The Human Burrito Roll-Up

Reaction Sequence · Mechanism

Lie flat on your back like you're making a gym-floor snow angel, legs straight, arms extended way above your head like you're reaching for the last cookie on the top shelf. You look ridiculous. You look like a starfish that gave up on life. But trust the process, because this exercise is about to turn you into a human burrito, and it's going to be AMAZING.

Simultaneously — and I really mean at the SAME TIME, no slacking — bend your knees up toward your chest, lift your glutes off the floor by rotating your pelvis, AND swing your arms from overhead down toward your knees. Your body is folding in on itself like a gymnast doing a tuck, and your abs are doing approximately 100 percent of the work to make this miracle of physics happen.

Squeeze everything at the peak of the movement like you're trying to become the world's tightest ball, hold for a brief moment of self-reflection about your life choices, and then unroll yourself back to the starting position with control. Don't just FLOP back down — this is an exercise, not a trust fall with the floor.

This beginner ab move looks innocent, but it cranks your entire midsection from top to bottom. Upper abs, lower abs, and that stubborn area where your belly button lives — they're all getting invited to this party. Welcome to the burrito life. It's delicious and painful.