Power Up Pilates Exercises With Fitness Balls

Fitness balls are often used as part of a Pilates routine, and some types of fitness balls are called Pilates balls. There’s no 'one and only' Pilates ball, but the ball most often used in Pilates exercises is a small ball approximately 9 inches in diameter, such as the FitBALL® Mini. One way to work a Pilates ball into your home exercise routine is by using the ball to add resistance to a standard crunch. Here’s how to do it: -Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. -Place a Pilates ball between your upper thighs, just above your knees. -Cross your arms over your chest. -Lift your torso up into a crunch, keeping your head in line with your spine, and squeezing the ball with your thighs. The small size of a Pilates ball makes it a handy piece of home exercise equipment, and it’s good for travel, too.