The McGill Curl Up is a great abdominal exercise that not only helps to strengthen the abdominal muscles but also help to generate thoracic flexibility and lumbo-pelvic stability.

Similar to the Pilates Upper Ab Curl the McGill Curl Up asks you to lift the vertebra one by one off the floor starting with a slight chin tuck and lifting only as far as you can maintain the same space under your low back. At the top of the McGill Curl Up count to 10 and slowly roll your spine back down to the mat while keeping the same shape in your low back.

I like to program the McGill Curl Up with athletes who like to rely on their hip flexors as well as the athletes who tend toward over-extending their spines and have the classic rib flare look.