(Sony)
2003
What is it?
A half-hour workout from Kathy Smith that uses a stability, or balance ball. It covers abs, back and the lower body.
Who is it for?
Beginning exercisers who want a gentle but effective toning workout. You will need a stability ball and, for one exercise (wall squats), an empty wall. If you have wood floors, it is also a good idea to have a mat.
What to expect:
Stability balls have been around for a while now under many different names - Swiss balls, balance balls and in Kathy's Smith's workout, "Shaper Balls." They're great for gentle toning workouts, and work especially well with people who are just getting into fitness since they help strengthen the core along with the other, primary muscles being worked. Smith shows a variety of exercises in beginning and intermediate/ advanced versions. (She uses another instructor for the more difficult form. The guy is quite a bit shorter than she is, but well built, so at times you feel like you are looking into a funhouse mirror.) People who have been using a stability ball for any length of time will probably find the majority of these exercises pretty easy, and chances are the newbies will outgrow it fairly quickly too. There are, however, some good moves that are definite keepers - the wall squats with the ball, for example, and the glute/ hamstring exercise where you're on your back and your feet are on the ball. (By the way, this is not a full body program - you will have to look elsewhere to tone your upper body.) If you want an easy introduction to exercise, this workout will start to tone your abs and lower body, and you'll want to use some of the moves long after you've outgrown the program as a whole.