Stability Ball Workout 4

Complete each exercise with only 30 seconds rest in between each set.

Pushups with feet on stability ball

1) Lie face down with chest on flexaball.
2) Take your hands and walk forward allowing the flexaball to roll under your body until the top of your feet are supported by the flexaball.
3) Start position: Place your hands slightly wider than shoulder width, fingers pointing straight ahead, and aligned at the nipple line. Remove one foot and suspend it 4-6 inches above the flexaball.
4) Lower your body (legs, hips, trunk, and head) 4-8 inches from the floor.
5) Return to the start position by extending at the elbows and pushing the body up.
6) Remember to keep the head and trunk stabilized in a neutral position by isometrically contracting the abdominal and back muscles. Never fully lock out the elbows at the start position and avoid hyperextension of the low back.

Lower Abs In and Out

Sit in a seated position and place a stability ball between your legs.
Straighten your legs and then bring your knees to your chest and lift the ball off the floor.
Return to the starting position.

DB Lunge Crossover

1) Start position: Stand with feet hip width apart. Grasp DB’s and hold out in front of body
2) Step forward 2-3 feet forming a 90° bend at the front hip and knee. DO NOT allow front knee to extend past the big toe - may cause injury. As you are lunging swing dumbells across body towards the hip.
3) Pushing off front foot, return to start position with legs and dumbells. Continue with same leg or alternate as prescribed.
4) Remember to keep head and back upright in a neutral position. Shoulders and hips should remain squared at all times.
5) Watch for proper knee alignment - do not let front knee extend past big toe or deviate laterally or medially. Back knee should not come in contact with floor.

Single Leg Hip Extension on Ball

1. Assume back lying position on floor. Place hands at sides with palms down on floor.
2. Start position: Place one heel on top of Flexaball with knee slightly bent.
3. Raise hips off floor by pressing one heel into ball.
4. Return to start position.
5. To increase difficulty, raise and extend arms above chest.

Seated DB Curl and Press on Ball

1. Start by sitting on a resistance ball and holding the dumbells at your sides. Hold the dumbells with your palms up.
2. Curl the dumbells up to shoulder level and then press the dumbells over your head.
3. Return to the starting position and repeat.
4. Keep your abs tight throughout the movement and avoid excessive arching of the lower back.

DB Overhead Tricep Extension

1) Sit with feet shoulder width apart in an upright position.
2) Start position: Grasp DB and place palms on inner side of weight plate as shown. Press DB directly overhead (now palms are up).
3) Stabilize shoulders and lower weight moving only at the elbow joint until forearm is parallel to floor. Keep elbows pointing forward throughout movement.
4) Return to start position.
5) Remember to keep back and head straight - hyperextension or flexion may cause injury.
6) To add intensity to the exercise bring feet together so they are touching. This will decrease your center of gravity and make your core work harder to stabilize the upper body.

Prone Row with Ball

1. Lie face down on a stability ball so that the ball is under your lower abdomen.
2. Holding two dumbells row them up towards your shoulders keeping your elbows out wide and back staying flat.
3. Remember to pinch your shoulder blades together as you row and keep your upper body stable.

Seated Upright Row on Ball with Band

1. Start by sitting on a ball with the band secured under your feet or the ball.
2. Raise the band up by pulling with your hands up towards your shoulders.
3. During the movement keep your elbows higher than your hands or try to lead the movement with your elbows.
4. Return to the starting position and repeat.

Stability Ball Lying Side Raise

1. Lie on your side on a stability ball.
2. Start position: Grasp DB’s with an underhand grip (palm facing down). Arm should hang down at sides with elbows slightly bent.
3. Raise DB to side of body until the DB is straight overhead. Keep elbows only slightly bent with thumbs pointing up throughout movement.
4. Return to start position.

One Arm Prone Bridge

Start Position: Roll out on the ball so that your shins are on the ball and you are supported by your hands in a table top position.
Take one hand and lift off the ground and bring back towards your hip.
Now raise it out in front of your head.
Repeat with other arm.