Fitness / Gym Balls have been used for many years in physical therapy and for good reason. Just sitting on the ball places the spine in neutral alignment (why they're often used as desk chairs) and call into action all muscles of the core or torso, referred to as the "corset" muscles -abdominals, obliques and back.

Core exercises strengthen your core muscles, including abs, back and pelvis. You can do many core exercises with a fitness ball.

Fitness balls come in various sizes. For most exercises, you'll want a ball that allows your knees to be at a right angle when you sit on the ball with your feet on the floor. The firmer the ball, the more difficult the exercise will be.

Perform your core exercises five times. Breathe freely and deeply during each exercise. Focus on tightening your deepest abdominal muscle during each exercise. This is the muscle you feel contracting when you cough. As you get stronger, gradually increase to 10 to 15 repetitions.

Let’s get started!

Exercise 1: Abdominal Crunches

Are you tired of the same old crunches? This exercise will be a little challenging. Just balancing yourself on the ball is already working on your core!

Sit on the ball with your feet resting on the floor, about hip-width apart. Keep your back straight. Cross your arms on your chest. Tighten your abdominal muscles. Lean back until your abdominal muscles kick in. Hold for three deep breaths. Return to the start position and repeat.

Exercise 2: Push-up on the exercise ball

Pushups are great, but have you ever tried these… This exercise is great for those of you that have stability problems in your shoulders, walkout work all those stabilizing muscles!

Start out prone over the ball arms shoulder width apart, wrist directly under shoulders. Keep elbows straight, but not locked. Walk out 3 to 4 steps and walk back, the further you walk out the harder it is. Repeat.

Exercise 3: Triangle Push-up on the exercise ball

This exercise is done just like a regular pushup, except you bring your hands in so that your thumbs and pointer fingers form a triangle underneath your chest. This will work your chest as well as your triceps and shoulders. Vary different pushups and you'll find that you can do more and more with greater ease. You can also do a modified version of this on your knees.

Place your hands on the ball, thumb and pointer fingers underneath your chest in the shape of a triangle. Put your feet together. Inhale as you lower your upper body (Being sure you don't dip your hips) until your chest can touch your triangle. Exhale as you push yourself back. Repeat.

Exercise 4: Rise and shine on the exercise ball

This form of sit-up doesn't let you cheat! You have to focus on using only your abs to lift you upright. When you get better at these, you will notice your abs becoming rock solid and your balance and posture getting better!

Lie on the ball with the small of your beck resting on it with your arms at your sides. Inhale as you use your abdominal muscles to pull yourself trying not to let your heels and legs come off the floor. Come up and reach out in front of you. Exhale as you return to start slowly making sure you don't arch your back when you return to the start position. Repeat.