Working your abs with an exercise ball can be an exhilarating way to get a great workout! Exercise balls are fun and simple, but they add an edge to a workout.

The most basic ab routines to do with an exercise ball are a basic crunch and a medicine ball crunch.

A regular crunch will require the use of a larger inflatable exercise ball. These balls are bouncy, and they are used often in low-impact aerobics classes. To do a crunch on them requires more balance than a regular crunch and helps build up your thigh and ab muscles. Put the ball firmly on the ground and then sit on it. Make sure the ball isn’t moving before you lie back.

Your feet will stay on the ground, and you can do a crunch on the ball. Do not try to do as many reps with the exercise ball crunch as you do with regular crunches. Because you will be working on your balance, you will not need to do as many crunches to get a great workout.

The second basic way to work your abs with an exercise ball is to use a medicine ball. These balls are smaller, but they look the same as the large exercise balls. Some medicine balls are tightly inflated, but others are hard.

To do a crunch with a medicine ball, simply do a traditional crunch. Instead of putting your hands behind your head and pulling forward, hold the medicine ball in your hands. As you come up into the crunch, twist your torso slowly to the left. On the next crunch, twist your torso to the right. By doing that, you can build up the muscles along the sides of the abdominal wall.

Once you have mastered working your abs with an exercise ball with these basic routines, you can begin to branch out. Try doing standing crunches and holding the ball against you. Though it may be simple at first, you will discover that your muscles will need to work harder as you try to balance the ball on your midsection.

You also can try doing a reverse crunch on the large exercise ball. You will need excellent balance, as you will have to hold yourself up with your hands. However, if you can pull them off, these exercises are a great way to add a bit of variety to your ab workout.

By: Bill Nad

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For more information on picking a program to get that six pack abs now you can visit my six pack abs review or my master cleanse detox review.

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That’s exactly how many of those tele-infomercial machines for home gyms end up as expensive clothes drying racks standing off in the corner.

The best rubber floor mat you’ll need for yoga is no larger than the top of your desk. There are two types of gym mats that should be mentioned: the thick and black kind that you use under home gyms, cardio equipment and weight racks; and the personal rubber gym mat that you see with yoga.

The yoga floor mat is designed to be lightly textured, and slightly tacky. Some mats are made of vinyl sponge foam but the best are made of natural rubber.

Yoga is one of the best gym exercises you can do on floors, available to every age and fitness level. It’s flowing movements will stretch and lengthen muscle fibers causing the muscles in the back, legs, chest and arms, to become stronger and streamlined. In comparison, lifting heavy weight training can cause muscles to tighten, making them stressed and congested with lactic acid, and increases the load on your joints. Yoga, done on rubber or non-slip surface floor mats, will keep the body moving so the muscles stay warm and lubricated.

Any floor exercise that can be done on mats is all the fitness regime you’ll need. Yoga is just one example, but then many floor exercises actually resemble yoga, and daily practice will better flexibility and strength over time.

Even if you are practicing only the physical aspects of yoga, you will reap healthy benefits and leave each session feeling invigorated, having washed away stress and tension. So try out a yoga mat ($20 – $60), rent or buy a tape, and see how inexpensive, and fun, it is to start your own home fitness gym.

Author: Terry Grant

About the Author:

Terry Grant writes about selecting the best home gyms at HomeGymAdviser.com. Visit the site for home gym reviews of popular brands that include Bowflex, Weider and Star Trac.

Copyright 2009 HomeGymAdviser.com

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… pending non-slip sole, form-fitting ToeSox for Yoga and Pilates provide a fantastic grip on any surface for maximum control and balance. This second skin provides a complete hygienic.

Nintendo Wii System + Wii Fit Balance Board Mat Bundle FOR SALE!

The software comes bundled with the Wiki Balance Board which can measure weight and balance, which allows for the body movement to become the control interface. It is used to perform.

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