Kate Hudson: ‘The ab workout I love cause I hate it so much, is Pilates’

Kate Hudson

Kate Hudson covers the October issue of Women’s Health to promote Fabletics, basically. That isn’t shade because I dig the trend of actresses founding their own companies as their careers wind down. Very few women, especially the ones who specialize in romcoms, can sustain momentum as they approach their 40s. Kate’s only 35, but she’s got the right idea. Hollywood allows women to peak at an early age and leaves them hanging when the fresh crop of specimens enters. It isn’t fair, but it’s reality.

This interview starts off by saying Kate is the happiest person ever because of her “insane body, loving family, and killer career.” Killer career, not so much. Kate does have a great bod, and she and Matt Bellamy are making it work. I guess? There have been tabloid stories of their demise. They’ve been engaged for three years, but maybe they don’t need to get married. Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell have been together for three decades without making it “official.” I gather Kate is tired of this discussion, but she’s being nice:

Why she works out: “Everybody loves results. But I think that for me, the most motivating factor is what starts happening to your brain: how we become more clear, how we actually find ourselves having way more energy, how our memory starts to become sharper. The more active you are, the more present you are, the more eloquently you start to speak because your brain is just firing differently.”

On getting her abs: “There is no favorite ab workout. Abs are nobody’s favorite. Maybe some people, but not me. I would say the ab workout that I love cause I hate it so much, is Pilates. It’s the ab [exercise] where you bring in your legs up and your arms back and hold it and bring them back in again. Any women who has had a baby, engaging with your lower abs, especially if you have had a C-section like I did. Sometimes if you don’t work on your stomach for even a week or something, trying to get back into it, and you then connect with them again, you’re like ‘where have those been.’ I don’t like it, but I try to focus on lower abs because of that.”

Will she marry Matt Bellamy? “It’s a long engagement. I think the best part is that knowing you’re working towards the idea of a commitment that is hopefully as long of a stretch as you can pull it and forever seems beautiful … I think it’s a real journey. There is a traditional meet, fall in love, get married, have children. And I am working on a very non-traditional life, and it’s just happening that way. But I look forward to the wedding day because when that happens to me, marriage what I really love about it is bringing the families together, and the kids.”

[From Women’s Health]

This interview isn’t much, so I’m focusing on Kate’s ab talk. Pilates is supposed to be very good for the abs, and I keep meaning to check out a class (if gyms would ever schedule them at a better time). Crunches are so boring, so I refuse to do them. You know what really helps me with ab development? Elbow planks. They’re torture, but they hit so many different areas (abs, delts, quads, back) and work like crazy.

Kate has spoken before about her unconventional” family life. This is more of the same. Most of us would go nuts after being asked about marriage in every interview. Especially if what we really wanted to do is to promote workout clothing.

Kate Hudson

Photos courtesy of Women’s Health, Fame/Flynet & WENN

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42 Responses to “Kate Hudson: ‘The ab workout I love cause I hate it so much, is Pilates’”

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  1. GiGi says:

    I just joined a gym two weeks ago. I’ve never been a gym person (because I was a dancer, I was always just more comfortable in the studio) but I am LOVING it. They have a different class every day of the week at 9am. So I can drop my kids off at school and it’s right on my way home. For me, the class that’s been toughest on my abs has been the strength class. It’s just freeweights in several different exercises, but doing arm/leg extensions from a plank with an 8 pound weight? I haven’t been able to laugh for a week, I’m so sore, lol!

    And her workout gear is cute. I’m not sure how I feel about her, in general, but she has one of those faces that make you smile.

    • GoodNamesAllTaken says:

      Have you tried Barre classes? Mixture of ballet, Pilates and yoga. Lots of planks, very tough. I love it.

    • Esmom says:

      Gigi, Strength class like you describe has been my favorite thing the past couple years, too. I started it only because I moved and lost the best Pilates teacher ever. I think I was in the best shape of my life — and definitely more energized — when I was doing Pilates regularly, for about 7 years.

      GoodNames, Barre is all the rage here and the strength class teacher I mentioned about just opened a new studio that’s centered around the barre concept. I’m excited to try it, I’ve heard it’s killer.

    • LAK says:

      Due to the fact that i take dance training everyday, i tend to find that pilates/Ballet Barre do nothing for me. The only yoga that feels like i’m exercising my body is Ashtanga. The funny thing is that i never set out to use dance training as a form of exercise. i simply wanted to have fun dance classes after the end of my hockey career and before you know it, i’m actually stronger and in better shape than when i played hockey. go figure.

