Continuing with the ball exercise series, today’s post focuses on the standard abdominal ball crunch. This is the exercise that most people are familiar with on a ball. It’s a great exercise because it offers low back support while performing a standard crunch. Using a stability ball, lie on your back on the ball, placing the ball underneath your low back. With your feet planted squarely on the floor, cross your arms over your chest and contract your abs and raise your body up as if moving into a seated position only stop about half way. Remember, this is a crunch, not a sit-up. To intensify the exercise, you can place your fingertips behind your head. You should feel this in your abdominal area. This is one of many different ways to work your abs using a stability ball.
Melissa Allen, BS, CPT, CES. Please visit my website at http://www.optimumcondition.org/services/stretching.html
