Get on the Ball for Great Abs: Exercises to Flatten Your Stomach and Strengthen Your Core Review

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(More customer reviews)This book doesnt tell you anything you already know about losing weight and defining your abs, you have to already be thin for anything in the book to work otherwise you will just be building strong abs over a layer or fat if you are new to using an Ab ball then this might have something for you to read but otherwise i would look for another book

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Forget those expensive ab infomercial gadgets - all you need for toned abs and a strong, defined, flexible body is an exercise ball and Get on the Ball for Great Abs. In her first book, Get on the Ball, fitness expert Lisa Westlake showed just how fun and easy it is to get in shape using the wobbly exercise ball, as stabilizing one's body on it requires using new skills to "wake up" your muscles. Now, she offers more than 60 all-new, easy-to-follow exercises, including some featuring weights, specifically geared toward strengthening the core, abdominal and obliques muscles to perfect your waistline. Each exercise is illustrated with a black and white photo and the workouts progress from easy to higher degrees of difficulty, making this ideal for beginners, avid gym-goers, and top athletes alike. For anyone who wants a slimmer waistline and more stable, defined abs, Get on the Ball for Great Abs will help readers get the best from their exercise ball.

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Get on the Ball: Develop a Strong, Lean and Toned Body with an Exercise Ball Review

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(More customer reviews)I have a small but respectable collection of "stability ball" videos and books, but this resource is clearly my favorite.
Westlake's book is a sexy production with typically two pages devoted to each exercise. The book is divided into sections relating first to the rationale and method of developing your body through the use of an unstable surface, next a section on warming up (of course), then presentation of exercises mostly according to position of the exerciser with respect to the ball: seated on the ball, standing with the ball, supine (face-up) on the ball, abs on the ball, etc. In the margin of each of these pages is a vertical strip that lists trainer tips (tips a personal trainer would give), stretches associated with the particular exercise, and a word of caution in performing the exercise. The next section outlines stretching exercises. The book ends with -- and this is where I feel I've really gotten *my* money's worth - fifteen different training programs, including "all [a]round workouts," "core control" training, exercises for pregnant women, stretching routines, and anatomy-specific workouts, e.g. butt, abs, etc.
This book is my favorite because it presents a huge variety of challenging exercises (and I consider myself to be in very good physical condition). In addition, the production values are of very high quality. I love the arty graphics, everything from the attractive fonts to the bulleted lists of pointers, to the white-on-navy blue trainer tips in the margin. Most people will probably never notice the whimsical gray balls that loom large in the background, but I think it's a neat, modern touch that resonates with ball enthusiasts' sense that the ball is *fun*, not to mention an invaluable tool for attaining new heights of body awareness, suppleness, agility, tone, and core strength. This book is well conceived physically, as well: although it packs a whopping 184 pages of pictures and textual information, it *seems* small and it's easy to pack, at nearly square 6.5 inches x 6.75 inches (ca. 16.5 cm x 17 cm).
My only problem with this book is that the cool and plentiful duo-tone pictures often depict the exercise at only one point in the movement. Or if there *is* a second photo, it often depicts a more difficult variation. Personally, I would prefer photos depicting the range of motion at initial, final, and even mid positions. The reader must therefore rely on the text, where a picture would have packed a more communicative punch.
I thought I was at a training plateau with my ballwork until I got this book on a recent trip to New York from Brazil. The cover's subtitle is "Develop a strong core and a lean, toned body" and Westlake means it! Since I started using the book, I've experienced a significant jump core strength, which I've especially noticed while swimming. ...Overall, this book has been incredibly motivating for me. WHAT is presented here and HOW it is presented makes this book THE Bible of all ball resources. Anyone who owns or works out with a fitness ball should definitely own a copy of Westlake's _Get on the Ball_.

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The Great Medicine Ball Handbook: The Quick Reference Guide to Medicine Ball Exercises Review

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(More customer reviews)This truly is a great little book. I've bought other books on medicine ball training but this one has the best photos (color) and simple, easy to follow directions. It seems to be written for both beginners and the more advanced, depending on the exercise chosen. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to add medicine ball training to their routine.

