When I was in better shape (meaning, about 40 pounds ago), I spent about 3 days a week working on my core strength. If you aren’t familiar with the term, “core” refers to the band of muscles that run from your sides under your ribcage to the front on either side of your belly button. It’s these muscles that support your body and help you stay upright. When they are weak, you don’t stand up straight, which leads to backaches. If you stand sideways in front of a mirror and notice that you are leaning forward slightly, it’s more than likely because you have a weak “core”.

Mine is so weak right now after three children and all this weight gain, I’m practically falling on my face. And believe me, I’m not happy about it. There are several different ways to strengthen your core muscles, and one way is by using a small inflated ball under your back. Laying on a ball forces your muscles to automatically engage to keep you from rolling off.  Also, instead of just lifting yourself up off the floor like with a traditional “crunch” exercise, laying on an exercise ball means you work your muscles while lifting up, and also while laying back.

I got a Bender Ball kit to review from Family Review Network, it’s sold on TV infomercials. It comes with a little straw thing that you insert into a hole in the ball and then use to blow it up. I did a Google search of “Bender Ball” to see what consumer reviews were saying about it, and one thing I noticed was many complaints that the ball “didn’t blow up all the way”. It’s NOT SUPPOSED TO. It’s supposed to be squishy so that it gives with your weight as you lay on it. If it was blown up all the way, you would bounce off of it!!

To be honest, I’m too overweight and too weak for this to work. I could get the ball under my lower back, but I couldn’t move. At ALL. Which just motivates me that much more to burn off some of this dang fat so that I can FIND my core muscles so I can strengthen them!

The basic Bender Method Kit is $9.99 on VHS and $12.98 for DVD, and includes a manual that explains the method, the Core Training DVD, and a bonus Buns & Thighs DVD. The Bender Ball site also has a Total Core Training Kit that comes with more DVDs.  I know from experience that core training works, you’ll feel like you are standing up straighter and your stomach will pull in.  I hope to be able to have that experience again soon!