PowerSculpt For Men: The Complete Body Sculpting and Weight Training Workout Using the Exercise Ball (Includes Bonus DVD)

Rating:
Summary: An EXCELLENT user guide for fitness balls
Review: I like to exercise at least five times a week. I do weightlifting and cardio on alternate days. I'm always looking for new exercises to keep variety in my workout routine.

One of the new exercises was the use of fitness / stability / exercise / Swiss balls. The gym that I workout at has a wall chart with about 15 fitness ball exercises. I wasn't too impressed with the wall chart and I became skeptical about the ball. I thought it would be another exercise fad that would soon fade until I met an incredible kayak paddler who told me that he's a faithful fitness ball user and he credits its use to his current success as a paddler.

I looked through Amazon and I found this book. There's one marketed for women and one for men. I purchased the one for men. After getting the book and reviewing it, I'm not exactly sure why it's only marketed to men. It looks like it would be suitable for most women. I would consider this book suitable for men and women who are already in or serious about getting into good physical condition. If you're a couch potato or out-of-shape, I would recommend you NOT get this book. I'd recommend you get a more basic book.

The exercises in the book are different than those on the chart that hangs in the gym. I had concerns about safety in using dumbbells with the fitness balls. For this reason, I don't use heavy weights. Instead, I use lighter weights but trying to maintain stability while using the weights really gives a good core body workout. I still primarily use heavier weights on a bench, but for variety, I will switch to the lighter weights and the ball. I truly enjoy the change of routine and I look forward to those days when I use the ball especially when I get into a "rut" or "bored."

The daily exercises that I really like to use with the ball are those for the ABS. The reverse crunch and pike crunch are my favorites. I also daily use the stretch exercises with the ball.

There are several "advance" exercises in the book. I haven't been able to do the "advance" exercises just yet, but it's a goal of mine.

There is a DVD that comes with this book. It contains a few exercises. I wasn't too impress with it. The book (and a fitness ball) is all that you'll need.