|
Total Body Workout with Bands on the
Ball |
| These exercises are examples of moves you can try using
the Balance Ball Resistance Kit, a series of straps that fits over your
ball providing 2 resistance bands for strength training. Having
the bands attached to the ball allows for a wide variety of exercises
with no need for door attachments or other extras often necessary for
band work. For instructions and guidelines, please see below.
Click on pictures for closer view
|
|
Chest Press
Lie on the ball with the bands on either side. Roll forward and squeeze
the butt to keep the hips up. Hold onto the handles and press the
arms up and over chest. Bend the elbows to lower back down
(going no lower than the shoulders).
|
|
|

|
Seated Row
Prop ball against a wall with bands on either side. Prop the feet against the ball with bent knees and sit up tall, handles in both hands. Keeping torso straight and abs
engaged, squeeze shoulder blades together as you bend the elbows,
pulling them just behind the torso. Release and repeat, keeping
legs active so that the ball doesn't move.
|
|
High Row
In the same position as the Seated Row, start with the arms straight out
in front, palms facing down. Squeeze shoulder blades together as
you pull the arms back, elbows bent to 90 degrees and parallel to
the floor. Pull elbows back until they're just past the torso (keep the
shoulders down) and release back to start.
|
|
|
|
Reverse Fly
In same position as High Row, begin with arms parallel to one
another, palms facing in. Keeping elbows slightly bent and in a
fixed position, open the arms out to the sides (don't go past shoulder
level), squeezing the shoulders blades together. You may need to
adjust the tension of the bands for this exercise.
|
|
Overhead Press
Sit on ball with bands on either side. Keep the abs
engaged and grasp the handles, bring the hands up just over your
shoulders. Sitting tall, press arms up and over head.
Release back to start and repeat.
|
|
|
|
Front Raise
Turn the ball so that one of the resistance bands is directly under
you. Grab the handle and, keeping torso straight, lift arm
straight up in front of you to shoulder level. Lower and repeat for all
reps and then switch arms.
|
|
Tricep Extension
Have the ball in the same position as in the front raise, but
pull the band out the back so it's behind your head. Grasp the
handle in the right hand, elbow bent to 90 degrees (you palm should face
out and be behind your head). Contract the triceps to press the
arm straight, keeping the elbow in a fixed position. Lower and
repeat for all reps before switching sides.
|
|
|
|
Bicep Curls
With the ball against a wall and bands on either side, lie down on the
floor with feet pressing into the ball. Holding onto handles, curl
hands up towards the shoulders (without allowing the elbows to rest or
push into the floor). Release and repeat. For added
difficulty, place heels on the ball and do the move with your body in a
bridge position.
|
|
Squats
Place your feet into the handles of the resistance bands and stretch the
ball out until it's resting behind your back. Be careful here as
it's easy to lose control of the ball! Walk the feet out a bit and
lower into a squat, using your body to hold the ball in place.
Press back up to start and repeat.
|
|
|
|
Side Left Lift
Lie sideways on the ball with one resistance band under the ball and
coming out the side. Place the top foot inside the handle
and stretch the leg out. Without collapsing the upper body,
lift the top leg a few inches off the floor in a leg lift. Lower
(without resting foot on floor) and repeat for all reps before switching
sides.
|
|
Leg Kickbacks
In the same position as the Leg Lift with the foot inside the
handle, simply turn over so you're lying face down on the ball.
Push the leg straight back until level with the hips. Lower and
repeat for all reps before switching legs.
|
|
|
|
100s
Place your feet right below the
resistance band hooks and grab onto the handles. Squeezing the
ball with your feet, straighten the legs and straight arms out so
they're hovering over the floor. Curl the head and upper shoulders
off the mat and pulse the arms 100 times (inhaling for 5 pulses and
exhaling for 5 pulses). Really squeeze the ball or you'll lose it!
|
-
Do all the exercises for a total body
workout or split the routine into upper or lower
-
Beginners, perform one set of 12-16 reps of
each exercise, skipping the more difficult moves (such as the 100's)
-
Intermediate/Advanced, perform 1-3 sets of
10-15 reps of each exercise
-
For larger muscle groups (such as chest and
back) create more tension on the bands by moving them to the holes closer
to the ball.
-
Always prop the ball against
something to help control it. As you get
stronger, you can move the ball away to add
intensity.
-
If you need more tension on the
bands, you can also wrap them around your hands
until you have the tension you need
-
Warm up with cardio before the
workout
-
Check with your doctor if you've never
exercised before or have any medical conditions or injuries