Move of the Week: Banana

Week 7: banana

Lashley Pulsipher, a Pilates instructor at Exhale fitness studio in Dubai, demonstrates the seventh exercise in our eight-part weekly series of Pilates workouts. Do this move alone, or incorporate it into your own fitness routine. Go to www.thenational.ae/moveoftheweek, where we collect the workouts and post video demonstrations.

"Such a good exercise to strengthen back muscles and the obliques, which are the muscles that wrap around the side of the body. It give ladies a nice feminine waist."

Lay on your side in a straight line. Inhale to prepare and on the exhale pull your abs in towards your spine and curl up into a banana shape.

You can leave your bottom arm extended on the ground but you need to curl up so that your armpit is off the ground, ensuring your feet and legs are pressed together.

The more advanced version is where your supporting arm, beneath your body, also lifts up to make the full banana shape.

Top tip "A great move to do at home without the need for much space or any equipment, and one that will help you gauge your strength level very easily."

Mat Pilates classes at Exhale start at Dh60; Reformer Pilates costs Dh400 for a package of five sessions or Dh750 for 10. For details and timings, visit www.exhaledubai.com or call 04 424 3777