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Group: General Fitness & Exercise

Bender Ball?

amyksmith76 Posts: 601 Joined: 2005/07/26	2007/07/02, 01:27 PM I saw an ad on FitTV last night for a "bender ball". It's just a small green ball, appears to be about the size of a basketball only much more flexible. Well, it claims to help with crunches, leg lifts, etc. All of the basic ab routines. So, I would really like to get one. I don't believe that it will make my abs into a 6 pack in 3 weeks or anything. But, I have a bulging disc in my lower back which prohibits my laying on the floor for ab exercises. Sometimes I'll do them with a pillow under my lower back. But, this ball seems like it would really helps me out with some of those exercises. Anyone have any experience with this thing? I'm getting tired of my ab routine and really want to mix it up. Thanks!
asimmer Posts: 8,201 Joined: 2003/01/07	2007/07/03, 08:19 AM Seems like you could go to the sporting goods store and find a durable playground ball to try and see if it works for you. What do you do currently for your ab routine? -------------- While we may not be able to control all that happens to us, we can control what happens inside us. - Ben Franklin
flyonthewall Posts: 1,823 Joined: 2005/01/18	2007/07/03, 09:21 AM I saw that advert as well and had the exact same thought as asimmer! I actually have a good quality ball that I purchased more for rolling for massage purposes and it would do the same thing as the bender ball. The other thing that came to mind when i saw this was these type of moves are not for a beginner (I know you're not a beginner amyk) You'd want to already have really good core strength before doing alot of what they show!
amyksmith76 Posts: 601 Joined: 2005/07/26	2007/07/03, 01:41 PM Good idea. The playground ball thought actually crossed my mind too, but I was afraid it would pop. Asimmer, I currently do machine crunches for upper abs, I do twisting crunches on a core ball for obliques, and I (I don't know what these are called) sit on the edge of a weight bench leaned back a bit, and bring my knees into my chest, then out to straight legs for lower abs. I also sometimes will use a pillow under my bad disc to do "bicycles" or leg raises, but even with a pillow still find those somewhat painful on the back. I wanted to start trying the hanging leg raises, but can't reach the hanging bar and there is no step stool. :( Darn short legs.
asimmer Posts: 8,201 Joined: 2003/01/07	2007/07/03, 03:30 PM drag a flat bench over to the bar:) That is what I do.
amyksmith76 Posts: 601 Joined: 2005/07/26	2007/07/03, 03:40 PM Yeah, DUH! You know, you ever hear a suggestion and want to slap yourself because you were too "slow" to figure that out yourself? Yeah, that's how I'm feeling about now! ha ha. I was even considering going to the store and picking up a portable step stool to take there with me but didn't want to look like a dork. Man, maybe I should start riding the short bus to the gym! ha ha ha. Thanks again.