[ncuneo]

I don't have time for the gym and I really hate it. Also most all of my exercising is walking/jogging with a stoller. So I'm basically only doing cardio. I do some pretty intense hiking which takes care of most of my legs 2xs a week, but I'm doing nothing for my abs or upper body.

The only time I would be able to add would be 30 mins of balance ball videos. I have 3 30 mins DVDs (upper, lower and abs). I was thinking I could add this in 3xs a week either before work or durning my son's nap. What do you think is it some what equivalent to lifing? There are lots of sit up type movements, planks, holding body parts in positions and using your body weight for resistance, push ups, etc. I guess it's better than nothing right?

[Eliana]

The ball is far better than just "better than nothing". If you do it properly, you can get a killer workout! I was fortunate to take a ball class once and got a lot of great ideas from it. I'm trying to replicate it, but without the teacher saying, "Ok, great now another 20" I tend to stop before I probably should. But if you have videos, that should really help with that.

I like to use 3, 5, 8, 10 pound hand weights as well. You can basically use the ball as a bench by resting the neck on the ball and supporting yourself with your legs. This works the butt and thighs at the same time as your arms while doing the weights. It's great and much harder than it sounds.

I love working with my ball! I'm going back and forth between getting a weight bench and just sticking with the ball and I've done both lifting with machines and ball work.

[nelie]

I do some ball exercises. You can do pushups, bridges and wall squats and a bunch of other things with the ball. I also like using the ball as a bench for weight lifting exercises.

[TempleBody]

my trainer always has me doing things with a workout ball. you can do squats and hold the ball up over ur head. you can do squats against the ball and the wall. ....back stretches....ab and butt work with the ball. the possibilities are many!