Exercises on the Ball
This workout involves strength training exercises using an exercise
ball. Many of these exercises are advanced and should only
be performed by experienced exercisers with previous
exercise ball and weightlifting experience. Make sure you warm up before
beginning these exercises and stretch after the workout. Do 2-3 sets of
12-16 repetitions of each exercise, resting about 30 seconds in between.
Start with a lighter weight the first time you do this workout as the
movements will be harder using the exercise ball.
One-Legged
Deadlift
Stand with one foot on the ball, standing leg slightly bent, dumbbells
in front of thighs. Keeping shoulders back, back flat and abs in,
tip from the hips and bring weights down to knees, hands close to
thighs. Contract your glutes and hamstrings to pull your torso
back up. Switch legs and repeat. |
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Chest
flyes with leg raise
Lie on ball holding dumbbells straight up, palms facing in. Extend
one leg and, keeping it extended, lower arms down to chest level.
Contract chest to pull arms back to starting position. Keep the
leg extended throughout the set, switching legs for each set. |
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Hamstring
Rolls
Lie on the floor and place heels on the ball. Squeeze glutes
and lift hips until your body is in a straight line. Contracting
the hamstrings, press the heels into the ball and roll it towards you
while keeping the glutes and abs tight (don't sink in the middle!). |
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Seated
lateral raise with hip flexion
Sit on the ball with dumbbells at sides. Lift one foot off the
ground and, keeping it lifted, raise arms out to the sides to shoulder
level, elbows slightly bent and wrists straight. Lower arms and
repeat, keeping leg lifted throughout the set. Switch legs for
each set. |
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One-legged
lunge
Stand a few feet away from a ball (prop it against a wall for more
stability) and place one foot on the ball in a split stance.
Slowly bend front knee and lower hips towards the ground, keeping knee
behind the toe and back straight. Squeeze the glutes and
hamstrings to come up and repeat, switching legs for each set. |
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Oblique
lift
In sidelying position on the ball with leg bent, fists on the temples,
tighten obliques (muscles around the waist) and lift torso off the ball,
pulling the ribcage toward the hip. Repeat and switch sides. |
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Pushups
Place toes, shins or knees on the ball, hands on the floor a little
wider than shoulders. Keeping abs tight and back flat, slowly bend
elbows and lower torso, stopping when elbows are 90 degrees. Push
up to starting position and repeat., |
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Bent
over rows on one leg
Bend torso parallel to floor, back flat and weights straight
down. Extend one leg and prop toe on the ball and bend elbows,
squeezing the back to pull weights up to torso level. Lower arms
and repeat, keeping leg extended. Switch legs for each set. |
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Squat
with leg extension
Place ball on a wall directly behind mid-lower back. Lean
against the ball (slightly) and bend knees, lowering the body until
knees are at 90 degree angles. At the bottom of the movement,
extend one leg out, hold and lower, pushing back to starting
position. Alternate legs with each repetition. |
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More Exercises
on the Ball
More Workouts