Exercise Balls For Dummies
Book image
Explore Book Buy On Amazon

Doing abdominal crunches with an exercise ball places the emphasis not only on the abs but also on the legs, butt, and hips. By grasping the ball between your knees, the larger abdominal muscles (or outer abdominals) get used a lot more intensely. This exercise focuses on working the upper body and training your core.

Lying on the floor, rest your lower legs on the ball.

Lying on the floor, rest your lower legs on the ball.

Your legs should be at a 90-degree angle, or very close.

As you tighten your abdominals, grasp the ball between your legs and pull toward you, lifting the ball from the floor.

Relax your neck as you curl up into a crunch.

With your hands on either side of your head, slowly lift your shoulders from the floor toward your knees.

With your hands on either side of your head, slowly lift your shoulders from the floor toward your knees.

Exhale as you curl up into the crunch.

Hold the lift for a few seconds and slowly roll your shoulders back to the floor.

Inhale as you release back down. Complete ten repetitions.

About This Article

This article is from the book:

About the book author:

LaReine Chabut is a well-known fitness expert who has her International Sports Sciences Association certification and her American Fitness and Aerobics certification.

This article can be found in the category: