SHAPE MAGAZINE, April 2004, page 128
Photo: Christophe JouanyWhat's small, affordable, and makes home exercise enjoyable? The stability ball! Here are some of our favorite books (ball not included) that show you how to incorporate this versatile piece of equipment into your workouts.
Abs on the Ball: A Pilates Approach to Building Superb Abdominals, by Colleen Craig (Healing Arts Press, 2003; $18), offers over 100 Pilates-based ab exercises for both large and small exercise balls. The challenge to your core muscles not only tones and firms them, but can help relieve lower-back pain.
PowerSculpt: The Woman's Body Sculpting & Weight Training Work¬out Using the Exercise Ball, by Paul Frediani (Hatherleigh Press, 2003; $17), shows you how to use the ball for both traditional and more creative strength, flexibility and balance training. Includes progressive 12-week plan and easy-to-follow photos and captions.
Pilates on the Ball, also by Craig (Healing Arts Press, 2001; $19), gives step-by-step instructions for strength exercises, stretches and standard Pilates exercises, all adapted for the ball with an emphasis on proper technique and breathing. Good for all levels.
Yoga on the Ball, by Carol Mitchell (Healing Arts Press, 2003; $18), presents "meditation in motion" -- challenging, effective and, most of all, fun yoga moves using the stability ball. Includes clear instructions and loads of photos, plus a bonus section with three complete programs of varying difficulty and an appendix on major muscles and their functions. L.L.
