If you are planning to start exercise or home or want to add some variety to your exercise regime, you should start making use of the exercise ball. Its great for stretching, getting rid of body rid, to get a muscular body, and for toning the muscles of your body.
You might have already observed these balls in aerobic classes or fitness store – colorful, attractive balls…remember seeing the huge balls that people lean on and do various exercises? Here’s more on the exercise ball.
Advantage of Exercise Balls
Exercise balls are huge inflatable balls, usually made out of polyester, that you can use in the privacy and comfort of your home to conduct different types of exercises. Exercise balls are also known as stability ball, Swiss ball, physio balls and medicine ball.
Also known as the Swiss Ball (they were originally created by the Swiss for therapy for newborns and infants), exercise balls help to exercise more muscles (than what you normally get with flat floor exercise); this is because you are constantly trying to remain balanced while using them. Because of this, they are used a lot to exercise the abdominal and back muscles, sometimes known as the core muscles.
Because exercising with these balls requires adjustment and balance of the spine, exercise balls are also sometimes used to treat back pains and spinal disorders.
These balls also have use as office chairs, as they can reduce lower back pain, and have been known to improve your posture.
Strengthen Your Body With Exercise Balls
Exercise balls can be used for back exercises, balance training, muscle strengthening and toning and even for yoga and pilates routines.
Most gyms have exercise balls and most fitness classes incorporate these into their fitness routines.
Before using the ball, place it on a firm and non-slippery surface. Sit down on the ball, maintaining the right balance, and being with your exercises.
Exercise balls can be used with other popular exercise equipment such as barbells or dumbbells. Exercise in a spacious area where there is no danger of bumping your head or your limbs on the wall, the table, the door, etc.
Just like with any other exercise machine, you have to start out slowly with exercise balls, learn to work with them and then progress on to more difficult exercises.
Buying an Exercise Ball
Exercise balls can also be a great addition to any home gym. Since they come in all colors and sizes, you should have no problem finding one that suits your home decor. They are also easy to store and do not require much maintenance.
Exercise balls come in different size and weight; your size will determine which size ball is best for you. These balls come in sizes such as 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, and 80 centimeters. Your legs should form a 90 degree angle and your heels should be directly planted flat below your knees; that is how you know your right size. Balls measuring 55 cm are best for people as tall as 4’11” up to 5’4″. If your height is around 5’5″ to 5’11”, go for ones that are 65 cm. For people standing 6′.0″ up to 6′.7″, 75cm is the right choice.
Some medicine balls are made of hard rubber and some are made of leather stuffed with sand. Then tend to weigh about two to thirty pounds.
A good exercise ball usually lasts for many years, whereas the same cannot be said about the cheap ones. Exercises balls come with a booklet having graphical representations of the various types of exercises that can be done using exercise balls.
Try it out for a few days, and you will surely like the results.
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