Get on the Ball: Develop a Strong, Lean and Toned Body with an Exercise Ball Reviews

• This is the Bible of Ball Books...and it really works!

  
  By A3D9EK1AHGZU9E on 2003-06-15
  I have a small but respectable collection of "stability ball" videos and books, but this resource is clearly my favorite.

  Westlake's book is a sexy production with typically two pages devoted to each exercise. The book is divided into sections relating first to the rationale and method of developing your body through the use of an unstable surface, next a section on warming up (of course), then presentation of exercises mostly according to position of the exerciser with respect to the ball: seated on the ball, standing with the ball, supine (face-up) on the ball, abs on the ball, etc. In the margin of each of these pages is a vertical strip that lists trainer tips (tips a personal trainer would give), stretches associated with the particular exercise, and a word of caution in performing the exercise. The next section outlines stretching exercises. The book ends with -- and this is where I feel I've really gotten *my* money's worth - fifteen different training programs, including "all [a]round workouts," "core control" training, exercises for pregnant women, stretching routines, and anatomy-specific workouts, e.g. butt, abs, etc.

  This book is my favorite because it presents a huge variety of challenging exercises (and I consider myself to be in very good physical condition). In addition, the production values are of very high quality. I love the arty graphics, everything from the attractive fonts to the bulleted lists of pointers, to the white-on-navy blue trainer tips in the margin. Most people will probably never notice the whimsical gray balls that loom large in the background, but I think it's a neat, modern touch that resonates with ball enthusiasts' sense that the ball is *fun*, not to mention an invaluable tool for attaining new heights of body awareness, suppleness, agility, tone, and core strength. This book is well conceived physically, as well: although it packs a whopping 184 pages of pictures and textual information, it *seems* small and it's easy to pack, at nearly square 6.5 inches x 6.75 inches (ca. 16.5 cm x 17 cm).

  My only problem with this book is that the cool and plentiful duo-tone pictures often depict the exercise at only one point in the movement. Or if there *is* a second photo, it often depicts a more difficult variation. Personally, I would prefer photos depicting the range of motion at initial, final, and even mid positions. The reader must therefore rely on the text, where a picture would have packed a more communicative punch.

  I thought I was at a training plateau with my ballwork until I got this book on a recent trip to New York from Brazil. The cover's subtitle is "Develop a strong core and a lean, toned body" and Westlake means it! Since I started using the book, I've experienced a significant jump core strength, which I've especially noticed while swimming. ...Overall, this book has been incredibly motivating for me. WHAT is presented here and HOW it is presented makes this book THE Bible of all ball resources. Anyone who owns or works out with a fitness ball should definitely own a copy of Westlake's _Get on the Ball_.
  
  

• Beware the book binding

  
  By ADQ3Q62WFJ5R7 on 2004-02-18
  I really like the contents of this book, but I'm finding the actual binding to be really bad. I like to lay it flat near where I am working out so that I can see the example while I do the exercise, and after a week of being very careful, many of the pages have fallen out. Very irritating. They should have made it a spiral bind, I think.
  
  

• A great book for ball resistance traing and stretching A+

  
  By A2TWZPSSY63TGK on 2005-01-21
  First let me preface that I have been working out on exercise balls for years and truly believe in them as exceptional fitness tools. Even advanced body builders are using the ball to improve core muscle structure and increase metabolism and flexability.
  
  This book is exceptional in its approach. The selection of exercises encompass all training levels. Novices can immediately use the book and hard core, experience lifters can also strongly benefit. There are several very useful workouts at the end of the book which I would strongly recommend.
  
  I only have two problems with the book.
  
  1. The book itself will fall apart on you in the gym. I wish it were constructed a little better. At least it is not an expensive book.
  
  2. There could have been more descriptive pictures in some of the more advanced, multi-move exercises. I had no problem understanding all of the moves but a beginner may become confused with some of the more complex maneuvers.
  
  Other than that, this is a wonderful book. This is the one book to have when it comes to Ball training.
  
  

• This is the Bible of Ball Books...and it really works!

  
  By A3D9EK1AHGZU9E on 2003-06-15
  I have a small but respectable collection of "stability ball" videos and books, but this resource is clearly my favorite.

