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

by Colleen Craig (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Craig preempts reader doubts about the need for her latest fitness-on-the-ball book with a first chapter called "Why Another Book on Abdominal Conditioning?" Here, she explains the drawbacks of some traditional abdominal conditioning methods, the implications of recent research, the benefits of the Joseph H. Pilates method of core strengthening and the ways that an exercise ball enhances an abdominal workout. Then Craig takes the reader from the fundamentals of Pilates-based abdominal work on a ball (from breathing to body parts) and on to basic, intermediate and advanced exercises. The book concludes with a series of 15 and 30-minute workouts incorporating moves described in previous chapters. Black-and-white photos clearly illustrate how each exercise should be done, making this book appropriate even for those with a limited fitness vocabulary. 150 b&w illustrations.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
. . . rings a fresh element to fitness training that will complement basic exercise collections in both public and academic libraries. -- Deborah Anne Broocker, Library Journal, May 1, 2003

Ms. Craig offers a refreshing approach to abdominal training while using some of the very effective and popular Pilates techniques. -- Susannah Kent, Vitality Magazine, June 2003

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Healing Arts Press; 1 edition (March 27, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 089281098X
• ISBN-13: 978-0892810987
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #86,579 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

81 of 81 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Innovative exercises in the style of Pilates, June 29, 2003

By A Customer

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!

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great workout. The ball relaxes you, October 1, 2004

By	omigod "whatageek" (Zanzibar) - See all my reviews

There is something about the ball that relaxes you - maybe the shape takes you back to the womb....

Anyway, this workout is a great complement to the advanced Pilates workout I do with a teacher every week. The exercises feel different, deeper and harder with the ball.

Most of the explanations are pretty clear, but it would help to see the workout on video.

I only regret the layout of the exercise flow at the end of the book... It is kind of hard to flip around the book if you need more explanations while you are doing the workout flow. It would be better if they added a kind of pull-out chart with the exercises, and references to the pages of the exercises on it.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I only wish there was a DVD on this, January 10, 2005

By	Ruth Sprague (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.