Gym ball

Balance Ball - Aim For Fitness With Balance Ball Exercises

2009-12-16T12:03:00.000-08:00

Balance Ball - Aim For Fitness With Balance Ball Exercises
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Albert_Lee]Albert Lee

There are many fitness equipments that you will find in the market. You may find some that are too big for your convenience. There are also those that are too expensive. The balance ball is, so far, the best pick that you can make. Balance balls are very accessible. They are easy to find in the market. They are also very popular so you will surely find one in your vicinity.

Also, balls are very friendly. You do not need any technical knowledge so you can manage to exercise with the balance ball. At the same time, you can easily bring this wherever you want to do your exercises. As such, if you are to choose your fitness equipment, make sure you choose the balance ball. Using the balance ball regularly in your exercises will ensure you the benefits you want for your body.

Here are some exercises and workouts that you can do with your balance ball. Doing these will give your body a good sense of balance and flexibility.

1. Sitting Exercises for Warm-Up

You can use the balance ball as you warm up for your exercises. Simply sitting on it will give your body some workout without straining your muscles right away. Sitting around with the balance ball will train your body to adjust to the constant movement of the equipment.

2. Abdominal Exercises

The balance ball is perfect for abdominal exercises. You can use it as you do your stretching so that the stomach and back area will get the training challenges it needs.

3. Balance Training

There are various ways to proceed with a balance training using the ball. This will depend on what routines are prescribed by your instructor. At the least, simply lying with a small ball in your back is already a good training. The presence of the ball at your back is already a way of initiating a reaction from your nervous system.

Since you are conscious of the ball in your back, your core muscles tend to activate to the challenge. It also increases your mental focus.

Conclusion

Regularly execute your balance ball exercises. This ensures that you improve on your balance. At the same time, you also develop a healthier disposition for your body.

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FitBall Exercise Ball Chair Review

2009-12-16T12:02:00.000-08:00

FitBall Exercise Ball Chair Review
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Erika_Ayala]Erika Ayala

My company bought me FitBall Exercise Ball Chair 2 weeks ago for getting the most sales leads last month. Since I've been sedentary since I got out of college which is more than 4 years now, it takes awhile before it becomes comfortable for me. I started sitting on it for 3 hours and then I'll feel uncomfortable. I switch to my ordinary chair the rest of the day.

That was during the first few days that I was using the FitBall. From 3 hours, I started using for longer hours and right now, it's the only chair I use in the office. It's a great chair especially if you're working on laptop. We all know how working on a laptop can give us bad posture. When I started using this exercise ball, I noticed that my posture really improved. The people from the office even told me that I looked like I'm taller. A few of them have bought the product too last week. The office looked pretty colorful with all of those exercise balls.

What I like most about it is that the wheels that come with it are very useful. The wheels roll very smooth. When I need to go sit on another table I need to use another chair or I only need to push the exercise chair. The wheels are also very sturdy.

Another thing that the makers of this product did is that the ball that comes with the chair only has one size 55cm which is suitable for people with average height. It is a good size because even if a person is small or tall, the size of the ball will be perfect for them.

For more information, check other FitBall [http://www.greenbac.com/fitball-exercise-ball-chair/]Exercise Ball Chair Review.

Erika Ayala works part time for a consumer review company.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Erika_Ayala http://EzineArticles.com/?FitBall-Exercise-Ball-Chair-Review&id=2364492

3 Stability Ball Exercises

2009-12-16T12:01:00.000-08:00

3 Stability Ball Exercises
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=John_Davenport]John Davenport

Doing exercises on a stability ball is a great way to tone those muscles. The really great thing about a stability ball is that you can do these exercises at home.

Here are 3 Stability Ball Exercises

#1 - The almighty sit-up

There are probably millions of sit-ups being down all over the world each and every day. But most of them are completely useless. This is because the classic sit-up is a low intensity exercise which doesn't really get you real results.

But if you combine the sit-up with a stability ball and you got yourself an ab busting, six pack popping exercise. And you can do it at home.