      • GoodNamesAllTaken says:

        I wish I could find fun dance classes where I live. They just don’t have them. I went to a spa once where they had great classes and you learned a routine and all danced together. It made the hour seem like five minutes.

  2. Yellowshaba says:

    Ive always thought she had a sexy shape, she looks amazing.. Im engaged also with absolutely no plans or rush to wed, and the constant “when are you guys gonna get married?” I get Is super annoying. I couldnt imagine being in the spotlight and haveing it be THE topic of conversation

  3. sigh((s)) says:

    Why does it seem like everyone in Hollywood’s shape has turned from hourglass into straight up and down board? No wonder Sofia Vergara is so popular with the men. She’s the only one that isn’t shaped like a 12 year old boy.

    • Loopy says:

      I have to agree, i dont find her shape remotely attractive. Yes she is fit but there is no feminine quality there.

    • Rhiley says:

      I totally agree too. She is shaped like a little boy. As much as the Kardashians drive me crazy, I would much rather have their curves any day rather than a pale, shapeless figure.

      • Artemis says:

        Are you saying don’t have their curves? You’re not an hourglass yourself yet you judge women who aren’t either??? I just…can’t. Love yourself girl.

    • Artemis says:

      Eww at the sexism. Educate yourself.

      Hourglass is very rare for starters. And it’s not so great as it’s difficult to find the right clothes that complement the shape. See Kim and Sofia. One can’t seem to find the right clothes (or size for that matter) and the other has a standard look from which she never deviates. Boring.

      A lot of times, people type themselves an hourglass but they are far from it. Also, clothing and corseting these days can give one the illusion of an hourglass but again, that shape is very hard to come by (even with corseting as you ‘spring back’ to your real shape after you quit the practice). If you’re a bit overweight, your shape will suffer. Maintenance is key (Nigella is a ‘perfect’ hourglass in that aspect).

      Box, pear and apple are much more common and are all lovely shapes. Women and femininity comes in many shapes, personalities etc. Time to stop shaming women for things that are out of their control and really are nothing to be embarrassed about.

      • littlemissnaughty says:

        Word. I actually have an hourglass shape and while I like it in general, I agree that it is damn near impossible to find clothes that fit and emphasize the right areas. I like a cute blouse for the office but the ones that actually fit (i.e. accentuate the waist and don’t have the girls busting out) are super boring in style. The cute ones NEVER fit me. Same with jeans. Ugh.

        Whenever someone sh*ts on a particular body shape, I ask myself why. Who cares if Kate Hudson has smaller hips? We all prefer different looks but as soon as you spread the word that you dislike this or that shape, you’ll insult someone. For why???

      • G. says:

        Can we stop with this crap? It’s not a freaking competition.
        I have a body type somewhat similar to Kate’s. I hate it. I can’t do anything about the lack of curves. I would love some hips. But I can’t do anything about it other than to work with what I have, just like every other body type.
        Every time these comments come up, it always makes SOMEONE feel like crap. And it’s so completely unnecessary.

      • Artemis says:

        I was a slightly overweight hourglass (with my body extra weight doesn’t look right at all!) and finding clothes was a mess. If it fits at my stomach then it doesn’t at my boobs. My hips and bum were a nightmare to work with (always a gap at the back of my jeans). Ugh. I slimmed down a lot and so did my boobs but yeah, finding clothes is still slightly annoying. My friend who is pear-shaped can wear the shit out of a t-shirt and jeans. And my box-y friend can wear anything, she’s like a model in that way. Hourglass is ‘overrated’ lol, I still love my body though…

        I think all shapes have their advantages and disadvantages so I don’t get this praise of one particular shape that isn’t even all that great (meaning ‘perfect’) or common!? Weight/body and sexuality are so controlled in this society, fuck’s sake.

      • Veronica says:

        Agreed. I’m an hourglass shape and its a pain to shop sometimes. I was relieved when my breasts dropped down to a B/C-cup when I lost weight because shirt fitting was a total bitch before. I’m fine with being more “hourglassy” these days than true hourglass for that reason alone.

        (This being said, the model trend is annoying as hell because it’s even rarer, making up only 2% of the female population.)

      • JaySay says:

        @ARTEMIS – you really need to read a book and figure out what “sexism” means before you start throwing that word around. What is with young girls these days thinking that sexism means not agreeing/supporting other women? In the words of the great Inigo Montoya (look it up): I don’t think that word means what you think it means.

