Sunday, July 24, 2011

What exercises to do on Bosu Ball?


The Bosu balance trainer is an inflated dome mounted on a rubberized platform. It is similar in appearance to a stability ball that's been cut in half, and is sometimes referred to as a half ball. The name is derived from an acronym that stands for "both sides utilized," because you can perform exercises with the platform side down or up. While the Bosu is similar to the stability ball in that they both bring an element of instability to your workout, the Bosu is more versatile in most cases.
V-Sit
This exercise requires you to balance your weight on top of the Bosu while holding your body in a "V" position. It targets your upper, lower and transverse abdominal muscles. Sit on top of the Bosu with your legs together. Pick your feet up off the floor, recline your torso slightly back and place your hands on the Bosu behind your hips, fingers pointed toward you. Keeping your legs together, draw your knees toward your chest. Simultaneously straighten your knees and extend your legs out at a 45-degree angle while reclining further back until your body is makes a "V" shape. To increase the challenge, extend your arms forward, parallel to your legs.
Reverse Crunch
Kneel in front of the Bosu, with its flat side face up. Place your forearms on the platform so that your elbows are directly under your shoulders and your fingertips grip the edge. Step your feet back into plank position. Your body should form a straight line from your heels to the top of your head. Engage your abdominal muscles. Draw your ribcage toward your pelvis while simultaneously bending your knees to raise your hips. Keep your forearms anchored on the platform, causing the Bosu to tilt toward you as your knees bend. Pause briefly before straightening your legs back to plank position.
Plank Tilt
The plank tilt is similar to the reverse crunch, but instead of controlling leg and hip movement with your core, you control upper body movement. Kneel in front of the Bosu with its platform up. Place the heels of your hands on opposite sides of the center of the platform, so your fingers wrap around the edge. Keep your arms fully extended with straight elbows. Step your feet back into plank position, placing your legs hip-width apart. From your heels to the top of your head, your body should form a straight line. Tilt the Bosu toward you, back to center and away from you without changing your body's position.
Bicycle
The bicycle is an intense exercise that targets every abdominal muscle. Sit on the edge of the Bosu and recline your upper body back to center your lower back on top of the ball. Raise your legs and bend your knees, so your calves are parallel to the floor. Spread your fingers, gently placing your fingertips behind each ear. Keep your elbows wide. Simultaneously draw one knee toward your chest as you curl forward to bring the opposite elbow across your body to meet it, all while straightening your other leg. To switch sides, draw the straight leg in toward your chest while extending the bent leg and rotating your torso back to the center. Bring the opposite elbow forward and across to meet your other knee. Don't pause between sides.