There are dozens of great exercises that can be made even more effective when performed on a Swiss ball. The traditional floor crunch, for example, is a mediocre ab exercise. But, done on a Swiss ball, the exercise is made almost 45 percent more effective in recruiting muscle fibers throughout your core.

Similar benefits can be obtained from other exercises performed on this fitness orb. Rather than list a few and do my best to explain the movements with words, I thought a much better idea would be to find some video demonstrations of a variety of Swiss ball exercises. To that end, here is a great website (from the University of the Pacific) that offers .mpeg video of a very wide variety of moves and techniques.

So go ahead, join the ranks of the Swiss Army and start experiencing the fitness results you've been working toward. Each new recruit also gets a free multi-tool knife -- complete with toothpick and can opener.