Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #167502 in Books
• Published on: 2003-06-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 192 pages

Synopsis
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 best selling book and video Pilates on the Ball, reveals why the exercise ball, also, is a tool that has no match for building superb abdominal strength. She presents a selection of over 50 innovative exercises, including some of the key powerhouse-builders from the Pilate's 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 sleepy muscles, recruiting both deep as well as the superficial abdominal muscle fibres to enhance both performance and results. ABS ON THE BALL includes exercises for all ability levels. It shows how to breathe properly and how to activate the correct muscles during a workout-from the core exercises of the Waterfall, Oblique Twist and Full Abdominal Curls to the more advance Full Rollup, Shoulder Bridges and Backwards Crunch.

The author, also, offers a 10- and a 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 co-ordination.

Customer Reviews

Brilliant - and great companion to Pilates on the ball
This book is extremely useful, not only in the exercises that it presents but in the information it provides about core conditioning and the whys and wherefores of the benefits of pilates and the exercise ball. It is a great companion to Colleen's first book, Pilates on the ball - but here the focus is on the Ab's which for many people are one of their biggest "problem areas". The ball makes the exercises extra challenging, and really enhances the principles of Pilates. Though beginners can use this book, I would say it is suited to intermediate level better as prior knowledge of pilates really seemed to help me to see how it all fitted together and is incorporated into the ball exercises. Don't let that put beginners off though as I think they could still benefit from this book - but maybe get another pilates book first or complement it with the pilates on the ball book if you are really ball focussed. I have many yoga, ball and pilates books and this is certainly a good one - I also reccommend Liz Gillies book "101 ways to work out on the ball" as she also applies a pilates background to the ball and the pictures are in colour also.

Overall, a great book to have, very useful and one well worth adding to your collection. Colleen speaks with authority on the subject - if you are into pilates and want an extra challenge to your workout or are just getting interested in using the swiss ball then I think you will find this book useful.