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Slide show
Slide show: Core-strength exercises with a fitness ball
By Mayo Clinic staff
Squat and reach
To do a squat and reach exercise with the fitness ball:
- Hold the ball in front of you and bend your knees. Keep your back straight and your arms parallel to the floor (A). Don't let your knees extend beyond your feet.
- Tighten your abdominal muscles.
- Rotate your trunk and reach with the ball toward your left (B). Hold for three deep breaths.
- Return to the start position and repeat to the right.
- Vary the exercise by holding the ball in a downward position (C) or an upward position (D).
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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