Get on the Ball: Develop a Strong, Lean and Toned Body with an Exercise Ball [Paperback]

Lisa Westlake (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 2002

Using an exercise ball for strength and fitness may be a relatively new concept, but it's not just another exercise fad. The ball has been used extensively in rehabilitation and physiotherapy for over 30 years, with phenomenal results. Now fitness expert Lisa Westlake offers exercise buffs a simple, highly effective way to achieve a strong, defined physique using this revolutionary fitness tool. Based on the concept that working out on the "wobbly" ball forces us to use extra muscles and cultivate new skills, Westlake has developed over 90 innovative exercise techniques that will help readers achieve better muscle tone and definition as well as a stronger, healthier, injury-free body. Great for elite athletes, regular gym-goers, and determined beginners alike, Get on the Ball will show readers step-by-step how to use their exercise ball to achieve improved health and appearance. This extensive step-by-step guide is illustrated throughout with 120 duotone photographs.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press (December 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1569244936
• ISBN-13: 978-1569244937
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #319,874 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

111 of 112 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the Bible of Ball Books...and it really works!, June 14, 2003

By 

Visibly Shaken - See all my reviews

This review is from: Get on the Ball: Develop a Strong, Lean and Toned Body with an Exercise Ball (Paperback)

I have a small but respectable collection of "stability ball" videos and books, but this resource is clearly my favorite.

Westlake's book is a sexy production with typically two pages devoted to each exercise. The book is divided into sections relating first to the rationale and method of developing your body through the use of an unstable surface, next a section on warming up (of course), then presentation of exercises mostly according to position of the exerciser with respect to the ball: seated on the ball, standing with the ball, supine (face-up) on the ball, abs on the ball, etc. In the margin of each of these pages is a vertical strip that lists trainer tips (tips a personal trainer would give), stretches associated with the particular exercise, and a word of caution in performing the exercise. The next section outlines stretching exercises. The book ends with -- and this is where I feel I've really gotten *my* money's worth - fifteen different training programs, including "all [a]round workouts," "core control" training, exercises for pregnant women, stretching routines, and anatomy-specific workouts, e.g. butt, abs, etc.

This book is my favorite because it presents a huge variety of challenging exercises (and I consider myself to be in very good physical condition). In addition, the production values are of very high quality. I love the arty graphics, everything from the attractive fonts to the bulleted lists of pointers, to the white-on-navy blue trainer tips in the margin. Most people will probably never notice the whimsical gray balls that loom large in the background, but I think it's a neat, modern touch that resonates with ball enthusiasts' sense that the ball is *fun*, not to mention an invaluable tool for attaining new heights of body awareness, suppleness, agility, tone, and core strength. This book is well conceived physically, as well: although it packs a whopping 184 pages of pictures and textual information, it *seems* small and it's easy to pack, at nearly square 6.5 inches x 6.75 inches (ca. 16.5 cm x 17 cm).

My only problem with this book is that the cool and plentiful duo-tone pictures often depict the exercise at only one point in the movement. Or if there *is* a second photo, it often depicts a more difficult variation. Personally, I would prefer photos depicting the range of motion at initial, final, and even mid positions. The reader must therefore rely on the text, where a picture would have packed a more communicative punch.

I thought I was at a training plateau with my ballwork until I got this book on a recent trip to New York from Brazil. The cover's subtitle is "Develop a strong core and a lean, toned body" and Westlake means it! Since I started using the book, I've experienced a significant jump core strength, which I've especially noticed while swimming. ...Overall, this book has been incredibly motivating for me. WHAT is presented here and HOW it is presented makes this book THE Bible of all ball resources. Anyone who owns or works out with a fitness ball should definitely own a copy of Westlake's _Get on the Ball_.

46 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Beware the book binding, February 18, 2004

By 

Lisa Richards "LisaNH" (NH) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Get on the Ball: Develop a Strong, Lean and Toned Body with an Exercise Ball (Paperback)

I really like the contents of this book, but I'm finding the actual binding to be really bad. I like to lay it flat near where I am working out so that I can see the example while I do the exercise, and after a week of being very careful, many of the pages have fallen out. Very irritating. They should have made it a spiral bind, I think.

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book for ball resistance traing and stretching A+, January 21, 2005

By 

technical spectacle - See all my reviews

This review is from: Get on the Ball: Develop a Strong, Lean and Toned Body with an Exercise Ball (Paperback)

First let me preface that I have been working out on exercise balls for years and truly believe in them as exceptional fitness tools. Even advanced body builders are using the ball to improve core muscle structure and increase metabolism and flexability.

This book is exceptional in its approach. The selection of exercises encompass all training levels. Novices can immediately use the book and hard core, experience lifters can also strongly benefit. There are several very useful workouts at the end of the book which I would strongly recommend.

I only have two problems with the book.

1. The book itself will fall apart on you in the gym. I wish it were constructed a little better. At least it is not an expensive book.

2. There could have been more descriptive pictures in some of the more advanced, multi-move exercises. I had no problem understanding all of the moves but a beginner may become confused with some of the more complex maneuvers.

Other than that, this is a wonderful book. This is the one book to have when it comes to Ball training.