There are a few factors that may help an individual choose between the large variety of available exercise ball DVDs. For example, some DVDs require participants to engage in a single, long workout session, such as a 90-minute program. In the alternative, some DVDs are broken down into 10- to 15-minute workouts, making them more manageable for people with little spare time. The type of exercise a person wants may affect the decision as well. Some DVDs are based on full-body workouts, while others are focused on a single body part; still others are only centered on stretching the muscles of the body.
Before selecting an exercise ball DVD, it is important for an individual to honestly consider how much time she is able to devote to a workout. Some people may be able to set aside a solid hour to workout, while others might only have time for a 20-minute workout. Some DVDs have a single workout routine that lasts a particular block of time, such as one hour. Other DVDs allow participants to select a single exercise set from a menu. The selections may be divided into shorter increments, such as a 10-minute workout.
Many times an exercise ball DVD will allow the participant to focus on the body as a whole. For example, the DVD may begin with exercises for the legs, and then move to the muscles of the upper and lower arms. Next, it may cover the abdominal muscles, and it might end with exercises focusing on the back muscles. These total body workouts may be great for some individuals, yet others may find them tedious.
In the alternative, an exercise ball DVD may focus on a single body part for the entire DVD. For example, it is possible for a DVD to only cover exercises for the legs. In that case, the DVD may focus on the calves, inner thighs, outer thighs, and the gluteus muscles. It may work on strengthening and toning those muscles alone, without even a glimpse at the arms or back muscles.
Stretching is an important part of many workouts. An exercise ball DVD may be centered only on stretching the various parts of the body. It may encourage participants to elongate the spine, twist and turn her abdominals, and increase flexibility through her arms and legs.
There are groups of DVDs that use the exercise ball to help a certain group of people improve their health. For example, some DVDs are toward the elderly, offering more gentle exercises targeted at typical problem areas for elderly exercisers. Other DVDs may be focused on people with a certain medical condition, such as arthritis, rheumatism, or even cardiovascular disease. There are even some DVDs that were created specifically for children. All-in-all there is usually an exercise ball DVD that will fit the specific needs of most individuals.