Abs on the Ball: A Pilates Approach to Building Superb Abdominals
by Colleen Craig

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Book Summary Information

• Features 191 full color pages
• Includes over 100 exercises and 250 photographs for maximum use of your exercise ball
• Features 15-30 minute work out routines at end of book
• Use an exercise ball and the Pilates approach to strengthen, tone and condition your abdominals
• Includes basic, intermediate and advanced level moves

• Tanita BC533 Glass Innerscan Body Composition Monitor
• Airborne Effervescent Health Formula, Original Orange, 10 Tablets (Pack of 3)
• RESPeRATE Blood Pressure Lowering Device

Book Reviews of Abs on the Ball: A Pilates Approach to Building Superb Abdominals

Book Review: Innovative exercises in the style of Pilates
Summary: 5 Stars

The 9-inch Overball is used for 3 things: as a Magic Circle for inner thigh/core strength, a small ball for balancing on, and a means to provide support and feedback on a variety of exercises (like a mini roll-down with the ball behind your pelvis). Colleen has created some innovative exercises here. Some of the exercises are done with a mostly-deflated Overball, so it really makes sense to have at least 2 of these guys.

Colleen makes a compelling case for the use of inflatable balls for core training in the Introduction. She points to some state-of-the-art research as to why the crunch-oriented "core training" isn't really core-oriented at all. The first three chapters are must reading for any Pilates students and for anyone who wants to understand the nature of core training and why Pilates hits the target so well for these exercises.

For beginners with Pilates, I still strongly recommend getting 10-15 group or private classes under your belt before trying any of this on your own. Core training really is a horse of a different color; we do not naturally know how to do it. While the balls give you great feedback for your proprioception, there really is no substitute for a live instructor to start you off with these kind of exercises. And many Pilates instructors have picked up some training on these balls.

This is a great book for any serious student of Pilates/core strength. If you follow these exercises, you will get stronger in the most important muscles in your body. And this are total-body exercisees: the advanced exercises presented here will involve all the muscles in your body. This is some kick-abs stuff!

Summary of Abs on the Ball: A Pilates Approach to Building Superb Abdominals

• Offers a 10-minute and 20-minute workout for all levels of fitness.

• Shows how the mobility of the ball targets underutilized muscles.

• Shows how traditional sit-ups and "ab" machines limit how much abdominal muscles can be trained and also aggravate lower back pain and neck tension.

The exercise ball has long been recommended by doctors, physical therapists, and Olympic coaches for people suffering from back pain. Now Colleen Craig, author of the bestselling book Pilates on the Ball, reveals why the exercise ball is unmatched as a tool for building superb abdominal strength. She presents a selection of over 80 innovative exercises, including some of the key powerhouse-builders from the Pilates Method, all of which she has adapted specifically to the ball.

Craig shows how traditional sit-ups and "ab" machines actually limit the degree to which abdominal muscles can be trained and can even aggravate lower back pain and neck tension. In contrast, the very mobility of the ball targets underutilized muscles, recruiting both deep and superficial abdominal muscle fibers to enhance results.

Abs on the Ball includes exercises for all ability levels that show how to properly use the breath and how to activate the correct muscles during a workout--from the core exercises of the Waterfall, Oblique Curls, and Full Abdominal Curls to the more advanced Side Twist Plank, the Teaser, and Backward Crunch. The author also offers a 10- and 20-minute workout designed not only to build the abdominal core, but also to strengthen and train deep muscles in the back and hip in order to soothe lower back pain and increase overall body strength, balance, and coordination.

Alternative Medicine Books

• Subjects > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Alternative Medicine
• Exercise & Fitness > Ab Workouts
• Pilates
• Weight Training