Fitness Ball: Serious Fitness Fun
Despite its whimsical appearance, the fitness ball, sometimes called a stability ball or exercise ball, is serious business for many fitness gurus and newbies alike. However, that is not to say that it cannot be fun. According to experts and experienced “ballers,” there are some authentic benefits to using this type of exercise product that are far from being trivial. Created by a European physical therapist, the ball was first used for rehabilitation purposes, but quickly evolved into a popular fitness trend as well. In recent years, it has become the focal point of innumerable exercise videos, classes, and “how-to” guides designed to help rookies learn how to use the ball to increase their strength, balance, flexibility, and overall health.
What
Is It?
The fitness ball looks exactly like a big bouncy ball that a child might
play with, but is made of PVC, a component that is sturdy enough to support
the weight of an adult. This versatile exercise product comes in several
sizes to accommodate different heights. Due to their growing popularity,
exercise balls are widely available and relatively inexpensive, especially
when compared to complex equipment such as treadmills and elliptical trainers.
How to Use It?
Two of the aspects of a fitness ball that make it so appealing to exercise
buffs are its versatility and ease of use. Virtually any exercise you
can think of can be modified to include the use of the ball, thereby minimizing
the chance that you will get bored with it.
The movements you choose to do with this particular exercise product should be based on the specific fitness goals you want to achieve. To exercise while sitting on the fitness ball, the user’s feet should typically touch the floor, with legs bent at a right angle. When used correctly and consistently, the ball can help strengthen the abs, back, and core, and increase overall balance and stability as well. Some users rest their body on the ball while lifting weights, which adds another level of muscle engagement to the traditional weight training routine.
The fitness ball is a well-suited and interesting addition to a yoga or Pilates routine. In short, its utility is truly limitless and presents an ideal alternative to those looking for safe forms of exercise equipment.
What are the Benefits?
Since many of the common exercises performed using a fitness ball can
be done without the ball, you might be wondering exactly what benefits
are to be gained from this exercise product.
Aside from the fact that it satisfies a person’s natural eagerness to play with a big, bouncy ball, the spherical shape requires that users practice balance and control in order to keep it still during any given exercise. The ball’s perpetual movement strengthens core muscles, a benefit you do not typically get when working out on a flat surface. Altogether, its visibility and motion creates motivation as it seems to scream: get up and get moving!