Abs on Stability Ball

[Dawncharlie]

Maybe I'm doing something wrong, but I don't feel doing abs on the stability balls works as well for me as doing abs on the floor. For example, in Core Max, I feel much more of a burn doing the first section on the floor, then the second and third segments when I'm doing the crunches on the ball. Could it be the size of the ball? Or could I be doing the crunches on the ball wrong?

Happy holidays, Cathe and everyone. Ever since I've found Cathe's workouts, I've actually enjoyed exercise (96 lbs down and counting!)

Take care,
Dawn

 

[jgoycoolea]

With reference to crunches on the ball, I don't feel them as much as on the floor either. Other exercises like the side woodchop or roll outs or jack knives I feel. But not so much crunches.

 

[glogal1]

ditto..don't feel a thing, so don't do them anymore. Hope, someone here knows what we are doing wrong, if anything!

take care
Gloria

 

[SirenSongWoman]

Hmm. I get a much better range of motion on the ball. Usually, it seems easier in the beginning but I wear out fast. Isn't it strange how different we all are?

 

[Juice]

Wow,

I must be doing something right because I find ab work on the ball to be much more intense! To the point where I do them on the floor when I want an easier workout. I am very picky about form, so maybe that is the reason? Not to say that y'all are doing them improperly, but I do feel a dramatic difference when I use the ball.

 

[Juice]

I forgot to mention that you may want to check that your ball is inflated properly and is quite firm to the touch. It makes a huge difference in difficulty for me!

 

[Rockael]

Hi Dawn, Try holding a heavy weight on your chest. It worked for me.
Rocky;-)

 

[melimcn]

I think it also depends how you position yourself on the ball. I've found that the best work for my lower abs is on the ball. Rather than sit with my butt and lower back "against" the ball, I sit more on top of it and just roll down a bit to get into situp position.
When I lean back, I'm almost arching my back around the top of the ball. Then when crunching up, give it an extra squeeze at the top for a second or two.

At this point, I'm like the poster above, where if I want an easy day, I do them on the floor.

 

[Dawncharlie]

Thanks so much everyone for all the advice. I'm going to try some of these tips on the ball.

Have a great day!
DAwn

 

[Cathe Friedrich]

Hi Dawn! There is a definite difference in how your muscles fire when doing exercises on the ball vs the floor. The ball calls more upon the stabilizer muscles, the deep core muscles, those that support the spine, low back, and pelvic region. Traditional ab work targets mostly the outer layer of the abs, the rectus abdominis. I like to cross train and do both forms of core/ab training so that I get the best of both worlds.

Happy Training!

 

[Dawncharlie]

Thanks, Cathe, and everyone for the great advice and information! I noticed in Core Max that Cathe has us lift our pelvises when we do crunches on the ball, so I've been trying to do that, too. Have a happy new year!

Dawn