How to Do Balance Ball Shoulder Laterals

Combining weight lifting and balance can exercise your arms and core muscles at the same time. Performing a shoulder lateral lift with dumbbells while sitting on a balance ball will give you quicker results than if you just used on a weight bench while lifting the weights.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Balance ball
• 2 10-pound dumbbells

1. Pick up 2 dumbbells and sit on the balance ball. Bend your knees at a 90-degree angle and firmly place your feet shoulder-width aparto n the floor in front of the ball. Make sure you are centered on the ball before beginning the exercise.
2. Lift the dumbbells laterally until your arms are parallel with the floor. Hold the pose for a second or two, and then slowly lower your arms. When you lift the weights, keep your palms face down and your arms out to the sides.
3. Add variety to the exercise by bending your elbows at 45 degrees when you lift the weights. Performing the exercise in this way is easier on the arms, so you won't get the maximum effort and effect of the exercise.
4. Do 2 sets of 12 to 15 repetitions of the exercise. As your fitness level improves and you get stronger, add more repetitions and more sets.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure that the maximum load on the balance ball is not exceeded. To calculate the weight you're adding to the ball, include the weight of the dumbbells and your own body weight.