  Westlake's book is a sexy production with typically two pages devoted to each exercise. The book is divided into sections relating first to the rationale and method of developing your body through the use of an unstable surface, next a section on warming up (of course), then presentation of exercises mostly according to position of the exerciser with respect to the ball: seated on the ball, standing with the ball, supine (face-up) on the ball, abs on the ball, etc. In the margin of each of these pages is a vertical strip that lists trainer tips (tips a personal trainer would give), stretches associated with the particular exercise, and a word of caution in performing the exercise. The next section outlines stretching exercises. The book ends with -- and this is where I feel I've really gotten *my* money's worth - fifteen different training programs, including "all [a]round workouts," "core control" training, exercises for pregnant women, stretching routines, and anatomy-specific workouts, e.g. butt, abs, etc.

  This book is my favorite because it presents a huge variety of challenging exercises (and I consider myself to be in very good physical condition). In addition, the production values are of very high quality. I love the arty graphics, everything from the attractive fonts to the bulleted lists of pointers, to the white-on-navy blue trainer tips in the margin. Most people will probably never notice the whimsical gray balls that loom large in the background, but I think it's a neat, modern touch that resonates with ball enthusiasts' sense that the ball is *fun*, not to mention an invaluable tool for attaining new heights of body awareness, suppleness, agility, tone, and core strength. This book is well conceived physically, as well: although it packs a whopping 184 pages of pictures and textual information, it *seems* small and it's easy to pack, at nearly square 6.5 inches x 6.75 inches (ca. 16.5 cm x 17 cm).

  My only problem with this book is that the cool and plentiful duo-tone pictures often depict the exercise at only one point in the movement. Or if there *is* a second photo, it often depicts a more difficult variation. Personally, I would prefer photos depicting the range of motion at initial, final, and even mid positions. The reader must therefore rely on the text, where a picture would have packed a more communicative punch.

  I thought I was at a training plateau with my ballwork until I got this book on a recent trip to New York from Brazil. The cover's subtitle is "Develop a strong core and a lean, toned body" and Westlake means it! Since I started using the book, I've experienced a significant jump in core strength, which I've noticed especially in my swim workouts. ...Overall, this book has been highly motivating for me. WHAT is presented here and HOW it is presented makes this book THE Bible of all ball resources. Anyone who owns or works out with a fitness ball should definitely own a copy of Westlake's _Get on the Ball_.
  
  

• Top Rated...by me!

  
  By AIDUJRDSTWVE4 on 2004-03-02
  I found this book to be so useful in getting some ball workouts accomplished. Put together well, good sections, good instructions. Like that they give you ways to make an exercise easier or harder. Book should be spiral-bound, as it gets used a lot. Great introduction section, explaining more about using the ball workouts to benefit you. Back of book shows types of training programs, with page numbers, of specific exercises that accomplish certain things - all-around workout, core, back, etc. I really love this book and have noticed results using the ball as an addition to cardio and basic strength program.

  I keep spreading the word to friends and have purchased a copy or two for family/friends.
  
  

• I love this book!
  By A2Z8I922RYGOK0 on 2005-03-06
  I am really loving this core workout. It shows alot of great workouts with differents ways to do them. They weren't all the same old same that i have seen in shape magazine. I do agree with others that the binding should be alittle nicer but if you are careful with it like i am, it won't fall apart. I also like the excersize routines at the end of the book. Made it easier to get going without taking the time to find a plan to work whatever muscles i wanted that day. There is a couple all body, a few core, few upper body, lower body and abs and backs. Also the pregnancy was good to know for the future. I think this has a good viarity for people with different skills all the way up to great physical fitness. I still find alot of excersizes challenging
  
  
• The best ball book out there
  By on 2003-12-27
  This book is truly awesome. It is very clear and takes your workout to a new level. For those of you trying to improve strengh and balance you must have this book! I honestly can't say enough great things about this little book...you have to try it for yourself
  
  
• Pretty good book
  By A22AYZGY05D2UJ on 2005-10-17
  This is a pretty good book. The only criticism I have of it is that the muscle groups worked aren't clearly marked enough in every exercise. This isn't a huge problem though. I still use the book a lot and really like the big pictures and exercise guidlines. It would be a definate asset to have if you own a body ball.
  
  
• Good content, needs better packaging
  By A2QHM5HBSIXRL4 on 2004-09-10
  I use Lisa Westlake's "Get on the Ball" as a complement to Liz Applegate's "Bounce Your Body Beautiful." There are exercises and general tips on ball mechanics that you can pull from both books to design a workout that works for you.
  
