A stability ball is a great piece of exercise equipment to own. They are relatively inexpensive and they are a pack up and go piece of exercise equipment you can take anywhere to have fun, effective workouts anywhere you choose. Because a stability ball offers support to your back, it is also much safer to do crunches than without a stability ball. It's the one piece of equipment you can really have a ball on!

So, you must be aching to know just how to use that precious piece of equipment to your fullest advantage. In this article, I'll share with you my 3 best stability ball abs exercises that you can do at home.

Combine these three for the best workout at home

This crunch works primarily the upper part of the abs. By resting your feet on the stability ball, you increase the need to balance your body, and this strengthens your core. Don't know what core means? It's the muscles of the abs and hips that stabilize your body.

How to do ab crunches:

• Lie on your back on a exercise mat, with your calves on the stability ball.
• Place your hands behind your ears (but don't pull yourself up by your arms or ears) and slowly crunch upwards, lifting your shoulders from the ground.
• Slowly go back to the ground, and repeat.

Notes:

• If you want to increase the intensity of the crunch, place your ankles on the ball (not your feet).

This move works primarily the internal and external obliques. If you exercise your obliques enough, you will get that nice V-shape.

How to do oblique crunches

• Drape the right side of your body over a stability ball.
• Seperate your legs to maintain a good balance.
• Place your hands behind your ears, elbow pointed.
• Slowly flex your torso towards the ceiling, crunching your obliques.
• Hold for one count and lift back to starting position.

Notes

• If you are a beginner and your balance is a bit off, it is recommended that you balance your feet against a wall when doing this exercise.
• Remember to the same amount of crunches on the opposite side.

This exercise is a bit more challenging (and more rewarding) than the previous exercise. It primarily works the lower abs, to make that tummy roll disappear. Just be careful when doing this exercise, it is very easy to hurt your back when doing abs exercises.

How to do ball crunches:

• Lie on a exercise mat on the ground, with your hips at a 90 degree angle, feet in the air.
• Position the ball tightly between your ankles and support it with your inner ankles.
• Place your arms on the ground at your sides.
• Begin by lifting your glutes of the ground and bring the ball close to your head.
• Hold the ball there for one count and lower the ball to the ground.

Notes

• The lower you go, the harder it is and the more it works your abs.
• If you are a beginner or have back problems, it is advised that you don't lower the ball as much.

So, why are these the three best stability ball abs exercises? Well, the best way to target your abs is not as if it's one muscle, but rather to target the 4 different parts of the abs. They are the rectus abdominis (the six pack part), the internal and external obliques (the side abs) and then there is one other part of the abs that move with the obliques. The exercises mentioned above targets all the the different parts of the abs, and will tone you up and give you that six pack abs look in no time.

And the best of all? You will have loads of fun on the ball while you are doing it!

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