"Almost every exercise we do using our The Vew-Do Boards gives us an ab workout"- Kristen O'Neil - New England Patriot Cheerleader

In 2006 I interviewed Kristen O'Neil, (At the time a veteran NFL cheerleader for the New England Patriots). She exposed her NFL cheerleading training and workout methods. The conversation became known as " The Workout Confessions of an NFL Cheerleader."

Read on and what you will find out is information on how Kristen and the rest of the New England Patriot Cheerleaders work out and use their Vew-Do Zone Balance Boards for their balance, fitness and agility training. Let's get on with the confession.

Workout Confessions Of An NFL Cheerleader

Everybody knows that NFL cheerleaders must maintain a healthy, fit and glamorous appearance, but what you might not know is the amount of physical training that's involved to keep themselves sculptured, yet glamorous and performance ready.

Kristen clued me in to the fact that although they train hard but they don't want to build a lot of bulk and muscle tissue. We're talking bodies like a ballet dancers not a weight lifters.

Their training method includes conventional conditioning and training routines like running and cardio workouts, aerobics and even kickboxing ... along with the use of elliptical machines and light weight training.

A balanced nutritional program is also a very important because starving yourself doesn't work and is not healthy. Like any athletic performer, cheerleaders need to replenish their energy stores through proper dieting and hydration. Cheerleaders are susceptible to cramping, muscle pulls and tears just like any other athletic performer.

The shape of low impact fitness training for these curvaceous professionals means the Vew-Do Balance Board has become a non-conventional but integral part of their workouts. Check out what some of training methods are...

Vew-Do Board Push-Ups - This all-around favorite of Kristen and the rest of the squad can be done with a single board or an additional board. With the single board set up on a "roller" rock, the arms are placed shoulder width apart at each end of the top of the board similar to a conventional push-up.

With the legs extended and the toes pointed, a conventional push-up is performed with an added twist that really works the abs. During the up and down motion of the arms, the board is teeter-rolled from left to right. When this move is done correctly, the added side to side motion puts an additional torque in the abdomen area.

By adding an additional board to the foot area, the combination of the push-up, the lateral "teeter" rock balancing and the additional board at the feet, transforms this exercise into a total-body, strength, balance and conditioning workout.

Vew-Do AB Isometrics - Another ab favorite Vew-Do exercise of Kristen is an isometric ab toning exercise. This is done by placing the Vew-Do on the teeter rock, positioning her body vertically to the board and gripping each end.

Unlike a pushup, where hand placement is directly under the shoulders, the hands are positioned forward of the shoulders with the arms and legs extended, toes pointed and supporting her body in a stationary position. By holding herself in this isometric position, after a few seconds, you begin to feel that "ab burn" that tells you you're doing it right. This also works the triceps, shoulders and upper back muscles.

Vew-Do Inclined Squats – This exercise works the quads, calves and abs. The secret to this workout is the added benefits of the inclined Vew-Do Board. Using the teeter rock, the board is placed on an incline. First, perform your squat facing down the inclined board like a skier and it works the quads, calves and abs. Facing up the inclined board adds balance training to the workout and transfers the benefit to the hamstrings, the front of the ankle area and again, the abs.

By: Rick Contrata

"Balance, coordination and agility are key to achieving grace. The Vew-Do Balance Board gives us one training device to help us get the results our clients want. The exercises we have developed can be used by anyone looking for low impact to high impact total body workouts."- Radu, world famous fitness guru and personal trainer to the stars.