The modified McGill curl-up is a Pilates go-to for ultimate core control and strength.

Form Tip: Slow it down on the way down. That’s where the strength is built.

For years we have been told the best way to get fitter and stronger is to lift something heavy, whether that’s a barbell or our own bodyweight. What if how we put it down was just as important?

When people think about exercise or weight training, they tend to focus on concentric exercises: those powerful movements that shorten muscles, like curling a dumbbell or powering upward in a squat.

McGill curl-ups, or modified curl-ups, are much friendlier for your lower back than moves like sit-ups, as your lower back is ...