Here how it goes:

Start:

Put your hands at both sides of your head and take your elbows as far back as possible (it'll make the sit-up harder). Lie on the stability ball with it positioned against your lower back. Maintain both feet on the floor.

Finish:

Raise your upper body until it's in a 45 degree position. Make sure to keep your eyes focused on the ceiling and your neck straight.

Note: many people do this exercise wrong by raising their upper body too much off the floor. This is a mistake, because anything about 45 degrees and you're no longer working your abs at all.

#2 - The Hip Extension

This exercise is for the hips and buttocks. And just so you know, even men do it.

Start: Lie on the floor with both feet propped up on the stability ball. Make sure both legs are straight and steady.

Finish: Lift your hips off the floor while maintaining position on the ball with both your feet. Feel the strain in your hips and buttocks. Hold for a few seconds and return to start position.

#3 - The Incline Oblique Curl

This is an excellent abs stability ball exercise, working the oblique stomach muscles.

Start: Lie back down on the ball at an incline angle, so your buttocks are slightly off the ground and your upper body is at a 45 degree angle to the ground. A good way to get to this position easily is to lie flat on the ball with both feet on the ground and slowly roll your upper body down towards your feet, until your buttocks are halfway to the ground. Hold both hands at the side of your head. Make sure not to exert any pressure on your neck.

Finish: Flex your abs muscles forward without shifting your lower body. At the end of the movement curl your upper body to one side. Resume start position and repeat for the other side.

Click here for more stability ball exercises [http://www.squidoo.com/Stability-Ball-Exercises-Workouts]

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John Davenport writes extensively about health and fitness issues. To receive 2 free diet and fitness report, visit his Free newsletter at http://FitFirmBody.com

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Functional Fitness Training with Fit Balls

2009-12-16T12:00:00.001-08:00

Functional Fitness Training with Fit Balls
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Daniel_Remon]Daniel Remon

Fit Balls, Swiss Balls, Physio Balls and Exercise Balls! Call them what you will, we all know what you’re talking about - those big blow up balls of different sizes and colours you have always wanted to try but never had the chance. They are becoming a favoured tool of the personal trainer, the ‘must have’ piece of equipment for the home studio, and an essential item for complete programming for the development of core strength and reduction and termination of lower back pain.

Because of a sedentary lifestyle, most people have poor posture. The muscles of the trunk are no longer able to support the body in the most efficient way possible. Because of external support from a chair, couch, car seat, etc., the neuromuscular system has "forgotten" how to maintain posture easily and efficiently. This usually leads to breakdown, pain and dysfunction.

I have found that using a Fit ball is a very effective way to correct postural alignment. Exercises on the ball can be very mild or extremely challenging depending on the needs of the client. By balancing on the ball, the client now has no other support to rely on except his or her own body. The body will automatically call on the righting and equilibrium responses, facilitating a coordinated effort of the postural muscles. The client unconsciously finds a way to balance on the ball with the least amount of muscle use possible, therefore reinforcing positive movement patterns.

Fit Balls are one of the most effective exercise tools to improve and develop spinal, pelvic and shoulder girdle stability. Total core stability is achieved along with improved posture and an increased awareness of your own body – the way it moves and the way it is designed to move. An enhanced kinesthetic sense is discovered and refined, allowing you to ‘feel’ your own actions and be able to adjust incorrect positions and movements performed throughout the exercises.

Fit Balls add variety to create new and challenging demands on the body in a number of different planes. Just about any exercise done in the gym can be performed using the Fit Ball. We all know how important variety is to every program. Not just from the point of view of changing the stimuli to allow for continued adaptation but to enhance motivation. Without it, the likelihood of adhering to our current exercise program and achieving our goals is somewhat slim.

Available in a number of sizes, from 45cm to 75cm in diametre, the right size Fit Ball is determined by your height and more importantly your leg length. While sitting on top of the ball, with calves perpendicular to the ground, your thighs should be parallel and at 90-100° with your knees and your body weight evenly distributed over both feet. This is your correct postural position. Imagine a straight line starting from your ear, travelling through your shoulder and stopping at the centre point of your pelvis. This visual connection will help you adjust and maintain correct postural alignment in the initial stages of learning with the Fit Ball.

