Strength Training on the Ball: A Pilates Approach to Optimal Strength and Balance

By Colleen Craig

Book Overview

A unique series of Pilates strength-building exercises using the Swiss exercise ball, resistance bands, and weights - From the bestselling author of Pilates on the Ball and Abs on the Ball - Features specialized strength-training workouts for readers of all ages and fitness levels - Chapters include check points to help readers set realistic goals and tips for physical educators, coaches, and Pilates teachers In Strength Training on the Ball Colleen Craig shows readers of all fitness levels how to build strong bones, improve balance, and reduce body fat while toning and defining the body. Combining the unique functions of the exercise ball with the endurance- and flexibility-building benefits of strength training, Craig presents 75 ball exercises using weights, resistance bands, and the body's own resistance. Her exercise variations make strength training safe for beginners, children, teenagers, and seniors and challenging enough for the seasoned athlete. Strength Training on the Ball is modeled after Craig's groundbreaking and bestselling works Pilates on the Ball and Abs on the Ball. It contains step-by-step photographs for each of the exercises, check points to help readers set realistic yet motivating goals, and teaching tips for physical educators, coaches, and Pilates teachers. The book concludes with three specialized strength workouts: a therapeutic workout for those recovering from injuries, a basic workout for absolute beginners, and a challenging workout for athletes and gym enthusiasts.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1594770115
• ISBN13: 9781594770111
• Release Date: April 2005
• Publisher: Healing Arts Press
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 1.38 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 8.0" x 9.9"

Customer Reviews

Good Stuff From Colleen

As a Pro Trainer, there are only 2 fitness pros whose books & DVDs I approve of for my wife to use at home. Mine and Colleens! All of her stuff is good - you can get alot of good ideas from this one - check it out. Joey Atlas - The Wizard of Fitness [...]

Colleen is Amazing

I own all of Colleen's books and they just keep getting better and better. I ride horses and I was looking for a workout that would inprove my balance and help me to be more aware of what my body was doing. The best part of working out on a ball is that if you make a mistake the ball moves so you KNOW that you are doing something wrong! I recommend this book for eveyone!

A superb strength training book for everybody

This is Colleen's third "on the ball" book, and it just keeps getting better. When one hears the words "strength training", the words usually implied are "for atheletes". Colleen certainly covers challenging exercises, but she also includes chapters for rehabilitation, seniors, and one for children. What a delight! Besides the Swiss Ball, Colleen also uses stretch bands, small hand weights, and the small dynaball in the routines. The exercises using the swiss ball and dynaball simultaneously are quite challenging; they allow one to extend the concept of "core stability" to the deep muscle lines in our arms and legs. One particularly striking exercise: on p. 124, Colleen is doing a one-armed rowing motion while prone on the Swiss Ball. The non-rowing arm is balancing by holding onto a dynaball. Study that left arm! The dynaball completely alters the quality of the exercise; it makes the one-arm exercise supremely challenging for the entire upper body and both arms. Colleen herself is the model for these hand-weight exercises; the lines of her body simultaneously demonstrate fantastic strength and amazing relaxation/suppleness in her superficial muscle lines. When Colleen's "Pilates on the Ball" first came out, there were virtually no titles of "ball" exercises. Now, there are literally dozens of titles. The bad news for those other authors: Colleen is the definitive expert in this field, and she continues her path of innovation with this book. If you want to improve your strength, get this book. If you want to improve your flexibility or rehab from an injury, get this book. If you have children or parents who want to maintain/improve their strength/flexibility/fun, get this book. The Swiss Ball is no passing fad, and this book will show why.