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Pilates Summer Series: Day #1
Hi Beauties,
Welcome to the first official day of the Pilates Summer Series!
I’m SO excited that you’re joining me on this 3 week journey to prepare our bodies for the summer season.
Athleta and I have teamed up to bring your FREE workouts for the month of May. In addition to the daily workouts I’ll be sharing loads of healthy summer recipes, summer-prep ideas and tips to up your confidence before slipping in to your bikini this year.
My hope is that this will me MORE than a workout plan. I hope it will be a month full of self-care, body appreciation and positive change.
I want us glow with confidence this year. No shame, no insecurity, no hiding.
Remember our mantra…we will NOT be afraid of our bikinis this year.
Can I get an amen?!
Don’t be fooled, doing a little bit each day will add up to a lot by the end of the month. And that’s exactly what we’re going to do.
So without further ado, let’s workout!
Today we’ll be working our abs from all angles. This quick, but effective routine will help you connect to your core while challenging your stability and strength. I hope you enjoy!
(did you receive your workout calendar and Progress Checklist yet? If not, be sure to sign up here.)
Today’s Check-in: Introduce yourself!
There are over 2,000 women participating in this challenge (how awesome is that?) and since this is truly a community event I encourage you to dive in and participate. Introduce yourself on Twitter or Instagram so that we can all do this together. Accountability and support will keep you motivated throughout the month.
Simply post a photo (any photo) introducing yourself and use the hashtag #PilatesSummerSeries.
Remember, we’re all in this together so don’t be shy!
See you back here tomorrow for workout #2 and BIG giveaway!
xo,
PS – Want to take it one step further? Maximize your results for just $27. Seriously, that’s a steal. 🙂
WEARING:
Amp It Up Bra in Black & White
X’s & O’s Capri in Flint (on sale!)
disclaimer: these videos were created for individuals in good health. Robin recommends that you speak with your doctor prior to beginning a new exercise routine. By doing this video you do so at your own risk and agree to release Robin Long and The Balanced Life of any and all liability. Clothing generously provided by Athleta.
Robin Long
Robin Long, founder and CEO of Lindywell, certified Pilates instructor, Nutrition Therapy Practitioner, and author of 'Well to the Core,' blends 15 years of expertise with a lifelong commitment to holistic health.
Learn more about Robin Long
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78 thoughts on “Pilates Summer Series: Day #1”
Loved the work out this morning, I am sweating, I feel stretched and limber! Can’t wait to see my results at the end!!! Your location of filming this time is amazing! I enjoyed watching the sun rise!
Great way to start the day isn’t it? 🙂
Awesome way to start my day!!!
Nice job Kris!
SUPER strong workout to kick off this Pilates summer series. Thank you! Feeling awesome.
Glad you enjoyed it! xo
That was super challenging!! I’m excited to see what else you have in store for us! Thanks Robin!
My pleasure! Glad you’re joining in. 🙂
Thank you! This workout was a challenge for me, but in a good way. I paused the workout and laughed because I was having a hard time. Thank you for teaching me that I still can improve! I’m excited for tomorrow’s workout!
I’m glad you laughed. It’s all about having fun. And you WILL feel stronger soon! Hang in there 🙂
Day 1 completed at 5:30am and for only being 5 minutes I would say I definitely worked up a sweat. Love the filming location and the workout. Excited for the rest of the 3 weeks!
So happy to hear that! I’m glad I can take you to the beach each morning. 🙂 Impressed by your 5:30am dedication! xo, Robin
Thank you! So good as always!
My pleasure!
I’m so excited to be home from work and work my abs! I loved the last challenge and am looking forward to hanging out with you again.
Isn’t it so nice to be able to do it from home? Way to start strong this week. 🙂
Very challenging, but enjoyable!
Thanks Linda!
Robin, this is my first time doing Pilates. I was a bit skeptical on how 5 minutes could help but today has defiantly changed my mind! The video was awesome I was sweating up a storm, I can’t wait for the next 3 weeks of video, thank you for doing this.