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Balance on the Ball Review

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(More customer reviews)This book is great for working out on your own with the ball. It gives very clear directions, and even lets you know what muscle groups you are targeting so that you can really focus on getting the most out of each exercise. This is the best ball book that I have bought (I also have Pilates on the Ball, which is good but this one is better).

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Balance on the Ball combines the smooth, controlled movements of Pilates with the instability of a ball to provide a fun, challenging workout for people at all levels of fitness. Black-and-white photographs clearly illustrate over 100 exercises, focusing on core stabilization, muscle tone, and flexibility. Each exercise provides helpful tips for maintaining optimal form and alignment, modifications or advanced variations, and a list of muscle groups used. As the first book to integrate stability ball training with the Pilates method, Balance on the Ball explains how the principles of Pilates-breathing, concentration, centering, precision, control, movement flow and rhythm-are integral to exercising on the ball. The author emphasizes correct alignment and the quality of movement rather than the number of repetitions or speed at which they are performed. These essential concepts may be incorporated into the rest of your fitness routine, as well as into your daily life, for a greater sense of harmony and balance.

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Core Assessment and Training Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a great book for couches, if you want your clients to be on save side you definitely must read this book, and of course if you do gym it's a must have because it shows how to stay away from injurys, in fact this book must be read it before going to the gym, but not only for bodybuilders ( I am B.B ), this book it's for all type of sports and for good, strong and healtly body.
Don't forgot you got and an dvd wich shows the assesments and core exercise technique.
Thanks to H.K !


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Our understanding of the importance of core health for injury prevention, athletic performance, and rehabilitation grows each day. Make sure you can offer your clients safe and effective programs with Core Assessment and Training. In this book, you will learn to assess each client's baseline core function and develop an individualized program to meet his or her needs.

In Core Assessment and Training, expert Jason Brumitt covers all aspects of core training—from basic to advanced core exercises, stretches, and plyometrics. Whether you are a personal trainer, strength coach, or rehabilitation professional, this reference will help you learn these essentials:

• Functional anatomy of the core musculature

• Core assessment and functional testing techniques

• Fundamentals of program design for core training

• Special considerations for core training for various sports and core-specific injuries and conditions

This book covers not only core strength but also flexibility and plyometrics. It includes photos, illustrations, and instructions for more than 120 exercises. Sample exercise routines and a table that lists the exercises by the muscles used offer a basis for program design and provide on-the-spot reference. The accompanying DVD features video demonstrations that help you review proper techniques and protocols for many of the exercises and assessments discussed in the book. All of the information in the book and on the DVD is presented in a logical format with the busy fitness professional in mind.

An online course, also titled Core Assessment and Training, can be purchased to complement and enhance the material presented in the book. The course features interactive case studies with virtual clients that guide you through developing comprehensive core training programs that encompass strengthening, flexibility, endurance and power. You'll gain insight into selecting exercises that are specific to each client's needs and into properly progressing exercises from basic to advanced. You'll also practice identifying indicated and contraindicated exercises for various injuries and health conditions, and in selecting core exercises for different athletes and clients.

Understanding the concepts of core training and analyzing functioning of the core are key components of safe core exercise programs. With Core Assessment and Training, you can master the techniques for assessing each client's needs and design customized training programs for maximum results.

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Yoga on the Ball: Enhance Your Yoga Practice Using the Exercise Ball Review

