I’m on a mission to improve my deep core strength, and have found that my favorite way to go about it is tackling free Pilates workout videos on YouTube.

The slow, controlled movements used in Pilates get my abs burning in no time, but the overall focus on functional strength is great for deeper muscles as well as my glutes.

For me, the benefits are particularly useful in my running — I’m a marathoner and a strong core helps me hold my form deep into races — but I’m also feeling stronger outside my runs and during other strength sessions in the gym.

I’ve been building up the time I spend on my core workouts, and just tried this 20-minute session from Pilates instructor Nicole McPherson, who goes by Move With Nicole on YouTube, which is the hardest session I’ve done yet.

It focuses on t

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