So glad you enjoyed it! And that I proved you wrong. 🙂 Many more to come! xo
Thank you for the challenging workout! It showed me that I’m stronger than I thought. I’m pretty sure that was my best plank ever! And I completed this even with my 2 year old “helping” me, lol. I’m excited for tomorrow’s workout!
Oh I love hearing that! You ARE stronger than you think. And you will continually discover that this month. 🙂
Well, well, well…my abs are obviously in need of this challenge! I had to pause too a few times, but I will not be deterred. Thanks, Robin…see ya tomorrow for legs.
It was a toughie today. 🙂 Hang in there! It will be fun to come back around to this workout at the end to see how much strength you’ve gained. xo
Completed day #1. I had a baby almost 3 months ago and this was hard since I haven’t tried working out since my boy was born. Excited to get my body back into shape.
Great job Juliann! Take your time and give yourself grace. I had a baby 11 months ago and I am STILL re-gaining my strength. At 3 months it is totally normal to need to take breaks or modify. I’m glad you can do these from home with your little one by your side! xo
that was simply awesome. looking forward to the next 20 days!
Thanks Wendy, me too!
Just finished day 1 (WOW it was HARD!!) plus I did April abs video #4 for the third day in a row right after doing this workout… My abs are so sore!! Awesome workouts!! Thank you so much!! I love your videos!
Such dedication! I love it. 🙂
Hi Robin,
Great ab exercises. The one where you twist the upper and lower body in opposite directions is really challenging! I am excited about starting this three week excursion. Thank you.
It is challenging isn’t it? Glad you’re still going strong Cara!
What an awesome ab workout, it burned! Thanks Robin!
My pleasure Kim 🙂
Loved this workout! This series is perfect timing as i had my 6 week postpartum appointment today for my second baby and she cleared me to work out. Abs was challenge on the first day:). Can’t wait for the rest of the series!
Great timing! And congrats on your new baby. 🙂 Take your time, take breaks and modify as necessary. I know it took me awhile to move well with my abs again! I’m 11 months out and still feel it differently than I did pre-pregnancy. Glad you’re joining us! xo
Thank you, Robin! I have a quick question. I’m hoping to get pregnant in about 3 months. Do you have suggestions for what I should do (in addition to this) before then to get in shape and lose weight? Thank you! N
Hi there! This will be a great way to prepare for pregnancy. Pilates helps SO much! And if you get a good foundation in these 3 months you’ll be able to continue through pregnancy. 🙂 (I have an online prenatal program too called Balanced Beginnings). Other than that, just stay active! Walk, run, hike, whatever you enjoy. Eat a lot of healthy foods: lean protein, loads of produce and lots of healthy fats (nuts, avocado, fish, coconut oil, etc). And start taking a prenatal vitamin. Of course your doctor’s advice is to be taken over mine, but this is what I would do if I were planning on getting pregnant soon. xo
That was a good intro back to working out, I’ve been sitting for too long!!
I know, the sitting really get ya doesn’t it? This will help! Keep it up. 🙂
So happy to get started on this program! Thanks for offering this to the world:) Just so you know, I linked to your site in my blog http://www.positivelyminutiae.blogspot.com. I have a little gratitude section in each post and today I put the Pilates Summer Series in there:)
Oh thank you! That makes my day. Excited to check out your blog 🙂 xo
Thank you so much, Robin! Great way for me to take some time for myself after a stressful Monday. Looking forward to the next 20 days! 🙂
I’m glad I could help! It’s amazing what 8 minutes can do isn’t it? So important on those stressful days. Hope tomorrow is brighter 🙂 xo
Hi, I’m melissa and I just finished today’s workout. Whoooo that last move kicked my butt! It was a toughie. Thank you Robin for doing this. See you on the mat tomorrow.
Haha, it is a toughie! And nice to meet you. 🙂 xo
I am just starting Pilates, in the last month, since I found your blog and YouTube channel and I am loving it so far. Today’s workout totally kicked my butt (in a good way) and I am excited for the next three weeks. Afterwards I did a little yoga to get my breathing and heart rate normal, since this is still very new to me. Thanks for such a great resource! 🙂
Hi Kelsey! I’m so glad that you’ve found me and more importantly, Pilates. Remember you can always modify and take breaks. It’s my intention to challenge you so I don’t expect you to be able to do everything perfectly on day 1. Keep up the great work. 🙂
Love this series – can’t wait to see tomorrow’s workout!
