Tennis Ball Massage

When we got married, my husband and I verbally agreed not to have a TV in the bedroom.

That didn't happen, much to my chagrin.

It prompted some harmless (albeit frustrating) arguments in the early part of our marriage, particularly during hockey and football season, when my husband's deepest desire seems to be to fall asleep to the soothing sound of sports announcers' lulling voices . My deepest desire is to fall asleep to, well, quiet.

And then, we came up with this great compromise. So great, in fact, I'm actually lamenting the approaching end of hockey season.

The compromise is this: My husband gets to watch his sports in bed if and only if he rubs my back until A) he turns the TV off, or B) I fall asleep, whichever comes first. (If I fall asleep and wake up to find the TV still on, he has to resume the back rub.)

With the end of hockey season approaching, and a lull in sports on TV in my household looming (at least until football starts), I am in danger of experiencing a serious lack of back rubs.

I have, however, discovered a substitute that, while not nearly as relaxing as a real back rub, will suffice until some channel or other starts airing pre-season football.

I call it The Tennis Ball Massage. Not only is it an effective way to work out some nagging kinks in your back, but it also provides something of a  lower-body workout, as it engages your legs and a bit of your core.

All you need is a tennis ball and a wall.

1. Start by leaning against the wall, placing the tennis ball between your back and the wall, on one or the other side of your spine.

2. Slowly bend your legs, allowing the tennis ball to roll up/down your spine. As you bend your legs, be careful not to allow your knees to pass your toes.

3. Continue for as long as desired and repeat as often as you like.

For a short demo, view the brief video below.

Fast Fitness Tip: If you like to walk for exercise, recreation, or relaxation, and are looking for a way to kick it up a notch, try walking backwards for short intervals during your stroll. Make sure to choose a safe, even surface--and preferably an area of low-traffic. Choose part of your route you know well, so you aren't likely to trip over any unfamiliar roots, stones, cracks in the sidewalk--whatever. Walking backwards actually activates different muscle groups in your legs than does walking forwards, so switching it up during your regular walk can add some variety and work different muscles in different ways.