I bought one of those huge air-filled exercise balls today.

[LeftyFingerPop]

I'm going to keep it by my computer chair to rest my ashtray on. :P

But seriously, has anyone ever used one? Are they any good? I'm looking to do some ab work, but I want a lot of support for my back...

[XemaSab]

1. I think keeping yourself on top of them

works out your abs and keeps your back straight naturally. :shrug:

[LeftyFingerPop]

4. Yes...the reason that...

I hate sit-ups and crunches is the stress it puts on your lower back. I am picturing this being firm enough to support my weight, but flexible enough to drive itself into my back and support it if I get on top of it.

[MissB]

2. What you really need is this...

http://www.gaiam.com/retail/product/95-1004?CMP=KNC-booyah&atlas=true&gcid=S18376x001&keyword=exercise%20ball%20chair

[LeftyFingerPop]

7. Now this looks pretty cool...

thank you for posting this ! :hi:

[MissB]

8. You're welcome.

I haven't bought one for myself yet, but I've used a friend's. They are still a challenge - more so than you'd think.

[lost-in-nj]

3. Yeah try to sit on it

and keep your feet off the ground.....
I use one in my workout routine
I'll bet you can find excersises on line


good luck!


lost

[LeftyFingerPop]

5. That motion works the abs?

I haven't inflated it yet... :hi:

[Shine]

6. I have one, but it mostly sits, unused in our bedroom corner, collecting dust

sometimes I use it to stretch on and to do ab exercises but that's about it.

[LeftyFingerPop]

9. Will it...

balance a bottle of beer on it? Because every piece of exercise equipment I have ever bought ends up as a clothes line or beer holding device :rofl:

[Shine]

10. Probably not, sadly

:D

[Parche]

11. Excercise Balls

My balls get excercise every night............:hi:

[lost-in-nj]

12. pffffttt

:spray: :spray:

lost

[LeftyFingerPop]

15. Well...

nevermind. :rofl: :rofl: :hi:

[Fleshdancer]

13. Try this link for good exercise ideas

http://www.askmen.com/sports/fitness_top_ten/36_fitness_list.html

The link has pictures which are useful as well as excercises that target other body parts. Here is what they list for ab work:

Core crunchers
What it's for: Abs and core muscles

How to do it: Get on your knees, bend at the waist and rest your elbows on the ball. Squeezing your abs, roll the ball forward until your upper body and thighs form a straight line. Roll back to starting position.

Basic crunches
What it's for: Abs

How to do it: With your feet flat on the floor, place your lower back on the ball, and your upper body and thighs parallel to the floor. Do crunches as usual, lifting only your shoulders and upper back off the ball, using your abs.

Abdominal rolls
What it's for: Abs

How to do it: Lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor. Place the ball on your thighs, right near your knees, and your hands on top of ball. Lift your shoulder blades off the floor, rolling the ball to the top of your knees, pause, then go back to the starting position.

[LeftyFingerPop]

14. Thanks a lot Gloria...

I just did the basic crunches with a good burn. I will try the others in a minute...thanks again. :hi: :thumbsup: