Customer Reviews

Abs on the Ball: A Pilates Approach to Building Superb Abdominals

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In this text, Colleen Craig brings a new set of core strength exercises using inflatable balls. Note: this text not only uses a Swiss Ball; it also uses a Gymnic Overball. You probably won't find the Overball at local stores; you'll have to purchase online at somewhere like balldynamics.com or just put "gymnic overball" in a search engine for a list of vendors world-wide.

The 9-inch Overball is used for 3 things: as a Magic Circle for inner thigh/core strength, a small ball for balancing on, and a means to provide support and feedback on a variety of exercises (like a mini roll-down with the ball behind your pelvis). Colleen has created some innovative exercises here. Some of the exercises are done with a mostly-deflated Overball, so it really makes sense to have at least 2 of these guys.

Colleen makes a compelling case for the use of inflatable balls for core training in the Introduction. She points to some state-of-the-art research as to why the crunch-oriented "core training" isn't really core-oriented at all. The first three chapters are must reading for any Pilates students and for anyone who wants to understand the nature of core training and why Pilates hits the target so well for these exercises.

For beginners with Pilates, I still strongly recommend getting 10-15 group or private classes under your belt before trying any of this on your own. Core training really is a horse of a different color; we do not naturally know how to do it. While the balls give you great feedback for your proprioception, there really is no substitute for a live instructor to start you off with these kind of exercises. And many Pilates instructors have picked up some training on these balls.

This is a great book for any serious student of Pilates/core strength. If you follow these exercises, you will get stronger in the most important muscles in your body. And this are total-body exercisees: the advanced exercises presented here will involve all the muscles in your body. This is some kick-abs stuff!

After only a few reps, I can feel the work! I like how it builds on moves I am familiar with and has some new ones in there.

I know that most DVDs are for most of the exercises that are done on any exercise endeavor, including those on the ball, I just wish there was a DVD to accompany this book. I believe that DVDs help to keep people motivated to exercise.
That having been stated, this a great book to "wear you out" and get you into shape. I have always thought that doing Pilates was a good thing for the average person, but the ball makes it twice as fun.
If you enjoy ball exercising and feel that it does the job you reshaping you in the way you want, this book will be a lovely addition to your exercise routine.

When I heard pilates on a ball, I was ecstatic! I was just impressed by the creativity used in coming up with such wonderful exercises.I attempted many of the exercises, and I just saw how valuable they would be to athletes, who have been using traditional exercises for a long time.This new system, is so dynamic, and I just love the fact that even seasoned exercisers would be challenged positively.
The author does an excellent job in introducing the audience to the material.I am not a die hard pilates instructor, so I appreciated it.

The exercises in this book are great--I noticed a difference just from doing the beginner exercises. You'll need more than the large ball to take full advantage of the book; you'll also need 1 or 2 smaller "gymnic overballs."

this is an absolutely challenging workout if you enjoy a pilates workout. i found the workout and the results to be most enjoyable. the instructor so thorough and good that i just ordered another dvd pilates workout by her. you won't be sorry.