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(More customer reviews)I have practiced yoga for several years now but just recently purchased a stability ball, so I wanted a book that would teach me how to adapt yoga postures to ball work. Author Carol Mitchell takes awhile to actually get into the exercises, as she goes into quite a bit of detail about yoga tradition, yogic breathing, and posture work. While this information might be helpful to someone totally new to yoga, I found it to be overly long-winded and was eager to get started.
Mitchell begins the practice section with yoga sun salutations modified for the ball. Although the sun salutation series is traditionally performed in a relatively brisk flow to warm up the body for more challending asana work, I found the ball version to be rather awkward, making it much more difficult to move smoothly through the series. Mitchell then moves on to several chapters of postures on the ball; I found these sections to be much more relevant. It was interesting to learn how the ball could be used to enhance the classic poses, sometimes making the poses easier and at other times making them more difficult. For every exercise, Mitchell presents at least two and often three different levels of difficulty, which allows you to customize your practice. Each chapter focuses on a particular practice goal: flexibility and strength, balance, advanced work, and relaxation. At times, the ball seems to be used only for the sake of incorporating it somehow--eg, holding the ball over your head--rather than as an integral part of the yoga posture.
A final chapter, "Putting It All Together," explains how to combine the various asanas presented to create a practice customized to your particular level and goals. Although each speciality practice is illustrated, I found the diagrams somewhat hard to follow, both here and elsewhere in the book. A nice bonus at the end of the book is an appendix which reviews all of the major muscle groups and their functions; this was perhaps the most clear and concise summary of this topic which I have ever seen. Overall, this book provided a decent introduction to mostly beginner's level yoga work on the stability ball, and it is probably best suited to those new to both yoga and ball work. Rating: 3 1/2 stars.

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Ellie Herman's Pilates Workbook on the Ball: Illustrated Step-by-Step Guide Review

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(More customer reviews)This is the third book I have bought from Ulysses Press, and it is just as good as the other two ("Weight-bearing workouts for women", and "Weights on the Ball workbook" - which is particularly good, and I highly recommend). This book has the Ulysses Press trade-mark 'lay-flat binding' - so useful during exercise, and is well-organized, well-illustrated, very informative, with great exercises and a very nice work-out sequence. Ellie Herman has taken the original Pilates matwork sequence and has adapted it to the exercise ball, with a few additional Pilates exercises thrown in. This is a natural progression from the regular Pilates matwork routine, you can easily and quickly transfer to this program if you are already familiar with the original Pilates matwork. This book is easy to follow, well illustrated, and gives all the usual information associated with Pilates, as well as with using the fitness ball, including important safe-guards. I highly recommend this book. My next Ulysses Press purchase is going to be Ellie Herman's Pilates Props matwork book - based on how good this book is, I know that one is going to be a winner as well.

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101 Ways to Work Out on the Ball: Sculpt Your Ideal Body with Pilates, Yoga and More Review

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(More customer reviews)Elizabeth Gillies, known previously for her work on instructional videos/DVDs for Pilates and the balance ball, has an extensive background in movement, including ballet, modern dance, Pilates and even performing with a circus. She's taken all of that and translated many familiar exercises to the stability ball (as well as invented a few of her own).
Gillies' training in anatomy and years of instruction really show here. She uses clear, descriptive language as well as many tips and cues that immediately help the reader figure out what muscles they should (and shouldn't) be activating.
While there are a lot of books out there for the stability ball (both Pilates-based and "gym-style"), this book does manage to break some new ground. The sections that use handweights and her dance-based exercises are very different from anything else out there- Gillies' deserves credit for her innovativeness and originality.
The book itself is very attractive, with glossy photography and clear sherbet tones. It's a joy to read through and follow along with. She's also created ten different easy to follow exercise menus to choose from if you need a quick reference (I certainly do).
The only drawback is that this is low on yoga-based exercises- not a big deal, but it is mentioned in the title. However, I think someone using this book will find more than enough to make up for that.

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The Miracle Ball Method: Relieve Your Pain, Reshape Your Body, Reduce Your Stress Review

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(More customer reviews)The Miracle Ball Method: Relieve Your Pain, Reshape Your Body, Reduce Your Stress [2 Miracle Balls Included] is a method of pain relief developed by Elaine Petrone after struggling with her own terrible back pain. The key for her, and no doubt many, proved to be proper breathing and decreased muscle tension. Soooo...
The Goal: reduce muscle tension that's causing the pain
The Formula: Weight + Breathing = Release of Tension
How Accomplished: Lay on one or more of the balls in a specified spot
(although the book encourages you to experiment),
breathe properly, and relax. The ball is just a tool to
help you feel the weight of your body.
Don't be turned off by the fact that the book is over 200 pages long- after a brief introduction and a short section on breathing, the vast majority of the book is made up of pictures showing you exactly how to do the exercises. Additionally, its a tiny book and therefore has short paragraphs on each page.
I would have to say that this book will likely benefit many people with chronic pain. Muscle tension is either the major cause of a lot of pain, or at least present due to another cause. Either way, treating muscle tension and learning how to relax will take a big bite out of your pain. Readers with arthritis in their back might also be interested in Treat Your Own Spinal Stenosis. Good luck!

