A FEW MINUTES A DAY: Stability ball inner thigh lift

Resistance exercises should be completed after a five- to 10-minute warm up that may consist of a combination of cardiovascular exercises and mild stretching.

When resistance training, complete the exercise eight to 12 times in one set. Complete three sets with 15-second rests between sets.

Keep your movements slow and controlled through the whole lift. You should breathe out on the most difficult part of the lift and inhale on the least difficult part.

1. Ensure you have proper posture before beginning. Even though you will be using the ball for this exercise, your head, shoulders, hips, knees and feet should be properly aligned.
2. Start out in the incline base position on the floor.
3. Lay on your side, elevating your top leg and centering your ankle on the ball.
4. Flex your lower leg at a 90-degree angle and rest it on the floor under your top leg.
5. Slowly raise your bottom leg, pause at the top and return to starting position. Repeat on the other side.
6. Keep the abdominal muscles tight and avoid rolling your hips forward or backward during the exercise.

Next week: Stability ball seated leg extension