Implementing the use of a Fit Ball recruits your ‘stabilizer’ muscles to establish and maintain a solid platform from which you develop strength, endurance and correct postural adaptations. They encourage the contraction and stimulation of deep muscle fibres within the trunk including external and internal obliques, rectus and transverse abdominals and the erector spinae and quadratus lumborum. I’m sure those of you who have sought professional advice for lower back pain and postural correction have heard of these muscles before. The relationship between the abdominal and lower back muscles is crucial to core stability, yet neither should be the sole focus of any particular training session.

When using the Fit Ball it is possible to reach muscular exhaustion without showing any normal signs of physiological fatigue due to the high involvement of stabilizing muscles and joint structures. Rotate exercises between the upper and lower regions and the trunk. This guarantees complete recovery of all muscle groups to allow each muscle to be utilized with maximum efficiency and productivity.

As with all exercise, the quality of the movement is more important than the quantity of exercise, repetitions or sets performed on the Fit ball.

The Fit ball is a great tool for the personal trainer to use. Clients enjoy using the ball, and it also promotes body awareness, improves balance and coordination, and reinforces proper spinal alignment along with a great new and challenging stimulus for your brain, as well as your body!

As a health and fitness professional for over 10 years, Daniel has personally trained more than 4000 people, on 4 continents towards the achievement of their fitness and lifestyle objectives using his unique holistic and functional approach to lifestyle enhancement. Daniel is a true leader and innovator in the industry. Daniel draws from an academic background in Human Movement, Exercise Science and Sports Management in Australia & also holds a Diploma in Massage Therapy, & Certificates in Workplace Health Promotion, Personal Training (ACSM) and Australian Training for Fitness Professionals (ATP), Golf Fitness & Conditioning, Postural Analysis, Weight Management & Fat Loss.

Daniel is the founder and CEO of Fitcorp Asia, Thailand’s only Corporate Health & Fitness Solutions Company. “We don’t just conduct personal training, we take pride in our ability to ‘coach’ our clients in all exercise science principles including nutrition and total lifestyle transformation to ensure our clients achieve a holistic goal orientated approach to their personal health and fitness endeavours.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Daniel_Remon http://EzineArticles.com/?Functional-Fitness-Training-with-Fit-Balls&id=92945

Popular Exercise Ball Ab Workouts

2009-12-16T11:59:00.001-08:00

Popular Exercise Ball Ab Workouts
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=John_C._March]John C. March

Exercise balls have become more popular among the general exercising public over the past 5-10 years. They can now be found at most gyms, and their relative low cost means that they are available to the home user, as well. Working out with an exercise ball is a lot of fun. They are easy to carry, easy to learn how to us, and they are great for doing exercises as a group.

Exercise balls are made out of elastic, soft PVC with a diameter ranging from 15-35 inches. They are mainly used for physical therapy, athletic training and physical exercise. The exercise ball is also known as the Swiss ball, balance ball, birth ball, body ball, or fitness ball.

Exercise balls help improve the efficiency of your workouts because they force your body to use micro-muscle movements to stabilize itself during exercise. The result is that you burn more calories and get stronger muscles than if you were to just sit on the floor or on a bench.

If you are interested in getting stronger ab muscles and have (or can get) access to an exercise ball, you are in luck. The exercise ball is great for building stronger stomach muscles and helping you get that washboard look. Here are three exercise ball ab workouts you can try at home or at the gym:

Face-Up Position

This one provides you with a great ab workout. Here's how:

1. Lie with your lower back on resting on the ball, face-up.
2. Put your arms across your chest or behind your head.
3. Use your abs to lift your body (torso) off the ball, swaying slightly so that your torso moves in the direction of your hips. Make sure to keep the ball stable: you should not roll the ball.
4. Lower back down while stretching your abs, then repeat for 15 reps.

