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How to Do a Stability Ball Walkout

Contributor
By Sharon Heron
eHow Contributing Writer
(0 Ratings)

Stability ball walkouts are challenging exercises that tone the abdominal muscles and back. Although these exercise balls have been used for years to assist physical therapists, the great benefit of exercising with stability balls has now become apparent to the fitness world. Stability balls force multiple muscle groups to tighten as our bodies struggle to remain balanced on the ball. Because so many muscles are involved, each exercise actually becomes more efficient, and we see quicker results.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Stability ball
  1. Step 1

    Sit comfortably on the stability ball, and establish your balance. Place your hands behind your head with fingers laced and your feet about shoulder-width apart. Your knees should be bent at a 90-degree angle with your thighs parallel to the floor. Your back should be straight with your head facing forward. Tighten your abdominal muscles, aiming to press them toward your back.

  2. Step 2

    Walk your feet forward, one foot at a time. You will be rolling your bottom off the ball until your upper back is resting on the ball. Your body should be in a plank position parallel to the floor with your knees bent at a 90-degree angle. Your butt and lower back will be suspended in a straight line above the floor.

  3. Step 3

    Return to your starting position by rolling back on the ball. Use your abdominal muscles. Slowly walk backwards, one step at a time until you are seated on the ball again. This completes one repetition of the stability ball walkout.

  4. Step 4

    Complete 10 repetitions. Remember to maintain that straight posture as you extend to the complete walkout. Your movements should be slow and measured. Try lifting your feet completely off the floor with each step of the walkout.

Tips & Warnings
  • Never perform any exercise to the point of pain or discomfort. Stability balls should be purchased individually for the user. Each stability ball is sized by height, so make sure you have a ball that fits correctly for you. To check the fit, sit on the ball and make sure your legs are bent at a comfortable 90-degree angle, much like sitting on a chair.
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