7 moves to do with physioball

Noelina Rissman

Exercise balls shouldn’t only be used for yoga. Next time you’re at the gym, try out as many of these movements as possible for a full-body workout. Do three sets of 12-15 reps of whichever moves you choose.

1. Squat with a Ball

Start with the exercise ball between you and a wall. Make sure that it is positioned against your lower back. Have your feet positioned directly underneath your hips, shoulder-width apart. Place your hands on your hips and slowly lower yourself into a squat, allowing the ball to support you against the wall and move up to your shoulder blades. Make sure to keep your hips square and your shoulders level. Hold the bottom position of the squat for three seconds and then slowly stand back up to the starting position.

2. Hamstring Curls

Lie on your back with your arms extended to either side of you and your heels elevated on top of the exercise ball. Lift your hips off the floor and bring your knees toward your chest until the bottoms of your feet are flat on top of the exercise ball. Make sure to keep your hips stationary the whole time. Extend your knees back to the starting position.

3. Ab Tucks

Begin in a standard pushup position with your hands placed slightly wider than shoulder width apart underneath you. Position the exercise ball beneath your knees so you’re in a suspended pushup position. Tuck your knees toward your chest while the ball rolls the opposite direction toward your ankles. Extend your legs back to starting position.

4. Ball Pass

Lay on the ground with your arms extended above your head and your feet straight out. Start with the exercise ball in your hands. Engage your abdomen as you move your body into a V-shape, holding the ball above your head and your legs straight up to meet each other at the same time. Pass the ball to a position in-between your ankles — you can bend your knees slightly if you need to. Lower your arms and legs, which are now grasping the ball, at the same time.

5. Standing Plank

This is just like your standard plank but with more stability needed to prevent yourself from falling off the exercise ball. Rest your elbows and forearms on top of the ball as your body is angled down in a 45-degree angle. You should also be positioned on the balls of your feet. Make sure to engage your abs and keep your feet together. Hold this pose for at least 30 seconds for one set.

6. Balance Push-up

It’s the same concept as a decline push-up but this time on a wobbly exercise ball. Position yourself in a push-up position with your shins resting on top of the ball. Lower your torso to the ground until your upper arms are parallel to the ground. Make sure to keep your feet stable the whole time. Push yourself back up into the starting position. For more of a challenge, position the ball so that you’re at more of a decline.

7. Opposite Arm and Leg Lift

Lay with your belly button positioned directly on top of the exercise ball. For the starting position, your hands should both be flat on the ground, and you should be on the balls of your feet. As you engage your abdomen, raise your left leg and right arm — opposite sides — until they’re parallel to the floor. Hold this pose for a few seconds and then lower back down to the starting position. Alternate sides. Count one rep each side.