I bought one of those huge body balls to help me tone up and strengthen my weak lower back. Um, much more difficult than they looked, or maybe I just have no balance. If anyone else uses them or has any tips, please let me know! My hips are my worst section right now, friggin muffin top that never goes away...
Yes, those body balls are hard, but it is sometimes more of a balance/comfort thing. Once you get comfortable doing the stretches or exercises with the ball, the workout should get easier. When I first got the ball, I replaced my desk chair and sat on it while working (or while watching TV). It helped with my balance and strengthened my core at the same time. Don't give up! Just work into it slowly.
I use a body ball too. From what I've read of them, they are the best way to work out your abs and back because you are using your muscles to both balance yourself on the ball as well as work the muscle groups with the exercises. I've found that my sides and my belly have gotten "smoother" since I've been using the ball regularly.
I think oblique reps might help with your hip issue. There's a great abs/back ball workout on Exercise on Demand if you have Time Warner digital cable.
I have a body ball also...I have had mine for about 2 years....I like to exercise but not really into jumping and sweating alot!!...that is what is good about the ball...I like it better than weights and I think it is fun!...I don't dread working out with the body ball like I do weights...I had trouble balancing at first but I got used to it really quickly!...I have a "stubborn" stomach that doesnt' seem to want to go away...this helps and it is pretty low impact...I have a Denise Austin DVD I use with the ball...
I just got one last month.Weighed myself got mad grabbed my keys went to the store and bought it.I used it and it was taking some getting use to with some of the excersises because I have really bad balance.But I suppose it was easier then the first time I had to to use it in physical therapy for my back.They never found out whats wrong with it so I have to watch what excer. I do thats why I love the ball.It works great and is low impact on my back.I havent been using lately,I was really sick about a week and since then been up and out in and out of town runnig errands every day.But tomorrow starts my slim-fast diet and starting back excers.Did yours come with a little booklet with some routines in it? Mine did...thats the only way I knew what to do on it. Great luck with it thou!
I got a body ball a few months ago. I am not comfortable with alot of equipment because I have serizures fairly often, but this is safe for me to use. I also have horrible balance, so I don't sit on the ball. I do some different exercises with it though. I got a DVD at the library today called "Fat-to-Firm, Fitness Ball Workout for Dummies."
i've had one for a couple years now and i love it! i hate doing exercises on the floor cuz it hurts my boney butt. i have a couple core secrets videos and i like em. they work on your whole body and have some weight resistance also.
I bought one too but how do you now if you are doing right ,because i don`t feel that my sides and belly don`t have any changes and i get furstrated .Any ideas?
There are a lot of activities that you can do with the body ball including ab specific workouts, weight lifting while lying on the ball on your back (small hand held weights while breathing in and out and keeping your back straight), crunches, etc.
I found some great websites that have a bunch of different exercises. Hopefully they are of some help to everyone:
http://exercise.about.com/cs/abs/l/bl_core.htm
http://www.askmen.com/top_10/fitness/36_fitness_list.html
http://www.exerciseballworkouts.net/
http://www.getfit.com.au/html/excercises/ball.html
http://www.fitnessdestinations.com/the-secret-to-effective-exercise-ball-exercises/
Good luck :)