Exercise Ball Ab Workouts

Posts Tagged ‘pilates balls’

Thinking about an exercise ball for ab workouts?  Wondering if something that looks so easy can really be a workout…or even work?

Yes, you can get a good workout on an exercise ball, and it can firm and tone your abs and strengthen your core.  Leaving you strong, sleek and sexy.

Exercise ball workouts may look easy, but you’ll find that they really do target your core — no matter what part of your body you are exercising!

Exercise Balls By Any Other Name…

Exercise balls are also known under the names fitness, pilates, stability, Swiss and balance balls.  They are not the same, however, as medicine balls.

These rubbery round objects some in 4 basic sizes:  45 cm, 55 cm, 65 cm and 75 cm.  The size you need is based on how tall you are, as well as how long your legs are.  If you’re under 5′ 4″ you may want to try the 45 cm ball; if you’re over 6′ tall, you might want a 75 cm ball.   Between the two heights, your ball will depend on the length of your legs (long legs – larger ball size).

Click to shop for fitness balls at great prices.

Ab Workouts – Core Workouts

So you have a ball (or have one on order); what kinds of ab and core exercises can you do?  For one, just sit on the ball with your core pulled up; you’ll feel in about 10 seconds flat how even sitting on the ball can tone your core!

You can check out the exercise ball DVDs; I personally own several of the DVDs I have listed and think they’re great.  If you’re a true beginner, however, I can’t think of a better DVD to get you started than the Stability Ball Workout for Dummies.

There are DVDs for every preference — for abs, Pilates, yoga, stretching and even cardio!

Browse, Click and Buy

So go ahead; browse this site and find the information you need, along with a ball and a DVD or two to get you started.  On the right side of the page at the top is where you can browse the various categories.  Can’t find what you want?  The search box is right above it.

Enjoy learning about exercise balls, then buy the one that’s right for you!

The stability ball is a great addition to any workout program, it can actually speed up the process of your work outs, because it gives the body additional work to do.  And that additional work translates to a better workout for your body!

A stability ball is also known by other names — exercise ball, pilates ball, fitness ball, yoga ball…you get the idea.  The name may change, but the results are just as sweet!

Need some reasons to add this to your daily life?  I have more than that — I have 4 reasons.  Let’s take a look.

Reason #1:  It’s Easy to Use

This ball is a great and easy tool to you use, and can actually increase the speed in which you can switch exercises. Why? Because since this ball is basically used in every exercise you can do, it saves you time when having to switch.

Reason #2:  Multiple Uses

Not only can a stability ball be used as a weight bench (not to mention a great support tool) it can also be combined with other types of work outs, such as yoga, pilates, and stretching.

You can even just sit on it while you are at work, and at home watching some t.v.  And if you want to have a little fun, then start bouncing it (carefully) around your room; you’ll have a blast, and work out your leg muscles in the process.

Just expect people to ask you what that thumping was, and why you seem out of breath… 

Reason #3:  Adds Intensity

Since this ball increases the difficulty of all your exercises it naturally increase the intensity.  Why?  Because it will use more muscle groups to get the same thing done that would have only taken one muscle group before.

It has to do with the fact that the stability ball is an unstable surface, and your muscles are constantly trying to work harder, to keep yourself balanced.

Reason #4:  Targets a lot of Muscles

Instead of working on 1 muscle group at a time, you will work on several with the ball in tow. The reason for this is because you are constantly using other muscle groups to keep yourself stable on it’s unstable round surface.

This will speed up your work outs, and increase the amount of fat you are burning, thus increase your calories burnt for that day. Meaning, if you add the ball to your program, you are going to lose more fat quicker, than if you did the workouts without one.

Reason #5:  Price of a Stability Ball

OK, I said in the beginning that I’d give you 4 reasons, but here’s a 5th — price.  Stability balls are exceedingly inexpensive — less than $20 gets you a great one that will last years (and takes up very little space).

As you can see this exercise ball has many uses, and reasons why you should be adding it to your daily work out if you have not already.

This “wonder ball” is easy to use.  You can also use it in many ways to improve your life.  A fitness ball adds a great deal of intensity to any workout, since it uses multiple muscle groups.  The result?  You have an increased workout, and will reach your goals faster.

Just do it — add a stability ball to your exercise routine!

Fitness balls have been around for a long time, but it’s just recently that they have been recognized as giving a great workout.  The balls, also known as “balance balls” and “pilates balls”  can tone and stabilize your core, giving your abs a sleek and sexy look.

You can also use these exercise balls for balance, for cardio and for a workout in general.  No doubt about it, this is one flexible piece of exercise equipment — and even better, it’s inexpensive!

Fitness ball exercises are fabulous for anyone who trying to lose weight, as well as for anyone who just wants to become more limber.

What Are Fitness Balls?

It is a large air-filled ball, and it comes in various sizes for people of various heights.  The fitness balls range in size from around 50 cm to 65 cm (25 to 34 inches) in diameter.

For the most part, you either lay or sit on the ball.  However, some exercises have you laying on the floor, or even standing.

Using Balance Balls for Stability

The balance ball develops the stability (and balance) you already have.  Need help in that department?  Not to worry, a fitness ball helps to improve your balance and coordination!

These exercise balls look way too easy to be a fitness routine, but you’d be really surprise at the kind of workout you can get.  Don’t believe me?  Just try sitting on one!  In order to stay balanced and not slip off, your have to work your core muscles.

It’s also a low-impact workout, so it’s wonderful for anyone with either limited mobility or recovering from an injury.

Core Workout

Fitness balls are excellent for working your core muscles – the area from your hips up to your ribcage.  In fact, it’s one of the best pieces of exercise equipment you can own for strengthening your core!

What’s cool about your core is that even if you haven’t lost weight yet, toning this area automatically makes you look slimmer!  And just about any exercise you do while sitting on the ball works your core, even if it actually targets another area.

If you can only own one piece of equipment, make it a fitness ball.  It’s inexpensive, doesn’t take up much room…and it works!