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Product Fave: Exercise Ball

August 16, 2010

If there is one fitness product I am happy to have invested in, it's my exercise ball. While treadmills and ellipticals have seen their share of both dust and wearout, the exercise ball has always been a true friend. I think it's largely due to its accessibility and ease of use. Many balls these days come with instructions and DVDs, so you can find a few great moves and perfect them day by day. I find Page Waehner of About.com Exercise a great resource for new fitness routines. Browse the web for your favorites, but you can do a few simple moves continuously and see significant results very quickly.

There are a number of great uses for this exercise ball:

• Working on your core and strengthening your abdominal muscles. If your core is strong, you can often prevent back injury, and your overall fitness level will improve. Strong abdominals are extremely helpful to women planning to give birth. And don't forget about endurance - strong abs are the foundation of everything. Simple crunches while supporting your lower back by the ball are a great part of any fitness routine.
• Don't forget the other muscles. Lunges and push-ups using the exercise ball are more controlled, as the ball offers both more resistance and more support.
• Stretching is easier and more fun using an exercise ball. There are a number of stretches you can do for legs, hips and back using the ball.
• I often call this ball a yoga ball, because of its excellent use for a variety of yoga positions. It will help you achieve better posture and improve your balance and coordination.
• Now for the fun uses. You can sit on the ball in place of your favorite chair. Even while sitting on this exercise ball, you will be slightly improving your core, since sitting on it will require some balancing from you. My kids love the ball as the "giant ball to roll", so there are many kids activities with the ball - rolling, bouncing, tossing. And that's the best thing about this product - it's useful and FUN!

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