How to do a Stability Ball Plank on Balance Trainer
Reviewed by Jim Parker, CPT, B.A. Kinesiology
Workouts with Stability Ball Plank on Balance Trainer
Instructions for Proper Form
Performing a plank with a stability ball on a BOSU Balance Trainer combines two stability challenges, significantly enhancing core engagement and balance. This advanced exercise targets the entire core, shoulders, and hips, offering an intense stability and strength workout.
- Place your elbows on the Balance Trainer directly underneath and rest your shins on top of the stability ball.
- Raise your torso and hips to create a straight rigid line from your shoulders to your hells.
- Hold this position for an allotted time.
Alternatives & Variations to Stability Ball Plank on Balance Trainer
1. Plank
92.8 mSCORESWAPPED 34 TIMESPlanks are one of the most common core exercises out there. This is a bodyweight exercise that is performed for time rather than reps. Planks don’t require any movement, instead they force you to place yourself in a position that requires you to engage your core, and maintain that muscle activation for the duration of the exercise. This is a great way to help build strength and stability in a way that will translate to a variety of other exercises, and your daily life.
2. Crunches
94 mSCORESWAPPED 29 TIMESCrunches are one of the most common exercises out there. It’s an easy to perform, bodyweight exercise that targets your abdominals. Crunches are very similar to Sit Ups, however, instead of raising your upper body all the way into a near sitting position, you only raise your shoulder blades off the ground. This is a great exercise for beginners looking to build core strength.
3. Bicycle Crunch
91.8 mSCORESWAPPED 18 TIMESBicycle Crunch is a more difficult version of a standard crunch. Instead of raising your torso off the ground for each rep, you keep your torso off the ground, and your core engaged. By cycling your legs, you add more instability to the movement, which leads to better core activation.
4. Balance Trainer Crunch
39.4 mSCORESWAPPED 17 TIMESBalance Trainer Crunch is a more difficult variation on the standard Crunch. Similar to other crunches, this is a bodyweight exercise that targets your abdominals. By using a Balance Trainer, you add more instability to the movement, which leads to better activation of your core.
5. Ab Rollout
70.3 mSCORESWAPPED 17 TIMESAb Rollout is a compound exercise that primarily targets the core. Using an ab roller, this movement challenges your ability to maintain stability as you extend your body parallel to the ground. This exercise is great for developing core strength and stability, which can translate to better performance in other strength-training movements. The instability and range of motion make this a more challenging core exercise.
- Intermediate
- Abs
- Ab Wheel
6. Leg Raise
96.5 mSCORESWAPPED 16 TIMESLeg Raise is a simple bodyweight core exercise that involves laying on the ground and suspending your legs in the air. While your core does play a significant role in raising your legs, the real benefit comes from controlling their descent back to the floor.
7. Russian Twist
96.2 mSCORESWAPPED 15 TIMESRussian Twist is one of the more common core exercises. This exercise targets multiple muscles in your core, but the reason for including this exercise is usually to target your obliques. By raising your feet off the ground, engaging your core, and twisting to each side, you can better target this specific muscle in your core.
8. Cable Wood Chop
76.3 mSCORESWAPPED 15 TIMESThe Cable Wood Chop is a compound, rotational exercise targeting the obliques and core, enhancing rotational strength and stability. It mimics real-life movement patterns, beneficial for functional strength and improving athletic performance. The cable system ensures constant tension, making it more challenging than free-weight alternatives.
- Intermediate
- Abs
- Hi-Lo Pulley Cable
9. Exercise Ball Crunch
79.2 mSCORESWAPPED 13 TIMESExercise Ball Crunch is a weighted variation of the standard Crunch. By holding a medicine ball, you can add more weight to this usually bodyweight exercise. This is a great variation for anyone looking to make their crunches more challenging.
10. Jackknife Sit-Up
60.8 mSCORESWAPPED 12 TIMESJackknife Sit-Up is a combination of a Sit Up and a Leg Pull-In. Like the other two exercises, this is a bodyweight core exercise that offers the benefits of both. It’s very similar to a Cocoon Crunch, however, you’ll be raising your entire torso off the ground, rather than just your shoulder blades. This is a great exercise for anyone looking to add some extra challenge to their core workout.