Gym ball exercises are the underrated Pilates alternative. They challenge the core, shoulders, arms, and back in a similar way and use a versatile fitness essential. I love a Pilates workout at home.

I'll admit it: For years, I avoided adding a medicine ball to my workouts. Frankly, I was intimidated by the large weighted ball, imagining it was meant solely for hard-core exercisers with 18-inch ...