Princess Kate's 'challenging' lesson in core strength for women in their 40s revealed
- ladieswhocrunch
- Jul 2
- 2 min read
The Princess of Wales flexed her core strength on a previous royal engagement
By Katie Daly, 1st July 2025 Kate Middleton's 'challenging' lesson in core strength for women in their 40s unearthed | HELLO!
It is no secret that the Princess of Wales has a natural flair and passion for sports. However, on a long-forgotten royal outing in 2016, Kate, 43, was seen taking part in a tennis workshop with Andy Murray's mother Judy at Craigmount High School in Edinburgh, where she sat on the ground with her legs bent and arms in the air.
The sporty move showed Kate's incredible core strength as she held her body at a 60-degree angle with ease. Personal trainer and founder of Ladies Who Crunch, Nancy Best, says it is no mean feat.
Kate's 'challenging' exercise
"This position is a variation of a V-sit with an overhead reach," Nancy explains. "This is a dynamic exercise that targets multiple muscle groups, including the transverse abdominals and the internal obliques."
Nancy says that to develop the strength to hold this position, compound exercises are an excellent place to start.
"They often get overlooked because they don't get marketed as specific 'ab' exercises, but arguably they are even more effective for improving core stability, as you're recruiting multiple muscle groups in a movement," the PT explains.
"I recommend combining resistance-based exercises like a dumbbell goblet squat with isometric core movements like planks, to challenge your body.
"Once you’ve laid the foundations, you can start adding in more advanced movements that test your rotational and anti-rotational strength. Rotational core exercises include Russian twists and bicycle crunches, whereas anti-rotation movements work on stabilising the body, with examples like bird dogs and plank shoulder taps."
Nancy adds that Kate's mobility adds to her ability to sustain a V-sit. She explains: "Her hip flexors, hamstrings, and shoulders are all engaged in this position, but she looks comfortable and in control. Dedicating time to improving functional range of motion will help avoid tight muscles and stiff joints."
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