Keep On Creeping On
Working out with the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.
Advanced exercise with stability ball gets stomach region, quads into shape.
The move: An exercise to strengthen the core and leg muscles.
Works on: Strengthening the rectus abdominus, obliques and quadriceps.
Level of difficulty: Advanced.
Precautions: Use caution and consult a physician before performing this exercise if you have any pre-existing conditions of the shoulders and lower back.
Setup: Lie on your stomach on top of a stability ball with feet hip-width apart and hands shoulder-width apart. Slowly walk your body forward until the thighs and knees are on top of the ball. At the end of the position, ensure that your palms are directly under the shoulders.
The steps: Slowly pull your knees toward your chest, bringing the ball toward your torso. Continue moving until your knees are positioned under hips and your shins are on top of the ball. To return to the starting position, move your knees away from your torso.
Repetitions: Perform as many repetitions as you can, working up to 12.
Options: Place yourself into push-up position and bring one leg at a time into the chest.
Meet: Salvador Castro Title: Fire engineer, Station 40
Years of service: 27
Age: 61
Home: La Jolla
Personal: Married, one daughter
Activities/Interests: Photography, glider pilot
This article was in the Union-Tribune on Page E3 on Tuesday, April 28, 2009