When it comes to working your abs, a basketball probably isn't the first tool that comes to mind. But BJ Gaddour, C.S.C.S., CEO of Men's Health StreamFIT - , came up with a fun--but tough--way to add it to your core routine.
The move: Dribbling a basketball while holding the top of a pushup position.
It's hard for two reasons, he says. First, you have to hold the position with only one arm.
"Any time you remove a base of support, your body becomes unstable," explains Gaddour. "Your shoulders, hips, lower back, and abs must work harder to maintain a rigid, straight torso."
Then, you add movement. "Dribbling a basketball adds a whole new level of difficulty," he says. (We found 3 simple tricks to perfect your form and protect your shoulders: The Best Way to Do Pushups.)
The reason: You're fighting rotation and the fast-paced movement of the ball. It takes a ton of mental and physical effort to dribble the ball without allowing your form to break.
Ready to try it? Dribble the ball with one arm for as long as possible, and then repeat on the other side. The second your pushup position form starts to fail, stop. Shoot for 30 seconds on each side to start. Can you perform it longer than that? Let us know in the comments below.
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