Please!
Half Roll Back – 10 times
Pilates 100 – use the breath given and count to 100
Swimming – use the breath given and count
Double Leg Stretch – 10 times
Bicycle – 1 minute
Scissors – 1 minute
Full Body Roll Up -6-8 times
More Workouts That Incorporate The Full Body Roll-Up!
7 Things You Can Do To Get A Flat Tummy
10 Best Exercises For Your Bad Back
Targets: core, shoulders, back
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