Fitness balls, also called exercise balls, stability balls or balance balls, are portable, inexpensive pieces of fitness equipment you can use to tone every part of your body. However, if you don't want to shell out money for DVDs or exercise books, finding workouts can be a little difficult. However, there's the internet, where you can find instructions for using your fitness ball to its greatest effect.
Mayo Clinic Workout Videos
Mayo Clinic, one of America's most prestigious hospitals, has a website devoted to healthy living. MayoClinic.com's stability ball section is a good choice for beginners, because it offers videos for seven different stability ball workouts, with detailed instructions from top fitness professionals, and not just the pictures and text you might find on other websites. The clinic recommends choosing the right ball for your height and inflating it so that when you sit on it, your knees are at a 90 degree angle.
Flexibility Training from Ace Fitness
Stretching and flexibility is a crucial element for any fitness regimen. Acefitness.com, the official web presence of the American Council on Exercise, offers a sample fitness ball flexibility workout. The document, in PDF format so you can print it and hang it up in your home gym, has detailed instructions and is a good choice for beginners.
General Stability Exercises from Fitness Magazine
If you're interested in building a well-rounded routine using your fitness ball, one which includes cardio and strength training, check out the list of Top 8 stability ball exercises from "Fitness Magazine." This slideshow, available on the "Fitness Magazine" website, includes leg exercises such as squats, arm exercises such as push-ups, and core exercises such as crunches, as well as cardio exercises such the Frog Jump.
Stability Ball Exercise for Back Pain
If you suffer from back pain, exercising with a stability ball may help. Spine-Health's website has a list of exercises physical therapists commonly prescribe for those recovering from back problems, including exercises such as hip circles, stretches and extensions. If you are under the care of a doctor or physical therapist, or if you've suffered from an injury, always involve your health-care provider in your recovery and ask his or her advice before starting any knew exercise program.
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