The Best Exercise Balls For Abdominals

Exercise balls used during abdominal workouts will help you strengthen your core and abdominal muscles. Incorporating the various types of balls into your workout help to work multiple muscle groups, increase exercise intensity and make some movements easier to perform. The best balls for abdominal workouts depend on the type of exercises you are performing.

Stability

Stability balls, also referred to as Swiss balls, are large balls that range in size from 12 to 30 inches in diameter. Choose the appropriate size that allows you to sit with your knees bent to a 90-degree angle. Stability balls increase your range of motion during abdominal exercises by allowing you to move the body past the normal extension when performing the movements on the floor. Some movements on the stability ball work the abdominals while improving your balance.

Medicine

Medicine balls are handheld weighted balls that range in size from 4 lbs. to 20 lbs. These balls have a hard surface and add resistance and intensity to abdominal workouts when you hold them for extra weight. These balls are small enough to place between your knees while performing abdominal crunches. Lifting your legs during each crunch will work your lower body, in addition to strengthening your abdominals. Medicine balls also work the side oblique muscles when you incorporate twisting movements while performing crunches and other abdominal-strengthening movements.

Miniature Stability

A miniature stability ball is a small exercise ball that is 6 to 9 inches in diameter. These balls are soft, so you can place them under your back or between your legs to add resistance and increase your range of motion. The ball is comfortable, so it squishes with your body movements. Miniature stability balls allow you to perform abdominal exercises on the floor with the same benefits of using a large stability ball. The miniature balls have the added benefit of being small enough to take with you when traveling.

BOSU

A BOSU ball is a specialized exercise ball that has the shape of one-half of a stability ball with a hard, flat surface. Exercises using the BOSU with the ball side facing up works similar to a stability ball. Workouts with the platform side up engage the core and abdominal muscles to improve balance and stability. The BOSU ball may be difficult to use at first, especially standing on the platform side. Use the ball next to a wall or chair so you can hold on for support until your fitness and strength improve.