      • Lauraq says:

        Agreed-I have a natural hourglass and finding jeans that fit properly in all areas is super annoying! But I can’t lie, I love my shape.

    • Mean Hannah says:

      Wow – so much meanness in your comment! So women with small breasts, some cancer survivors who did not opt for reconstruction, women with straight hips and flatter butts are NOT women?!? What about women who can’t conceive?!? How did I not know that they are all pubescent boys!!!

      I came here to comment that she looks terrible in the cover – instead of her usual sunny face, it looks like she’s recovering from a bad cold and they slapped on a shade too light foundation on her. Also, those orange shorts look like diapers, but she is a pretty WOMAN with a nice body.

      BTW, do you have kids? Some women can lose their hourglass shape after babies – you know, expanded waist and all.

    • sigh((s)) says:

      Good god. I more meant that whatever training system all the celebs seem to be using are turning their figures into those with less curves. Look at women’s figures in the 20’s, then the 40’s, then the 70’s and so on. Exercise fads change how we are shaped overall.

      I’m so sorry if I put out a pithy comment that wasn’t 3 paragraphs long explaining every nuance of exactly the manner in which I was commenting while simultaneously excluding every body type that anyone else could possibly have, apologizing profusely for offending every woman in the entire universe who wasn’t Sofia Verga and screaming in caps that I wasn’t shaming anyone. How dare I make a comment about someone’s figure on a gossip blog that frequently asks me if I think someone is cute or fug?

      For the record, I’m actually a very slender, petite woman myself. Hourglass does not have to mean huge breasts and butt. You can be slender and still have a higher waist to hip ratio. I’m probably often mistaken for a 12 year old boy. So apparently I’m shaming myself.
      And yes, I have given birth. I know what bearing children can do to your body.

      • Artemis says:

        Ugh save it.
        No amount of exercise or diet can change your body. You can change the muscles and fat (thickness/leanness) but you cannot change your hips etc. It’s physically impossible without surgery. You cannot blame women for their body shape nor should you in the first place.

        Implying that Sofia’s body shape is the reason she’s so desirable with men. Maybe she’s just beautiful? Jolie is still considered one of the most beautiful people and she has no curves (boobs yes, but no curves). Men likes all sorts of women just like women like all sorts of men.

        You are indeed shaming yourself, as do many women. Many women lament about desiring/praising hourglass and put down other body types so it’s quite clear that they themselves are NOT hourglass. Which doesn’t make sense.

        Own your comment.

      • sigh((s)) says:

        You really think that you can’t change your body through exercise? Really? Tell me how Tom Hardy changed his normal physique into what he did for Bane? Yes, your body has a genetic tendency towards a certain shape, but to say that nothing you do or what you put into your body will alter that state is ridiculous.

        And no, I’m not shaming myself. I actually have a very slender hourglass figure, ie I have a defined waist, hips and bust. Even though I’m small. I could tone up here and there, but generally I’m pleased with my figure. Even when I, at times have had less hourglass I was happy with my figure.

        And no where did I state that ALL men love Sofia Vergara. I was merely pointing out that in HOLLYWOOD, she seems to be an outlier in regards to body shape. And that men respond to that. You can talk til your blue in the face about how men like different types of women. Of course they do. As do women. Everyone has a preference. Of course people have different likes. But GENERALLY, men respond more to her type of figure. I know that’s not being politically correct. But it’s nature. The same way GENERALLY women respond to broad shoulders and a more chiseled jawline. I didn’t say all men. Didn’t say all women.

        And yes, I am OWNING my comment. It was a pithy GENERALISTIC statement on a GOSSIP blog.

        Not everything and everyone in this world is casting “blame” or “shame”.

      • littlemissnaughty says:

        Actually, you cannot go from an apple to a pear through excercise. So no, the shape you’re born with is the shape you keep unless you’re starving yourself or gaining a lot of weight. You can work towards an hourglass shape but there are limits and if you don’t have the hips, you don’t have the hips. You really think that, say, Amal Allamudin can achieve an hourglass shape through excercising? Not going to happen.

        And Tom Hardy just bulked up, he went big. I can do that too but I will still have relatively wide hips and shoulders so unless I become very overweight, that’s not changing.

      • sigh((s)) says:

        You won’t be able to completely change your basic type, of course, but you can alter it. Especially with weight training.

