How Lara Pictet Builds a Strong, Lean Core With Pilates – And Why You Should Too

If you’ve ever wondered how actors manage to look strong, upright and oddly unruffled even after 14 hours on set, meet Lara Pictet. The rising star swears by Pilates as her secret weapon for core strength and long, lean muscle – the kind of strength you feel in your spine and hips every time you stand up a bit taller. For Lara Pictet, Pilates isn’t just another workout trend; it’s the foundation of how she moves, performs, and recovers.

“Pilates is one of the best exercises for core muscles and strength because it forces you to use different muscles during one exercise. You always keep your core engaged and work your inner or outer thighs, your biceps, your hips. It does not bulk; it’s used to tone and lean your body.”

That’s not marketing fluff – that’s someone who’s spent serious time on the mat.

Why Pilates Hits Your Core Differently

Most workouts flirt with your core. Pilates is the one who moves in, rearranges the furniture, and insists you sit up straight.

“Pilates really strengthens and balances your core which essentially is the foundation of your body, so over time you will not only develop better posture and flexibility, but also increase your muscle strength and tone.”

That “foundation” bit matters. A strong, balanced core isn’t just about visible abs; it’s the scaffolding for everything else you do – walking, lifting, sitting at a desk, even breathing properly.

For someone like Lara Pictet, whose job involves long days, awkward positions, and repeating the same movements over and over, having a stable core means fewer aches, better posture on screen, and a body that can handle the grind without falling apart.

Lara’s Quick Fire Warm-Up

Before the real work starts, Lara Pictet likes to wake up the body and switch on the core – not with a 10-minute jog, but with a short, sharp sequence you can do in your living room.

As she puts it:

“Let’s start with a little warm-up I love to do to get my heart rate up and my muscles to warm up!”

Here’s how her warm-up flows:

1. Hamstring Stretch Roll-Downs (8 reps)
   Stand with your feet a little wider than hip-width apart. Inhale as you lift your arms up to the ceiling, then exhale as you roll down to touch the floor, stretching your hamstrings and keeping your core gently engaged. You’re waking up the back of your body and telling your abs they’re on duty.
2. High Knees (8 reps)
   Jog on the spot, driving your knees high towards your chest for eight strong repetitions. Think more control than chaos – keep your torso tall and core braced.
3. Bum Kicks (8 reps)
   Switch direction and kick your heels up towards your glutes for eight kicks. Light on the feet, core still on, shoulders relaxed.
4. Squat With Heel Lifts (8 + 10 reps)
   Drop straight into a squat. Back straight, chest lifted, weight through your heels. Stay low as you lift and lower one heel at a time – 8 heel lifts on each foot. On the last one, lift both heels together and lower for 10 controlled reps. Your legs will be awake, your heart rate up, and your core very aware of its life choices.

Warm-up done. Now the fun begins.

The Pilates Core Sequence Lara Swears By

This is where Lara Pictet’s Pilates really starts carving into those deep core muscles – the ones you don’t see in selfies but feel when you climb stairs or hold a plank for longer than you’d like.

1. Reverse Bridge Lift (10 reps)

• Sit on your mat, hands planted behind you, fingers pointing towards your feet.
• Bend your knees, plant your feet, straighten your arms and curve your pelvic bone under.
• Lift your bum up into a reverse bridge, pushing your knees slightly out, then lower back down with control.
  Do this 10 times and your glutes and core will both be wide awake.

2. Classic Bridge With Arm Swing (10 reps + pulses)

Now flip over into a traditional bridge:

• Lie on your back with your head, neck and spine resting on the mat.
• Bend your knees, feet flat on the floor.
• Round your pelvic bone and peel your spine off the mat one vertebra at a time, lifting into a bridge. Keep your ribs down so your lower back is supported.
• Lower and lift for 10 reps, adding a swing of your arms overhead as you rise and bringing them back down as you lower.

On the last rep:

• Stay lifted and pulse your knees out 10 times to light up your outer thighs and glutes.

Then, still in bridge:

• Lift one leg straight up to the sky, keeping your hips level.
  Lower and lift that leg for 10 reps.
• Switch legs and repeat on the other side.

If your hamstrings aren’t talking to you by now, check their pulse.

3. The Dead Bug (10 reps)

Ridiculous name. Brilliant exercise.

• Lie flat on your back.
• Lift your legs into a tabletop, knees bent at a 90° angle.
• Reach your arms straight up towards the ceiling above your chest.
• Lower one leg towards the floor as the opposite arm reaches straight back behind your head.
• Bring them back to centre and alternate sides for 10 reps.

The key: move slowly, keep your lower back glued to the mat, and don’t let your ribs pop up. This is anti-gravity for your spine.

4. Diamond Leg Taps (10 reps)

Still on your back:

• Place your hands underneath your bum for a little extra support.
• Lift your legs into a tabletop position and touch the soles of your feet together so your legs form a diamond shape.
• Lower your joined toes towards the mat, tap lightly, and lift back up.

Repeat for 10 reps, moving with control. This hits the lower abs without the strain of endless sit-ups.

5. Hover and Pulse (15 reps)

Finish on all fours:

• Hands directly under your shoulders, knees under your hips.
• Lengthen your neck, keep your back flat.
• Flex your feet and lift your knees just 1 inch off the floor.
• From there, pulse your knees out for 15 small, controlled reps.

It looks tiny. It does not feel tiny.

Breathe, Repeat, Recover

To really get the benefit, repeat the entire series one more time. Focus on form, not speed. And yes, Lara wants you to remember the most underrated Pilates cue of all: don’t forget to breathe.

This is why her approach to Pilates is so effective: every move insists on core engagement, balance, and total-body control. There’s no mindless flinging of limbs, no ego lifting, and absolutely no point where your abs get the afternoon off.

Whether you’re an actor, an office worker or somewhere in between, building this kind of strength pays off in better posture, fewer aches, and a body that feels more “put together” from the inside out.

And if you’d like to see where all that discipline and poise shows up off the mat, there’s one more thing you should know:

Lara Pictet, who is the lead star in new film By Light Of Desert Night which is out now on Sky Store and will be available on Amazon Prime and other digital platforms later this month!