Fitness ball...

[ObscureDame]

O.K....

Anyone own a fitness ball? I just bought one this past weekend because
I saw it being used on a show and that it would be a great addition to my
pilates. Well I don't know how to use the darn thing. I had more of a work out trying to stay on it to do some sort of excersizes. First time i got on i did a back flip, i've never been able to do a back flip..*laughs.* So does any one know some pointers or a web site that has different positions on how to use this thing please let me know. I told my husband if worst comes to worst...i'll use it as a chair..it is pretty comfy. :)

[scorpioanne]

I would suggest you try to find a Pilates dvd that would show you how to do the exercises on the ball. For instance you can do the hundreds on the ball and use it in "rolling like a ball". Some exercises are earier than others on the ball and others are more of a challenge. My pilates teacher has a ball class as well as regular mat classes.

[shopaholic]

I was searching DVD's and thought this would be good for you....at Target
http://www.gaiam.com/retail/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=gai&category%5Fname=l3%5FPilatesFitness&product%5Fid=91%2D0221

http://a787.g.akamai.net/7/787/2898/v310/www.gaiam.com/retail/images/products/91-0221_detail.jpg

[Suzlywoozly]

I was searching DVD's and thought this would be good for you....at Target
http://www.gaiam.com/retail/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=gai&category%5Fname=l3%5FPilatesFitness&product%5Fid=91%2D0221

http://a787.g.akamai.net/7/787/2898/v310/www.gaiam.com/retail/images/products/91-0221_detail.jpg

I have that video and it is a pain to figure out how to do the exercises!
I take my balance ball... put my feet under the bottom of the couch, roll back on it and do situps. It really works my abs good. The also say that you can put your knees to the wall, roll back and do the situps that way.

When I went to a personal trainer, he had me put the ball between my back and the wall. With your arms straight out in front of you, do squats. It is really hard to do, but you will "feel the burn".:D

[maplekitty]

-Lay flat on the ground, put ball in between your knees or ankles (different resistance for each). squueze the ball with your legs and lift legs up into air, and down, slowly and don't touch the ground. This will work your abs.