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Slide show
Slide show: Core-strength exercises with a fitness ball
By Mayo Clinic staff
Reverse crunch
To try an advanced core exercise, do the reverse crunch with the fitness ball:
- Lie on the ball on your stomach, with your feet touching the floor behind the ball. Lean forward until you touch the floor with your hands. Walk your hands away from the ball until you feel the ball reach your upper thighs. Keep your shoulders directly above your hands.
- Tighten your abdominal muscles.
- Press your knees into the ball, as shown. Then use your abdominal muscles to bring your knees toward your chest. Hold for three deep breaths.
- Return to the start position and repeat.
References
- Laskowski ER (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. July 14, 2011.
- Krupa NL (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. July 8, 2011.
- Selecting and effectively using stability balls. American College of Sports Medicine. http://www.acsm.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=brochures2&Template=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=4740. Accessed July 6, 2011.
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