The Ballast Ball is like a regular Swiss Ball on steroids. It's full of an exciting substance that makes it perfect for a killer upper body and core training workout, as shown here in this video.

Discover innovative fitness equipment, training techniques and delicious low fat recipes at Fitzness.com.

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Enrolling your kids in sports can improve their self esteem, get them in shape and help them develop a life-long habit of being active. These are some very good reasons to get them on some sort of team, yes? But there's another good reason they should get on the playing field -- playing ball as a teen can help keep their bones healthy for up to 40 years.

According to recent studies, sports like basketball, baseball, volleyball and soccer can help keep kids' bones strong well into old age, even if they don't keep the activity up. That's not to say they should give activity up as they age, but it goes to show that what you do in your teenage years can have lasting effects on your health.

So come spring, get your teenager active -- if you can, that is.

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Funky machines at the gym are cool and all, but what I really love is a super simple device that allows me to do complex exercises and get a complete workout. And, with the STOTT Pilates Mini Flex Ball, that's just what I get.

To look at the Mini Flex Ball, you might not think there are all that many moves you can do with it. My first thought was to use it as a tool for crunches and honestly, even if that's all it could do, that would be enough. But, it comes with a DVD and mini poster to help you really enhance your workout.

The DVD leads you through 26 exercises over the course of about 40 minutes, moving you from abs to glutes, to back, arms, and thighs. It's easy to follow because the instructor talks you through the exercises in addition to showing you. I don't know about you, but I find that really handy because I don't want to have to stare at the screen the whole time I'm working out and with this video, I was able to get a great workout on the first try.

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When I worked in an office, I was that girl who pushed her swivel chair away in favor of sitting on an exercise ball. To be honest, I don't know that I noticed a huge difference, but I actually found it to be really comfy and kind of fun. The only problem was when I'd get up from my desk -- it would roll away and get in the way, which is totally embarrassing if you're talking to a customer. Trust me.

Gaiam has come up with a solution -- the BalanceBall Chair, which, according to their website, "combines exercise and fitness with comfort and ergonomic support for an affordable price." At $99, it is pretty affordable, especially when you consider the fact that you'll get use out of it every day at work!

But how does it improve your fitness level? Well, for one thing, just sitting on a ball, rather than a flat seat, engages your core. Holding yourself straight requires all of the muscles through your core to remain active, whereas with a comfy seat, you might be inclined to slouch down. But that's not all.

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Bouncing a regular ball back and forth may not be much of a workout, but just try it with a reaction ball! Reaction balls are six-sided, so they bounce unpredictably. You never know if you're going to be darting to the left or the right in order to catch it.

Try standing 3-4 feet from a partner and bouncing a reaction ball toward your partner. The object is to catch the ball after only one bounce. It may not sound hard, but you'll find yourself darting back and forth and moving quickly in order to catch the ball. If you want to make it even more challenging, just back up a bit.

Not only is it a fun, effective workout. Playing with a reaction ball helps you improve your hand-eye coordination and increases your reaction time -- beneficial skills for any sport. You can also practice by yourself, by bouncing a reaction ball against a wall. Try it with your kids, too ... it's sure to be a hit!

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Fitsugar gives us a great exercise that will help strengthen your back. Not only are strong back muscles important for posture, they'll also help prevent injury. Prone Leg Raises will work your core and upper back.

• Lay your belly on an exercise ball, stabilizing yourself by placing your hands on the floor. Your legs should extend behind you with your toes touching the floor; keep your feet about hip distance apart.
• Lift your right arm and your left leg at the same time. Hold for two seconds and then return to the starting position. Try to keep the movement controlled and keep the exercise ball steady.
  
• Repeat on the other side.
  
• Repeat on each side 15-20 reps.

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The other day, I told you to how to turn fun games you played as a child into more adult-like exercise activities -- remember: if you liked four-square, try tennis or racquetball? -- and now I'm here to tell you to forget the grown-up spin on things -- just play the kid games. That's what some folks in Newport, New Hampshire are doing in an effort to get in shape while having the time of their lives.

Forget the treadmill and the gym. Old School P.E., a two-hour exercise program for adults only, is built around gym-class staples, and is anything but boring. Think Spastic Ball -- a blend of soccer and basketball -- and floor hockey with a dodgeball, or maybe some Ultmate Frisbee. Anything really, minus all the rules, and you've got the idea.

