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Exercise Ball Exercises to Do While Watching TV

No longer do you have an excuse to be lazy when the weather isn't nice or it's dark outside. There are exercises you can do with an exercise ball while watching TV inside the comfort of your home. These exercises will help you lose weight or maintain your present weight and, in many cases, you will hardly notice you're burning calories.

  1. Squats

    • Place the ball between a flat wall and the curve in your back, a couple of feet off the ground. With your feet shoulder-width apart, bend your knees so that they reach a 90-degree ankle, and then raise back to a standing position. The ball will roll along your back as you do this exercise. Make sure you apply enough pressure on the ball so that it doesn't fall to the ground. This exercise will help tone your thighs and your back side.

    Crunches

    • Sit on the exercise ball with your feet shoulder-width apart. Cross your arms across your chest and lean back until you feel your abdominal muscles start to work. Hold this position for three to five seconds and return back to your starting position. This exercise will tighten your abdominal muscles, but will also improve your balance, as your muscles are working to keep you balanced when you are sitting on the ball.

    Side exercise

    • Lay down on your left or right side and brace yourself with your arms so that you are balanced. Place the exercise ball between your legs. Raise your legs until you start to feel your abdominal muscles start to tighten. Hold the position for three to five seconds and return to the starting position. You could feel more comfortable by placing a pillow on the ground to rest on.

    Lunges

    • Place the exercise ball behind you, and put your leg on the ball so that you knees are bent and the top of your foot is flat against the ball. Place your hands on your hips. Dip down with the leg that is on the ground until you feel your quadriceps muscles working. Return to your starting position. Do this exercise with both legs, rotating between sets of five or 10. This exercise will help you build quadriceps, burn calories and improve your balance.

    Tips

    • Exercise balls come in a variety of sizes. They can even be used by very large people, considering some exercise balls can support up to 1,000 pounds. It's a great way to burn calories while watching TV. The most ideal size of exercise ball is one that allows your knees to be at a 90 degree angle while you sit comfortably on it.

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