If you can\u2019t fit a full workout into your day, that doesn\u2019t mean you have to forget about movement altogether.<\/p>\n
In fact, exercise snacks\u2014short bursts of movement throughout the day\u2014are a great way to improve your overall health, particularly if you spend a lot of time sitting down.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Try this five-minute routine from Pilates instructor and Barre coach Vanessa Michielon<\/a> to help you activate your core, shoulders and glutes.<\/p>\n Latest Videos FromFit&Well<\/p>\n How to do this \u201cexercise snack\u201d five-minute Pilates workout<\/p>\n The short workout is essentially made up of four exercise positions. We break down the moves below.<\/p>\n 1. Plank knee drives<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a great way to prepare the whole body for the sequence ahead, activating your core, shoulders and hip flexors while warming up the body through a dynamic, weight-bearing movement,\u201d says Michielon.<\/p>\n You may like<\/p>\n \u201cThe cross-body action also challenges coordination and control through the trunk.\u201d<\/p>\n How to do it:<\/p>\n Reps: 5 each side<\/p>\n Start in a high plank with your hands and toes on the floor and your body in one long line.Slowly drive your right knee toward your right shoulder, then toward your left shoulder, creating a gentle rotation through the hip.Extend your right leg back and bring your foot down into the plank position.Alternate sides, keeping your shoulders stable and your pelvis as level as possible.<\/p>\n How to modify this movement:<\/p>\n \u201cFor a more gentle variation you can start from an all four position and always keep one knee on the ground when the other leg moves,\u201d Michielon suggests.<\/p>\n What to read next<\/p>\n 2. Kneeling forearm foldover with leg extension<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a brilliant combination for your deep core, glutes and shoulders, challenging you to stabilize the trunk while the leg moves through different directions, mobilizing the hip,\u201d Michielon explains.<\/p>\n \u201cThe repeated knee drive adds a dynamic core challenge, while the long leg extension strengthens your glutes and posterior chain,\u201d she adds.<\/p>\n How to do it:<\/p>\n Reps: 10 each side<\/p>\n Start on your forearms and knees, with your elbows underneath your shoulders and your spine straight.Turn the fingertips of your left hand toward your right elbow.Lift your right forearm off the ground and place your right palm flat in a press-up position toward the right side of your mat.Extend your right leg behind you, then draw your right knee toward your right shoulder.From here, extend your leg back and up.Keeping your right leg straight, slowly lower it and tap the floor.Lift your right leg back up and draw the knee toward the shoulder to begin the next repetition.Complete 10 repetitions, then repeat on the opposite side.<\/p>\n How to modify this movement:<\/p>\n Stick to the first part of the movement only, simply drawing the knee in and out.<\/p>\n