Exersize ball
 

Anyone use one? I just bought one and I really like it.

Oh those give a great ab workout! I took a whole class last fall where we worked our Core Body on the ball. It was awesome!

When I competitively ice skated (I quit a few years ago) we used those in our off ice training! I remember thinking how cool it was because you could do so much on it and it helped with muscle toning, etc. Since they made us buy the ball, I still have it, but deflated it and haven't used it in a while tho :( Maybe I should start up again!

They're great for ab and core exercises (if we're thinking of the same thing). Also, if you're just starting weight training, they're a good way to gain balance and target key muscle groups while lifting.

How much would one of these things be? I am considering buying one. Thanks for your help!

Try Ross or Marshalls. They are about $12 there as apposed to something like Target, where they can be anywhere from $20-$30.

Yes, using the ball does work....handsdown.

Just a little tid bit about these balls.
At work I was getting back aches from sitting at my desk all day. Some one suggested that I get one of those balls and use it to sit on at work when my back was hurting. It works really well for making you keep your posture and in turn keeps my back from hurting a lot. I don't use it all the time just when I am sitting in front of my computer for umpteen hours

One of my roommate last year had one. It was pretty cool to like bounce down the hall on and sit on to watch tv but as for working out.....never used it in that aspect.

That's why I'm chubby:(

You're not chubby....you just have decent hips.

I do this great ab workout with my exercise ball. You like down and squeeze the ball with your legs, then do a crunch with it. So you're lifting your shoulders and your legs . . . it works out your lower abs really well . . .

everytime i see this thread, i think about that episode of 'friends' when pheobe and rachel were fighting over the bouncy ball cause it gave them a certain type of pleasure:p

I suppose they work, but you'd get just as good if not better results without it. (specifically the ab workout)

Focus on good form and working the muscles correctly and save yourself $20.

-Matt

But don't the balls help with isolation, particularly on exercises like crunches?

I think the ball is best if you don't have good form during crunches. They help keep you in line so that you're doing the exercise correctly. But, like Sikes said, you'll get a better work out if you learn to do crunches correctly (by doing the exercise slowly, bringing your whole body up, keep your body straight, and hold your position for 5 seconds).

It's kinda like free weights vs. machines. You get a better work out from free weights because you're trying to maintain balance and coordination while lifting but the machines are good if you can't keep yourself steady enough during the exercise (and to decrease the risk of injuring yourself).