You’ve probably seen large inflatable stability balls around your gym, and no, they’re not beach balls! But what can you do with them? Stability balls are a great way to dial up your ab workouts and make them both more challenging and more fun! That’s why we’ve created a mini stability ball workout that focuses on your abs. It includes:
- Crunches
- Oblique Crunches
- Roll Ups
- Bridges
In the rest of this article, we’ll show you how to do each exercise so you can perform them safely and effectively. So, clear some space, find a stability ball, and let’s get started!
Stability Ball Core Workout
Crunches
Start by lying on the stability ball with your hips and spine resting on the ball and feet planted on the floor. Place your hands behind your head and rest your head in your hands. Inhale, lean back over the ball, then exhale, engage your abs, and curve your spine back to the starting position. This completes one rep. Do 10 to 20 reps, or until failure.
Oblique Crunches
Rest your hips and spine on the stability ball, plant your feet on the floor, and rest your head in your hands. Inhale, arching your back over the ball, then exhale and turn your upper body toward your right leg as you return to the starting position. Hold for one count, then arch back over the ball to complete one rep. Do 10 to 20 reps, or until failure.
Roll Ups
Lie on your back on the floor, legs flat on the floor and arms reaching overhead. Hold a stability ball between your hands, pressing into it lightly to activate your arms and shoulders. Inhale, then exhale, engage your abs, and roll up to a seated position, starting with your arms. Keep your heels rooted into the floor and move slowly through each individual vertebrae.
Pause for one count in your seated position, reaching your arms and the stability ball overhead. Then, exhale, tuck your tailbone underneath you, engage your abs, and roll back down to the starting position to complete your first rep. Repeat 3 to 5 times total.
Bridges
Lie on your back with your feet on the stability ball and your head and shoulders on the floor. Take a deep inhale, then exhale, engage your abs and glutes, and press your feet into the ball as you lift your hips and slowly peel your spine off the floor. Inhale and hold for one count, then exhale and slowly roll back down. This completes your first rep. Do 10 to 20 reps.
Stability balls offer a great balance challenge in addition to working out every part of your abs. We hope this article gave you some ideas to incorporate them into your next ab workout!