Looking for a two-for-one move? Try this abs and triceps variation using a stability ball! Although this is a triceps move, your abs are fully engaged to keep you balanced, allowing you to work two areas at once; feeling the burn in your entire upper body.
For directions on how to do this multitasking move, read more
Incorporating a stability ball into your workouts is an easy way to challenge even the most basic exercise. Whether you're lying on a stability ball or simply holding it, you'll quickly find how much harder your body has to work — especially when it comes to ab exercises! Just in time for the oncoming bikini season, we're taking you through a series of ab exercises that really focus on strengthening and toning your entire core. Hit play and get ready to feel the burn!
You may think it's all fun and games sitting on a stability ball while you work, but you should implement these important guidelines to help protect yourself from accidental injury. While the stability ball has its advantages, you should avoid using one if you have an acute back injury, especially if your quadratus lumborum, the major back muscle that runs from your 12th rib to the top of your pelvis, is compromised. The ball offers no back support, forcing you to heavily depend on the QL for support. If you notice any sharp or discomforting pain, forgo the ball for an ergonomic chair.
Five Rules For Proper Stability Ball Usage:
If you enjoyed the bikini body and body toning video workouts from the Tone It Up group, here's a stability ball workout video from Karena and Katrina.
To see detailed descriptions of the exercise moves, read more
The following post was written by New York-based trainer David Kirsch.
Has your job become a "desk sentence?" With deadlines, big projects, and upcoming presentations, fitting in exercise can be challenging — especially when you are trapped within a small cubicle from 9-5. But that's no excuse! All you working moms, busy executives, and career-focused professionals: if you have a commitment to wellness, you can make time for daily exercise even at work!
One of my clients recently read a New York Times article about using a stability ball as a chair and was curious of my take on it . . .
Using a stability ball as a chair is a great way to engage your core muscles all day long. It's also a constant reminder to exercise. Here are some other moves you can do when you are having some downtime in the office . . .
So trade in your chair for a stability ball!
For more complete office workouts, check out The Ultimate New York Diet.
Want more on Kirsching the Office? Check out my blog and learn how to make your desk a wellness zone.
Here are the details on the four stability ball exercises mentioned above:
For more tips, be sure to check out all of David's posts here on FitSugar.
Looking for a way to amp up your ab work? Then get on the ball! An inflatable rubber stability ball may look like a toy, but it's a great way to make your workout harder.
There are so many ways to use them, from torso stretches to thigh twists to arm-toning moves and, of course, ab work — the list just goes on and on. No wonder stability balls are so popular. Still, I know plenty of people who've never used one. How about you?
You love Jessica Biel; we know that. I mean, for three years running she's been voted the fittest female celebrity by you, our readers. It's easy to see why. Jessica always looks toned, slim, and strong. We already know how Jessica keeps her arms in shape, and now we know how she works those abs. Trainer Ramona Braganza shared with Us Magazine the details of how she kept Jessica in shape while filming the A-Team: "Jessica is in great shape. She maintains her body and doesn't necessarily have to train every day." Check out some of the exercises Braganza did with Jessica to work those abs. Added bonus: they're easy enough to do in your own home!
Source: Getty
We all know and love traditional stability balls but do you find it really annoying that they never stay put? Balls are always rolling all over the place at my gym -- It's so frustrating!
The Ballast Ball ($59.95, includes foot pump and workout DVD) is a weighted stability ball that stays where you put it. This ball makes it possible to perform new exercises and allows for better execution of a wide variety of seated, lying, side-lying and traveling exercises involving dumbbells, kettlebells, cable pulley systems and medicine balls. What's even more? The ball stacks easily, which means no more chasing them around the gym. Other than using the ball as a chair or bench, you can also perform throwing, receiving, lifting and shifting drills in another manner than using just weighted medicine balls.
I love doing circuits with the stability ball but it's a real pain to have to go find the ball after using it, with the BOSO Ballast Ball, this is no longer an issue. Also, I don't know about you but exercise balls are not typically part of my decor at home (despite my love for fitness), so I get totally frustrated when my stability ball rolls itself all over my house. If you have a home gym, I highly recommend the ballast ball because it stays where you put it. Buy one from Bosu.com.