It will be a fun one! xo
Great work out! This is the first challenge of yours I am attempting. I feel like I can actually commit to this every day as it’s only 10 minutes or so…so many other programs/challenges are like “do cardio for an hour and then complete this 20 minute toning routine every day,” which is completely unattainable for me. So thank you! Would you mind posting what pieces of Athleta you are wearing each day? Or are you going to do a clothing wrap-up at the end?
Thanks!
I’m glad you feel that way! I’m busy too and I feel the same – sometimes small steps are more successful than setting out with GRAND expectations that end up being too much to attain. The best part is you can double up when you do have extra time but it’s not required for success! 🙂 And I will happily share my clothing. I’ll add it at the end of each post. I’m in love and wear it every day! Glad you’re joining us! xo
Wow! I thought carrying my 25lb 1 year old was a workout. This was the real deal. Thanks so much, Robin! That bikini should probably be afraid of me come June. 🙂
Best quote ever. I might have to change our tag line. 🙂 I have an almost 1 year old too! So glad you’re joining in. xo
I absolutely LOVE these videos! I just started finals week and it was a great way to pause and relax a bit in the middle of all the craziness! Thank you so much Robin 🙂
Oh so glad! Perfect to break up the study sessions. Good luck! 🙂
Thanks Robin! I found your 28 days of Pilates in March (hah) and have been doing those workouts playing catchup. I’m super excited about the summer series – so far so challenging/awesome! I love how you flow from one exercise to the next… lots of Pilates power in a short amount of time! Perfect way to wind down my day. Looking forward to tomorrow’s workout 🙂
Thanks Aly! I’m so glad you’re enjoying them. Make me happy. 🙂
*makes* me happy 🙂
Thank you! Awesome Ab workout 🙂
You’re welcome!
I really felt my abs on fire it was great! thank you
My pleasure Janai!
loved day 1 did not recieve link for day 2, where is it? Thanks.
Hi Angele, Every day the workout will go up in a new post on my blog. So the Day #2 workout was posted this morning. Click on my logo up above, it will take you back to the home screen. There you should see a post titled Pilates Summer Series: Day #2 + a GIVEAWAY. 🙂
this was fantastic! Thanks for putting this together.
You’re welcome. And thank YOU for joining me!
Hey robin ! Joining you a day late but I’ll catch up on the weekend . Excited ! And loved that I get to look at the ocean on your video as I work out ! Lol
Sounds great Kim! Glad you’re joining in. 🙂
Just started today! It’s a short amount of time – with lots of great burn 😉 Thanks for helping us all out.
#PilatesSummerSeries day 1 completed. I started a few days late (on day 3), but plan to stay on track to the end. I knew I had got out of shape in the 10 years since I practiced Pilates faithfully and was surprised at my inability to do the 100s without skipping a couple of 10s. 🙁 I obviously have not been using those muscles in a long while, but it is good to be on the right track!
Welcome to the challenge Rachel! Your strength will come back. Just hang in there and stick with it. 🙂
First Pilates workout…ever. Fantastic! Found you on Athleta while I was browsing. Thank you for doing this challenge, I am very excited to begin Pilates. It was a great workout, very challenging. I am trying to get in shape, not only for summer but for a better me in general.
Hi Robin! Wish I had found this 8 days ago! Just did day 1 – loved it! Never done Pilates but am becoming a fan thanks to you and Athleta! Nice addition to mix up my workout from home!
So glad you’re jumping in! It’s not too late. 🙂
9 dates late….but better late than never! Abtastic!!!
I just started this because I have more time now and man! I shouldn’t have taken a break since the 28 days Pilates challenge. That was harder that I thought it was going to be! Here is to getting happier and healthier 🙂
Just did this- printed out the checklist and am starting it up today!