6 ways to exercise

1. Nerf laundry basketball

Equipment: Two laundry baskets, two dozen melon-size foam balls.

Objective: "He was wide open! I coulda sunk that trey!" you yell repeatedly at the TV. Well, could you? Here's your chance to come through on that sofa trash talk. Three, two ... Joe Fan shoots from three -- it bounces off the handle and goes in!

Goal: You won't burn the 750 calories you might if you were playing full court in the gym for an hour, but you won't be handling the nachos, either, as you shoot from downtown.

2. Swap the recliner for a fit ball.

Equipment: One fit ball (aka balance ball or stability ball).

Objective: Watch the game perched on this simple $30 ball rather than in your recliner.

Goal: Abs of steel by the time a new national champion is crowned. "This builds your core muscles," says Brian Lowery, a wellness coordinator for Rex. That is, those abdominal and back muscles that are at the core of physical strength. Perching on the ball will also aid in developing better posture and balance. Note: If sitting on the ball proves a challenge at first (don't laugh; it's not that easy to remain upright when your team is clinging to a two-point lead), try wedging it into a corner of the room and sitting on it.

Up the ante: If you tire of sitting, there are any number of exercises you can do with the ball. Try kneeling and doing push-ups on it. Or lying on it and rolling back and forth. Or simply putting your feet on it, ottoman style, and assuming a plank position. "For the money," says Lowery, "this is the best piece of exercise equipment you can have in your home."

3. Tension squeeze balls.

Equipment: $3 stress squeeze ball.

Objective: Instead of popping cheese curls during the final two minutes, grab a stress ball and squeeze away.

Goal: "I suppose it relieves stress," says Lowery, "but it mostly develops hand and forearm strength.

Note on technique: "While watching, it's important to squeeze and relax," says Lowery, "rather than to just squeeze it the whole time."

4. Play catch -- with a medicine ball

Equipment: Medicine balls, ranging from 2.2 pounds to 22 pounds.

Objective: Play catch with whoever is watching the game with you or simply toss the ball back and forth from hand to hand.

Goal: Thought the medicine ball went out with Jack LaLanne? Well, guess what? Jack LaLanne is still jack-jumping away at age 93 and the medicine ball is still a key player at most gyms. Another good way to build core stability, Lowery says.

5. Dribble -- or at least try to -- an agility ball

Equipment: $12 agility ball.

Objective: "Do this one during the commercials," advises Lowery, "because you can't play with it and watch TV at the same time." That's because the ball's irregular surface makes it take crazy, unpredictable hops that'll hone your reactions, making you more nimble than Tyler Hansbrough scrapping for a rebound.

Goal: Hone your reflexes.

6. Juggle.

Equipment: Three of whatever.

Objective: During the last two minutes, it may become imperative to get your mind off what's transpiring on the floor (and the fact you have $150 riding on an 18-year-old kid's free throw). During the ubiquitous commercial breaks, take the opportunity to keep three items aloft with two hands. A surefire way to redirect your focus.

Goal: Stress reduction, improved hand-eye coordination.