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Stability Ball Pikes

5 out of 5 stars
(5 Comments & Ratings)

Target Body Part: Abs, Shoulders
Primary Muscles: Rotator Cuff, Anterior and Medial Deltoids (delts), Posterior Deltoids (delts), Rectus Abdominus (abs), Transverse Abdominus, Obliques
Secondary Muscles:
(Synergists/Stabilizers)
Trapezius (Traps), Rhomboids, Erector Spinae, Triceps, Pectorals (pecs), Serratus Anterior, Gluteus Maximus (glutes), Gluteus Medius/Minimus (Abductors), Quadriceps (quads), Adductors
Equipment Needed: Stability Ball

Step 1


Starting Position: Begin in an all-fours position with your torso on the ball and hands and feet on the floor. Lengthen your legs and stretch your heels to the back of the room. Your hands should be under your shoulders.
Take a few deep breaths. Notice how your abdominals want to rest on the ball when you inhale.
Exhale and pull your abdominals away from the ball. Try to keep them pulled away even when you inhale. This is your abdominal engagement.

 

Step 2

Once you have established your abdominal engagement, slowly walk your hands forward until your feet come off the floor. Continue walking out until the fronts of your thighs or knees are resting on the top of the ball in a plank position.

It is important to keep your ribcage knitted together and the abdominals strong in order to maintain a rigid torso. Your legs should be very active so that your entire body is straight as a board and aligned parallel to the floor.
Keep your shoulder blades pulling away from your shoulders and toward your hips. Elbows must be straight and hands directly under your shoulders. Keep your legs active.

 

Step 3

Curling Phase: Exhale. Keeping your legs straight and strong, pull your feet toward your chest. The ball will roll forward as your hips pike upward toward the ceiling. Continue this movement until your hips are directly over your shoulders. Your legs, torso and arms should all be straight and strong. Keep your neck long; your head between your arms. Your can point your toes but always keep your toes connected to the top of the ball.

NOTE: This brings your body into somewhat of a handstand position. Be aware of your shoulder strength and keep the elbows straight.

 

Step 4

Lowering Phase: Inhale and slowly lower yourself back towards the floor, returning your body to the starting position.

Avoid arching (sagging) your lower back or hiking your hips upwards in the starting position. Contract your abdominal, back and glute muscles to keep your torso and legs parallel to the floor.

Step 1

Starting Position: Lie prone (on your stomach) over the top of a properly-inflated stability ball (one that compresses approximately 6" under your body weight) with both feet and hands on the floor, hip- and shoulder-width apart.

 

Step 2

Gently exhale, contract your abdominal/core muscles to stiffen your torso and slowly walk yourself forward, lifting your legs off the floor. Continue walking out until your toes, with ankles in dorsiflexion (toes pointed towards your shins), rest on the top of the ball. Maintain a rigid torso aligned parallel with your legs. Retract and depress your scapulae (pull your shoulder back and down) as your reach your end position, with your arms fully extended and hands positioned directly under your shoulders.

 

Step 3

Curling Phase: Exhale and while keeping your legs fully extended, pull your feet towards towards your chest, rolling the ball forward as your hips move upwards (think about lifting your rear end towards the ceiling while hinging at the hips). Continue moving until you reach an inverted position where your hips are positioned directly above your shoulders, with your legs, torso and arms fully extended, and head positioned between your arms. Your toes should remain on the top of the ball, but your ankles can move into plantar flexion (toes pointed away from your shins).

 

Step 4

Lowering Phase: Inhale and slowly lower yourself back towards the floor, returning your body to the starting position.

Avoid arching (sagging) your lower back or hiking your hips upwards in the starting position. Contract your abdominal, back and glute muscles to keep your torso and legs parallel to the floor.


For professional guidance in your exercise program,
find an ACE-certified Personal Trainer in your area. Before beginning any fitness program, always see a qualified healthcare provider for advice and to address any questions or concerns. The exercises presented on this website are for suggestion only and should not be substituted for medical diagnosis or treatment. Participate at your own risk and stop if you feel faint or experience shortness of breath.







Comments & Ratings

Average Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
(5 Comments & Ratings)

00
Rated by: Moses

Would Recommend this to others?: Definitely

Comments: Great exercise for the abs, but good upper body strength (shoulders) will become evident after a few reps.

Reviewed on: 12/18/2009 1:12:10 PM PT
00
Rated by: mica

Would Recommend this to others?: Definitely

Comments: beautiful form~

Reviewed on: 1/15/2009 7:12:36 AM PT
10
Rated by: jane

Would Recommend this to others?: Definitely

Comments: This looks much easier than it is!

Reviewed on: 1/15/2009 6:54:02 AM PT
00
Rated by: Sherry

Would Recommend this to others?: Most Likely

Comments:

Reviewed on: 1/04/2009 11:04:56 AM PT
00
Rated by: Donna (ACE-certified Professional)

Would Recommend this to others?: Definitely

Comments: Wow, my favorite!

Reviewed on: 1/02/2009 4:23:27 AM PT
 
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