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Take two-they're small. And they perform miracles. Suffering a career-ending, potentially crippling injury to her back and right leg, a young dancer named Elaine Petrone tried everyone from orthopedists to yogis to turn her pain and prognosis around. Nothing worked-until she healed herself through a unique program of therapy and exercise based around the use of two small, squishy balls. From there she turned her passion into a mission that is helping the thousands of people who visit her classes conquer pain, stress, and injury.Now, for relief for sufferers everywhere, comes The Miracle Ball Method, a healing kit containing two miracle balls and a fully illustrated book, all packaged together in an attention-getting clear plastic cylinder. The work itself is simple. Take a sore back: By resting your aching back on the grapefruit-sized balls and letting your body sink into them, you're unworking the muscles that hurt. Pain and tension drain out of the body. Petrone shows how proper breathing (which she demonstrates) works in conjunction with a range of unexercises that call for placing the balls under the back, head, knees, hip, elbow-wherever there's pain-and then resting, rolling, or rotating on them. She points out that relief can come in surprising ways: Lower back pain may be helped by placing the ball under your neck, or a bad knee might be helped by hip work. It's a revolutionary program of relief, from head to toe.

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Strength Ball Training-2nd Edition Review

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(More customer reviews)I'm not a PhD on the subject, but as a lifelong "fitness enthusiast" (read: two points shy of OCD) I've seen dozens of books on diet and exercise and have managed, through judicious culling of available material, to distill a program out of it all that has eased considerably my transition from extended adolescence into midlife crisis.
Lately haven given up running and 80% of my weightlifting activity in favor of dance class, hiking/hill sprinting and bodyweight circuits, the stability ball is the single most important piece of gear I use. The core conditioning I've learned in the course of various rehab cycles relies on it, and having revamped my program based on the ball and related movements I'm always looking for new information about it.
This book is the most comprehensive out of half a dozen or so I've seen on the subject. It contains sections on each body part and a full range of medicine ball movements for explosive conditioning. If I would have known 30 years ago what I know now, I'd have been ten times better off using the programs in this book than the folklore-laden, body builder-based training I was using.
If you want to build the type of conditioning that will not only make you a better athlete but give you survivability throughout your life, this book would be an excellent place to start.

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The Ultimate Body Rolling Workout: The Revolutionary Way to Tone, Lengthen, and Realign Your Body Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought a red ball over a year ago, and have been playing with it for pain control.I could do some basic roll outs that I learned from the video. I have a long history of needing chiro, massage, etc... I once was extremelly active, but have lost much to injury.
Two weeks ago I purchesed the book and have been doing slow, focused work with the ball. I am seeing amazing results, the book is better than the vidoes were.
By doing more thigh muscles work I am standing straight and have been in minimal back pain for the past two weeks.
Body rolling is work!Do not fool yourself that it does not require attention. It helps to be warm,take a hot bath first.
I am also using YIN YOGA to help with my issues.I limit myself to every other night to avoid injury, and can't wait for my session tonight!
Between those books two my pain is down, and stamania is up, I am less crippled! Give it a good try.
I bless my ball everyday and marvel at my gains.*****dec 2006 update, still going strong with controllabe pain, have done a year of swimming work, amd able to walk two miles now, will be hiking by summer. Body rolling combines with simple yoga has made a huge difference in my life.,, even my sister the yoga teacher uses it now to help her stay aligned and straight.****


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Exercise Balls For Dummies Review

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(More customer reviews)Exercise Balls For Dummies has everything it takes to be on the best seller list. The chapter that focuses on stretching alone helped relieve years of chronic back pain. Great job to the author LaReine Chabut for writing and illustrating such a complete and comprehensive guide for everyone. A must read on everybody's list!

