Exercise of the Week: Crunches on Exercise Ball with Oblique Twist

Difficulty: Beginner to Moderate

Start: Lie on back over exercise ball so that lower portion of ribcage is positioned over center of ball. Let head rest on ball and relax hips. Keep knees wide apart and position arms across chest (easy), hands behind head with elbows out (moderate), or arms stretched out overhead (difficult).

Exercise: Engage inner abdominals first by bringing belly button inwards. Then, curl body forward on ball, keeping lower back in contact with ball at all times. As you curl forward, bring one shoulder/elbow across body in the direction of the opposite knee. Return to starting position. Alternate sides. Repeat 5-10 times each side.