Exercise balls have taken the workout world by storm. They're inexpensive and uncomplicated, and they can turn an ordinary workout into a super workout that builds strength, increases flexibility, and sculpts a great-looking body. But unless people have a personal trainer, getting the hang of these exercise aids can sometimes be tricky.

Introduction 1 Part I: Rolling Exercise Balls into Your Fitness Program 7 Chapter 1: Having a Ball Getting Fit 9 Chapter 2: Choosing the Right Ball for You 25 Chapter 3: Feeding and Caring for Your Ball 39 Chapter 4: Gathering Your Gear and Getting Ready 47 Part II: Workouts to Have a Ball With 67 Chapter 5: Warming Up Your Body 69 Chapter 6: A Swimmer’s Body: Shoulders and Upper Back 87 Chapter 7: Shapely, Sexy Arms 95 Chapter 8: Walking Tall: Chest, Abdominals, and Lower Back 109 Chapter 9: Booty Patrol: Working the Butt, Legs, and Hips 127 Chapter 10: Cool It! Wrapping Up Your Workout with Easy Moves and Stretches 143 Chapter 11: Total Body Workout-in-One 155 Part III: Variety Is the Spice of Life: Doing Different Activities on the Ball 177 Chapter 12: Core Values: Pilates on the Ball 179 Chapter 13: Gaining Muscle Power: Weight Training 195 Chapter 14: Easy Stretch Workout on the Ball 211 Chapter 15: Cardio and Go: Aerobic Exercise with the Ball 231 Chapter 16: Adding Accessories to Your Workout on the Ball 251 Chapter 17: Bending Over Backward: Yoga on the Ball 265 Part IV: Using Exercise Balls in Special Circumstances 275 Chapter 18: Come On, Mama! Pregnancy Workout 277 Chapter 19: Senior Citizens Get on the Ball 293 Chapter 20: Every Kid Loves a Ball 305 Part V: The Part of Tens 317 Chapter 21: Ten Changes You Can Expect to See in Your Body 319 Chapter 22: Ten Groups That Can Use the Ball 325 Chapter 23: Ten Activities That Complement Your Ball Workout 333 Chapter 24: Ten Things You Can’t (Or at Least Shouldn’t) Do with Your Ball 339 Index 343

Build strength and increase your flexibility Tone and shape your entire body at home with ease Want to get a great-looking body using affordable equipment? Packed with step-by-step photos and crystal-clear instructions, this friendly guide shows you how to use an exercise ball in your workout, as well as incorporate it into Pilates, weight training, stretching, and aerobics routines. You'll also see how to add other gear to get even more from your workout. Discover how to Select and maintain equipmentWork every major muscle groupImprove your core stabilityEnhance your balance and coordinationAlter your workout for pregnancy and other special circumstances