(Anchor Bay)
2003
What is it?
A 45-minute, full-body exercise session built around the stability ball. Liz Gilles instructs.
Who is it for?
Beginning to intermediate exercisers. Along with a stability ball, you will also need at least one pair of 3 to 10-pound dumbbells. (Two sets of different weights are optimal.)
What to expect:
If you've ever wondered how to get started with a stability ball, this entry in the Dummies series makes a good introduction. Liz Gilles, a Pilates and stability ball expert, starts off with the basics - choosing the right size ball, blowing it up, etc. After a quick warm-up, she then leads you through 15 exercises that target different areas of your body. Included are powerful lower body exercises such as front and side lunges, arm and chest moves and a couple of great ab exercises to supplement the classic ball crunch. What makes these moves different from doing them without the ball? If you pay attention to your core muscles, you'll feel it - along with the muscle targeted, your trunk is constantly working. The addition of the stability ball makes the exercises less familiar too, and helps you to fatigue more quickly. You get something for every part of your body with this routine. It's a creative change from your normal exercise program.