Abdominal Tuck

1. Get into a push-up position, placing the ball under your knees. Your hands should be flat on the floor.
2. Bring your knees toward your chest as the ball rolls toward your ankles.
3. Return to the starting position. Be sure to stay balanced on your ball.
4. Do this for about 10 reps.

Balance Exercise

This one works your stomach muscles less directly than do the other two. However, the act of forcing your body to remain balanced on the ball will give your stomach a good workout.

1. Sit on the ball while placing your hands on your hips.
2. Stretch out your spine. Trick: imagine a string pulling your head upward.
3. Keep your feet together on the ground, just in front of the ball.
4. Lift one foot off the floor and hold this position for 3 to 5 seconds.
5. Now switch legs and repeat 8 times with each leg.

Exercise balls not only provide you with a great workout - they are also a lot of fun to use. Get yourself an exercise ball or try one at the gym next time you are there. Your abs - and your entire body - will thank you.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_C._March http://EzineArticles.com/?Popular-Exercise-Ball-Ab-Workouts&id=3274825

Medicine Ball Madness

2009-12-16T11:58:00.001-08:00

Medicine Ball Madness
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Kaleena_A_Lawless]Kaleena A Lawless

I love medicine balls! They are great for strength, power and agility training. They're not just used to throw at a boxer's stomachs, you know!

Medicine balls have been around since ancient times. They were used by athletes such as wrestlers and on the other end of the spectrum, Hippocrates' rehabilitation patients.

Medicine balls typically come in weights ranging from 2-25 lbs and can be made from various materials. Some look basketballs, some like Pilates balls and other are made from leather.

You can use the medicine ball simply as added resistance to basic exercises such as squats and lunges. Or as a substitute for free weights, like for tricep extensions and bicep curls. Alternately you can combine the basics with the free weight exercises comfortably with the ball to form some pretty badass compound exercises. My favourite compounds with the medicine balls are:

lunge + tricep extensions

walking lunges + twisting for the abs

squat + bicep curl + shoulder raise

Using the ball this way really gets your heart going and definitely makes you sweat.

Medicine balls are commonly known for power training. When I train outdoors I do a drill where I throw the ball out from my chest as hard as I can, sprint to it, throw it overhead and repeat. This really works your chest, arms, shoulders, abs and legs. With a lighter med ball I lay on my back, throw it up in to the air and catch it. However, you have to have good hand-eye co-ordination for this one and also, know how to get away from the ball, in case you can't catch it!

Medicine balls are also great for ab work. Adding a little resistance to your crunches puts on muscle and holding on to the ball is more comfortable than a free weight. Pretty much any crunch you can do, can be enhanced with a medicine ball. Try your crunches with a medicine AND stability ball. The possibilities are truly endless!

Medicine balls are affordable, transportable and durable. They make a great addition to home gyms, outdoor training and are a great way to take your workout up a notch.

Try it!

Kaleena Lawless

Personal Training Specialist http://www.kalisthenixfitnessblog.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kaleena_A_Lawless http://EzineArticles.com/?Medicine-Ball-Madness&id=1042326

How To Build A Low Cost Home Gym

2009-12-16T11:57:00.001-08:00

How To Build A Low Cost Home Gym
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Lynn_VanDyke]Lynn VanDyke

Purchasing a home gym can become quite a daunting task. Walk into any sporting goods store and your senses will quickly become stimulated. Your eyes will gaze at all the attachments and cables. Your ears will hear the greasy sales pitch from the store associate. Your mouth will drop to the floor when you realize a home gym is going to set you back thousands of dollars.

Consumers have alternatives to the clunky and expensive home gyms on the market these days. A few simple pieces of equipment can save you precious space and loads of cash. You may have heard of the following home gym alternatives, but rest assured they are just as effective as the super-duper model 5000 brand in your local sporting goods store.

A high quality adjustable bench is the first low cost piece of equipment. An adjustable bench will replace the need for an incline bench, a flat bench, and a decline bench. One adjustable bench will save you hundreds of dollars compared to buying all three single benches. An adjustable bench is highly versatile and can be used in almost any exercise.

