Do Exercise Ball Workouts Really Work for Weight Loss?

Women doing exercise ball workouts at homeExercise Ball Workouts offer a big advantage over many other types of workouts. As your muscles do different exercises on the ball, you are also working your stabilizer muscles at the same time. It’s like getting two workouts in one.

These muscles support your abs, spine and lower back. So in addition to tightening your abs for a flatter midsection, you are strengthening your stabilizer muscles than help prevent and alleviate back pain plus improve your posture.

More Advantages to Exercise Ball Workouts:

Another great thing about an exercise ball (sometimes called a balance ball) is that it is cheap. You can buy one for less than $20. Furthermore, that is all the equipment you need to do the workouts.

In addition, you can easily take it with you when you travel. Simply deflate it and stick it in your travel bag. Most exercise balls come with a small hand pump that you can take with you as well.

Exercise Ball Workout Chart
courtesy of http://www.liftbigeatbig.com

Get an Exercise Ball + Workout to Follow

Complete Gaiam Balance Ball Kit with Workout DVD and PumpGaiam Total Body Balance Ball Kit

If you are new to exercise ball workouts, this is a great ball to get because it comes complete with 2 workout DVDs included. It also comes with a resistance band you can use in your balance ball workouts and a pump to inflate the ball.

At about $20, this is a steal. I even use my exercise ball as a chair when I’m sitting at my desk. It feels great on my back and helps me keep my core engaged. That ball definitely has paid for itself with the use I get out of it.

How do you know which ball is the right size for you? When you sit on it, you want your quads to be parallel to the floor with your legs forming a 90 degree angle. If you’re sitting high, the ball is too big, if you’re sitting low, the ball is too small.

Workout in Only 10 Minutes?

10-Minute Fitness Ball Workout VDV10 Minute Exercise Ball Workouts

If you are short on time or simply want to workout in 10-minute increments, this is a great option. This video has several 10-minute workouts included. Each focuses on a different area of the body (ie butt and thigh, arms & shoulders, core) or a different style of workout (ie cardio, stretch).

On the other hand, you can mix and match the sessions. Due to the shorter increments, you can combine them to create a longer workout too.

What I like about 10 or 15 minute workouts is that it’s much easier to get started mentally. However, once you get started it is easy to keep going. Next thing you know, it’s been 30 minutes or an hour.


10-Minute Pilates Exercise Ball Workouts

This program is made by the same company as the video above. Plus, it comes with the same 10-minute strategy. Each session works different parts of the body in differently and can be done separately or mixed and matched together into a complete workout.

The main difference between this video and the one above is the pilates aspect – where the focus is on strengthening your core.

If you’re on the fence about which video to get, consider getting both. One way that I keep myself motivated is to switch up my workout videos so that I don’t do the same thing everyday. If your goal is to get maximum results with minimum effort, this “switch-up” strategy helps because it works your muscles in multiple ways.

By the way, my favorite after-workout recovery shoes are Adidas Adissage sandals. They feel super comfortable, plus give your feet extra relief after a high impact workout.

Exercise Ball Specifically for Back & Core Routines

Strong Core And Back Kit Back Care

This stability ball is cool! I know people start using an exercise ball because of back pain. Basically, they get one to exercise and strengthen their core or they buy one to sit on while they are working. If this sounds like you, you may want to check out this option.

This peanut-shaped ball helps engage your core more efficiently, while stretching and strengthening your spine. It also includes a workout DVD with (3) 10-minute workouts:

  1. Core Focus
  2. Strong Core and More
  3. Back Pain Relief