  Ms. Westlake and her editors and designers gave a lot of intelligent thought to the layout of the book - the clarity and wisdom of the arrangement are very commendable, especially the categorization of the exercises, which is superior to any book of this ilk. There are sections entitled "Seated on the Ball," "Standing with the Ball," "Abs on the Ball," etc. You get the idea. It's brilliant in its simplicity. Similar books have been arranged with different categorization ideas in mind. None are as successful as Westlake's.
  
  I also love the consistency and cleanliness with which each individual exercise is presented: two pages apiece, with sections detailing Starting Position, Action, Decrease the Challenge, Increase the Challenge, Trainer Tips, as well as a related stretch. There's also a nice duotone picture of the exercise. One small quibble - nicely pointed out by another reader here on these pages - is that there's only one picture of the exercise. Applegate's book (and others) give you two pictures, which really ought to be a requirement to give you an idea of the action of the exercise. One picture doesn't suffice.
  
  My only true complaint - a constant theme with other readers - is one that Westlake had no say over: while the book looks great (it really stands out on the bookshelf) the binding won't withstand a lot of opening and closing and sweaty usage...which doesn't make sense at all, given that this is a book you'll want to refer to and toss around during your workout. Someone at the publisher should have given the packaging decision a little more thought.
  
  
• Great Ball workouts
  By A30DQJFU3LV38D on 2005-10-03
  This book is small and easy to take to the gym and use. There are great workouts in the back that you can follow according to how you want to work out that day. The pictures and instructions are easy to follow. This book is good for all levels of workouts.
  
  
• Good book for a different workout
  By AW3DQA9ATD364 on 2007-01-04
  Tired of your same old workout in the gym. This book will give you some good ideas on mixing up your routine. Exercise balls are not just for sit-ups anymore. I had looked for a while for a book with just exercises using the exercise ball and this is the one. The dumbbell exercises that I do can be done on the ball. The added benefit is a core workout since you are using muscles to stabilize your body. The book has good pictures showing the exercise as well as text explaining the movements. The book is divided up into different sections dealing with stretching, using the ball in different positions. If you want a no nonsense exercise ball book at a good price I recommend this one.
  
  
• Programs are great, needs more photos and a lay flat binding
  By A119A912EG32U1 on 2006-11-24
  I bought the ball and got this book... The ball came with a Video, that I reviewed, but the book's last chapter "training programs on the ball" are the best. If you play the piano, you probably got taught how to break a book binder in so it stays open at the right page, if not, simply start with the cover and bend it back about a 1/4" from the edge, go through all the pages and get the bend/crease in them, now do it from the back to front folding the other direction... It sure would be easier if the book was in a spiral binding... but this works. I would find a chart (tear out) for the wall would be nice too. If you are new like me, you will find this to be a great book to get you going on the ball!
  
  
• Still shopping, but...
  By A1B3XQWH8QF51F on 2007-07-01
  I haven't purchased this book yet, but it sounds good and I might buy it, so I'll give it 4 stars because a rating is required to post a comment. To the reviewers who say the binding on the book is poor -- often when I buy a how-to book, I take it to a copy shop like FedExKinko's and have them put a spiral binding on it. If they're not busy, it just takes a few minutes, and it costs only a few dollars -- well worth the convenience of having a book that lies flat when open!
  
  
• A Good Starting Guide for New Fitness Ball Users
  By A2X7OU4UN2KOY3 on 2006-07-23
  Ms. Westlake provides a good how-to that covers streching, basic and more advanced exercises. There is a section on safety, which could be increased. As a therapist I recomend anyone using a fitness ball be on a padded surface and an able bodied spotter should be used initially. In other words, do not try some of the exercises on brick or rock surfaces (as pictured), until the technique is mastered - a gym mat may be more appropriate.
  
  
• Fitness with a Fracture
  By A17HCAKI0PFVQ0 on 2007-03-08
  I bought this book along with a dumbbell handbook after I broke my foot and couldn't go to the gym with my funky foot
  and this book helped me modify my workout and I at least maintained what I had in the sense of muscle and core strength. So if you have all your arms and legs without a fracture, I highly recommend this book.
  
  

• Tanita BC533 Glass Innerscan Body Composition Monitor

• Strength Ball Training
• Ultimate Core Ball Workout: Strengthening and Sculpting Exercises with Over 200 Step-by-Step Photos
• Weights on the Ball Workbook: Step-by-Step Guide with Over 350 Photos
• Get on the Ball for Great Abs: Exercises to Flatten Your Stomach and Strengthen Your Core
• The Core Performance: The Revolutionary Workout Program to Transform Your Body & Your Life