POPSUGAR

Ballerina Misty Copeland's Favorite Ab-Sculpting Moves

Aug 8 2014 - 11:39am

Ballerina Misty Copeland is here to prove once and for all that dancing is a sport. The Under Armour athlete and American Ballet Theater soloist currently stars in a mesmerizing Under Armour commercial [1], a must-see not only for her technique on the floor but also for her incredibly strong physique. Misty says that while she does crosstrain with Pilates, swimming, and the elliptical when she's not in season, it's dancing that really sculpts every inch of her body. "I really can't think of something as physically demanding that targets everything by just using your body," Misty recently told us. "When I retire or when I physically can't handle or endure what it takes to be a professional [ballerina], I have no idea how I'm going to find something that's going to be the same in terms of just targeting every single part of my body and bringing me joy while I'm doing it."

When she is in Pilates class, Misty favors total-body moves that especially target her core and legs. And while we can't all be superstar ballerinas, we can definitely add these no-equipment moves to our next gym workout. Check out Misty's favorite ab- and leg-sculpting exercises below!

Source: Under Armour

Elbow Plank

Misty loves this move for all-over body conditioning and especially for targeting her core. If you're new to the plank, start with holding for 30 seconds. Misty holds hers for two minutes at a time!

Single-Leg Bridge

This move "really reaches and targets the hamstrings and the butt and the whole back and the abs," Misty says.


Source URL
https://www.popsugar.com/fitness/Misty-Copeland-Workout-35430354