  4. MrsBPitt says:

    Kate only has herself to blame for her career demise… Here is the evidence:

    2002……….The Four Feathers
    2003……….How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
    2003……….Alex and Emma
    2003……….Le Divorce
    2004……….Raising Helen
    2005……….The Skeleton Key
    2006……….You,Me and Dupree
    2008……….Fool’s Gold and My Best Friends Girl
    2009………Bride Wars and Nine
    2010………The Killer Inside Me
    2011……….A Little Bit of Heaven and Something Borrowed
    There’s more but, you get it! YOUR MOVIES SUCK!

    • FLORC says:

      A few were ok. She takes bad roles though. Or rather those are all she’s offered.

    • Norman Bates' Mother says:

      I should probably be ashamed of myself but I really enjoyed The Skeleton Key. I plan to re-watch it in the near future. But the rom-coms she was in were all pretty bad even for this genre. You, Me and Dupree was probably the worst I’ve ever watched.

    • Heather H says:

      I have not seen any of them after How to Lose a guy in 10 days (which was dumb)

    • ManchurianGlobal says:

      I would strike the Skeleton Key off the list. That movie was good, IMO! She also did Almost Famous, but I suppose that wasn’t her movie (it was ensemble), so it doesn’t count. IMO, she’s no different than Aniston, doing the same movies over and over.

      Still like her though, don’t know why.

  5. Dids says:

    PILATES WAS A REVELATION FOR ME!!!!!!!!!

    • Esmom says:

      I have to agree. Although I’ve found that an instructor can make or break the experience for me. I suppose I could do it on my own, I have tried, but it’s just not the same for me.

  6. eribra says:

    My neighbor was a Pilates instructor, she is 67/70 ish and I swear to god her body is amazing. Like the rest of us suburban doughy moms are wearing our husband’s tee shirts to garden in and she is sporting a sports bra and shorts looking FINE! I am short and square, sponge Bob and muscle up like a gymnast when I do exercise, she swears Pilates would make me lean and give me a waist. But I am lazy so not happening.

  7. Estella says:

    I almost made the mistake of ordering from the site she shills, Fabletics. Though the clothes look super cute and practical for exercising, they bill your credit card every month whether you make a purchase or not. I am glad I read the fine print and backed out my credit card info. Anyway, I think this is a bad picture as Kate has a cute face and body. I am happy she admits to working for those abs after babies. Also, I loved the Skeleton Key (but I am a huge b-horror fan)! Oh and Kurt Russell forever!

    • Hissyfit says:

      It’s a monthly subscription which probably has automatic renew just like almost every monthly box subs right now. Her stuff looks really cute but I read from the comments that the quality is terrible.

    • Lauren says:

      Oh, wow! Good to know! I almost got sucked in to ordering from her site too, but I had a feeling the quality wasn’t great. I didn’t get far enough to read all the fine print. I didn’t realize it’s a monthly thing. I run 100 miles a month, but I don’t need new running clothes EVERY SINGLE month!

  8. Size Does Matter says:

    I love Pilates. The classes I take tone everything, but every move also targets the core. You can buy a Pilates ring and get a great workout at home with a minimal investment. Some of the rings have workouts printed right inside them, so all you need is the ring and a little floor space.

  9. Luciana says:

    She looks amazing in the cover, so fresh and young! It’s hard work but she still keeps her body from “How to loose a guy in 10 days”. That yellow dress, remember?

    As for her career, well, she’s a product of nepotism. She has gone far from others (see Emma Roberts o Lily Collins) with her Oscar nomination but she is not talented enough to have a “killer career”.

    • kri says:

      I have started pole fitness classes in addition to doing my 5 mile runs. it is pure pain. I am in love with it. The Vertical Barre class starts thursday, and I am anticipating blood, sweat and tears. I can’t wait. The changes I have seen in my stregth levels in just a few weeks are crazy.

  10. MAC says:

    Her words “It’s a long engagement. I think the best part is that knowing you’re working towards the idea of a commitment…”

    What is having a child together?

    She is technically an actor because she has been in movies. But she is not really an actor. When did Meryl Streep sell her abs? Same with Jessica Alba they are more of celeberties in my mind. Her acting door was opened by her family. Not by her.

    I am glad she is promoting fitness although only for her own financial gain.

  11. Veronica says:

    I appreciate the fact that’s up front about the fact that certain exercises can seriously suck, and it’s the long term payoff you have to focus on. I love my gym, but I fully admit that I can be pretty lazy about certain types if exercise. Ab workouts can be a real bitch because you feel the burn so fast, and it takes a lot of discipline.