This posture perfect class, taught by Victoria Fernans at Crunch Gym Miami, is a gentle and effective way to target a much neglected area of the body.

Victoria says “in this class we use the ball  which was developed by physical therapists to teach people how to control their balance by simple exercises that develop core strength, and that’s basically your abdominals, your obliques, and your back muscles.” 

The ball provides support for your back while performing pelvic tilts and ab crunches for your abdominals. Lying down, you have to balance and recruit muscles in your lower body. Sitting up, you can work your torso in a different way.

For a more advanced balancing exercise, lie down on the ball, lifting one leg at a time…you’ll really feel it in your abs.

Reverse extensions off the ball will strengthen your back…do it on your knees if you’re a beginner…get up on your toes if you’re more advanced. Push-ups will open up your chest and squeeze those back muscles together, helping correct bad posture. And finally, my favorite…a nice roll backward to release the pressure in your spine. For Fitness Magazine, I’m Bonnie Kaye.