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If you want to shape up or lose weight, get on the ball!
It's inexpensive. It's something you can do at home. It's effective!
However, unless you have a personal trainer, using the exercise ball correctly to get maximum results can be tricky. That's where Exercise Balls For Dummies comes in. You'll discover how to turn an ordinary workout into a super workout that builds strength, increases flexibility, and sculpts a great-looking body. The book includes:
Step-by-step details on using exercise balls in your regular workout program
Tips on selecting and maintaining equipment
Illustrated exercises covering a complete muscle workout: shoulders and upper back; biceps, triceps, and forearms; chest abdominals and lower back; legs and hips: flexibility in general
Specific applications for Pilates, weight training, stretching, and aerobic exercise
Mat workout routines

Admitted couch potatoes can start at the beginning; fitness fanatics can jump right in and integrate the exercise ball into their routines. Exercise Balls For Dummies was written by LaReine Chabut, a fitness model, actress, and writer who owns a women's workout spa and stars in workout videos. Of course, she makes it look easy!

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Ultimate Core Ball Workout: Strengthening and Sculpting Exercises with Over 200 Step-by-Step Photos Review

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(More customer reviews)Having had a little exposure to doing a workout with an exercise ball, I was looking for something I could use on my own at home. This book is thoughtfully written, clear about what to focus on and concise about how to progress from level to level without injury. As a former dancer I really appreciated the instructions for alignment, and would recommend this book to anyone who is a beginner in this type of workout.

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From shapely abs to the "Pilates Powerhouse," core strengthening has become the main focus for today's exercise enthusiasts. Now, Ultimate Core Ball Workout takes core training to a higher level with its on-the-ball variations of traditional mat exercises. The unique benefits of ball training enable the program in Ultimate Core Ball Workout to produce better results in less time. Any crunch will work the abs, but this book's crunch on the ball simultaneously engages the stabilizing muscles of the abdomen and lower body, working more muscle and producing a more sculpted midsection faster. The exercises outlined in this book are suitable for all levels, from beginner to fitness professional, and the photo sequences and clearly written captions teach proper techniques. Offering more than just good-looking abs, the program in Ultimate Core Ball Workout produces numerous health and fitness benefits, including a stronger, more supportive back, improved posture, better performance in sports, and even more enjoyable sex. Plus, each exercise is presented with tips and modifications to increase the challenge so readers can continue to improve and get stronger over time.

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Ellie Herman's Pilates Props Workbook: Illustrated Step-by-Step Guide Review

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(More customer reviews)Ellie Herman's Pilates Workbook on the Ball was such a good book that I had to get this book of hers too. I am very pleased with the exercises, and like having now the variety of Pilates exercises on the big ball (from the other book) as well as Pilates on the roller, magic circle, and thera-band, from this book. Everything is well laid out and explained. I highly recommend this book.

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AMPLIFY YOUR PILATES WORKOUT USING PROPSPilates gets even better when paired with these simple accessories.Pilates expert Ellie Herman shows how to intensify and enhance your matwork routine:•The elastic exercise band increases resistance•The ethafoam roller creates stability challenges•The Magic Circle gives a great inner thigh workoutEach movement is explained with clear captions and easy-to-follow photo sequences.Special programs for strains, injuries and chronic problems are also featured.In addition to strengthening and toning your body, Pilates with props helps you:•Build balance•Release tension•Alleviate pain•Rehabilitate injuries

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Get On It: BOSU Balance Trainer Workouts for Core Strength and a Super Toned Body Review

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(More customer reviews)As a group fitness instructor, I'm always looking for new ways to use the equipment we have. This is a well illustrated guide to the versatility of the BOSU. Well written.

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SUPER CHARGE YOUR WORKOUT BY GETTING ON A BOSU®Get on It! taps the power of the BOSU ® to reshape your whole body while strengthening your core and stabilizing muscles.By showing how to adapt familiar exercises-such as lunges, crunches, leg lifts, push-ups and many more-to the BOSU®, this book transforms simple moves into fun, challenging and highly effective exercises.With over 400 step-by-step photos, Get on It! illustrates over 80 on-the- BOSU® exercises that produce unmatched results for:•muscle toning•body sculpting•fat burning•posture alignment•mental concentration•sports conditioning

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