Stability ball crunches

1. Lie on your back on the stability ball with your legs bent at the knees at about 90o and feet flat on the floor.
2. Position yourself on the ball so that your entire back, from tailbone to shoulders, is resting on the ball. Your thighs, hips, and lower abs should be approximately parallel to the floor.
3. Place your hands to the sides of your head without locking your fingers behind the head.

4. Brace your core, pulling your belly button to your spine, and bring your shoulder blades and upper back off the ball by making a crunch. Think of moving your ribcage and your pelvis closer to each other. Don’t try to lift your entire torso off the stability ball.
5. Hold the contracted position for a second and then slowly return to the starting position.
6. Repeat for the recommended number of repetitions.