Sound like fun to you? Some say it allows you to be distracted while working out. And some women get really ripped in just six weeks -- OK, probably not a result of Duck, Duck, Goose, a game that may at least serve as a proper warm-up. Regardless, kid games are all the rage. Read more about them here.

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Hungry at the ball game? Wave down that snack vendor and order peanuts in the shell. It's your healthiest option. The worst? Nachos with cheese. Tummy grumbling while you're stuck in the airport? Pizza, no pepperoni, is your best bet. There's protein in the cheese, and the tomato in the sauce counts as a veggie serving.

According to the Today Show and Real Simple magazine, a small bag of plain pretzels or whole wheat crackers with peanut butter from a vending machine are tops compared to any variety of chips or candy bars. Headed to the movies? Pick a child's size popcorn -- no butter -- and if you must have a sweet something, Junior Mints have less fat than most other sugary options. Two more tips: Avoid all "Jumbo" choices, and definitely don't opt for Milk Duds. A whole box will fill you with more than 500 calories.

Is a stop at a mall food court in your future? How about the mini-mart? Before you head to these locations, be sure to check out this article.

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Have you ever been playing a basketball game and it was so intense and fast-paced that you couldn't take the time to look up at the scoreboard?

Well, I haven't (at least not in a long time), but for those of you who have experienced this, you're in luck, or, at least, you will be. An Australian company is working on jerseys that have "electro-luminescent displays" which will show information for the players, like the score and time left.

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Prevent muscle mutiny with these four feel-good moves from the April issue of Women's Health, on newsstands now! Instead of letting a great workout leave you feeling miserable, use some of these suggested exercises to prevent muscle imbalances in your: back, knees, neck, and shoulders.

Ball Squat with tubing

Pain-prone area: Fronts and sides of the knees
Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and wrap resistance tubing around your knees so there's no slack in the band. Place a stability ball between the middle of your back and a wall, but put only enough pressure on it to keep the ball from falling. Squat down as if sitting on a chair, pushing out against the tubing to keep your knees from caving inward. Press back up to start. Do two sets of 12 reps, resting for 30 to 60 seconds between sets.

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So low brow, I know. But my sister sent her fabulous fitness trainer counterpart (me) this ridiculous photo today and I had to share it with you. I suppose, bubblegum could be bad for more than just your teeth!

I've never looked at the stability ball this way before, but I promise I will never look at it any other way again!

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Here's a crafty do-it-yourself project for those readers interested in making their very own stress ball. You've seen the iconic, squishy stress relievers that probably sit atop every desk on Wall Street. Well, if you've ever wondered what in the world goes into making them, this home project may give you a rough idea.

In fact, the steps are definitely geared toward using a partner, so it makes for a great group activity too! You can paint or decorate the finished product for a bit of personalization -- something not everyone has tried with the store-bought variety.

There are two types of stress balls: the single balloon ball, and the dough ball. Using a funnel, the first type is filled with cornstarch. It's encouraged to read the instructions, but after funneling as much as you want into the balloon, tie it off as near to the cornstarch as possible. The second type is created by making, heating and stuffing dough into a series of balloons to make it as sturdy as possible. It wouldn't be justified cramming all the steps in here, so check out the rest of the post to find out how to make your own stress reliever!

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Want to know what professional trainers like me wish for, for Christmas? Sing along!

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me, one water-based heavy bag.

On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me, two boxing gloves.

On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me, three ropes for jumping.

On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, four Body Buggs.

On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, five Versa Steps.

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Do you know what kind of arch you have? Want to find out? Just dip your foot in water and step on a paper bag. Then look closely at your footprint.

If you're flat-footed or have a low arch, you'll see your entire footprint. If you have a high arch, you'll see a thin line between the ball and heel print. If you have a neutral or normal arch, your print will look like a half moon.

So what's your type? Whatever it is, make sure you use this information next time you go shopping for the perfect workout shoe. Different shoes support different arches -- so be sure to find the shoe that's just right for you.

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For the weekly Workplace Fitness feature here at That's Fit I've covered all kinds of ways to be healthy and get some exercise while at work, including everything from moves you can do at your desk to cardio you can do if you have a more private office. But something that's important to remember (and why the above clip is so hilarious!) is that you really need to keep your coworkers in mind and not let yourself become a distraction or annoyance to them. Yes, health is important, but huffing and puffing next to a coworker on this gadget (or on an exercise ball either for that matter!) is so not cool.

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