A set or two of dumbbells is next on the shopping list. Dumbbells have long been hailed as the better choice among strength training equipment. They are much smaller than large home gym machines and much cheaper. The beauty of free weights is you can start off with 1 or 2 sets and as you become stronger you can purchase higher weights. Dumbbells are extremely versatile as well. Almost every exercise incorporates the use of weights.

The last low cost piece of equipment is a burst resistant stability ball. These balls are the best thing in fitness these days. They are excellent for abdominal work because they support the spine and isolate the stomach muscles. A stability ball works the abs more than a crunch or sit-up could ever dream of. These balls are highly versatile. The ball may even take the place of a bench in some exercises.

All three pieces of equipment are low in cost, are extremely versatile and save loads of space compared to a bulky home gym. While this equipment may not be very jazzy, it will get the job done for less money and they will take up less space in your home. Beginners or those on a budget should rejoice at the simplicity and versatility that an adjustable bench, dumbbells and a stability ball bring to fitness.

Lynn VanDyke is the proud owner of [http://strength-training-woman.com/store.html] . Her expertise is quickly becoming recognized in the fitness industry. You may find out more about the equipment by clicking on the above link.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lynn_VanDyke http://EzineArticles.com/?How-To-Build-A-Low-Cost-Home-Gym&id=81600

Stability Ball Training - Roll Into Fitness

2009-12-16T11:56:00.000-08:00

Stability Ball Training - Roll Into Fitness
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Amy_Bomar]Amy Bomar

One of the latest trends to be introduced into our industry has been Stability Ball training. Stability balls are large balls, similar to the big, plastic ones the kids play around with in the backyard, which are made of sturdy material that allows users to sit, lay, kneel, and even stand to perform varying degrees of exercises. The dynamic nature of the ball improves balance, posture, body awareness, coordination, and allows for different positioning options to increase the challenge and progress the exercise's level of difficulty.

The most important factor of all when it comes to ball training is the amount of fun it can bring into your program. Whether it is a group fitness class, private training session, or just personal use at home these balls add an element of play and excitement to your current exercise regimen. Not only are they fun, but they also provide one heck of a strength-conditioning workout at an inexpensive price!

Resist-A-BallTM, the leader in stability ball education, provide 3 different levels of challenge in their C.O.R.E. (Competent On Resist-A-BallTM Education) instructor training manuals. The position of the body is always placed in the easiest, or least amount of resistance, at first. By repositioning the body, the resistance challenge (1st level of challenge) is increased to make the exercise more difficult. The base of support is also decreased from wide and more supportive, to narrower and less supportive to increase the balance challenge (2nd level of challenge). Finally, maintaining a certain position on the ball, or performing a movement pattern while adding movement on the ball can add a dynamic challenge (3rd level of challenge).

No matter what exercise you perform on the ball to overload a particular muscle group, several others are acting as stabilizers to facilitate the joint actions of the particular prime movement. After one session of abdominal training using the ball, you'll never lay on the floor to do another crunch. That is unless you are too sore to do your next workout, which in most cases after your first ball training session you are.

Besides being a tremendous benefit to your body, it adds another layer of variety to your current strength training protocol. By replacing your bench with the ball you can add a whole new level of coordination and balance to your seated and lying exercises. Not to mention the great core muscle strength and endurance you develop from stabilizing your body during all of your sets and repetitions.

Don't delay, get on the ball and roll with it!

Sizing Tips and Guidelines

When seated on the top of a stability ball your knees should be even with your hips or slightly above.

45cm- used for shorter (generally under 5 ft) participants.

55cm- used for most people

65cm-used for taller (generally over 6 ft) participants.

Larger, softer balls are great for de-conditioned, overweight, or mature populations

The firmer the ball the more difficult the exercises are to perform; the softer the ball the easier exercises are to perform.

Amy is the NW Regional Trainer for Resist-A-Ball, Inc. and Faculty Trainer for the American Council on Exercise. Her Bachelor of Science was attained in Holistic Nutrition and is certified as a personal trainer, group fitness instructor, and yoga instructor. She also offers multiple workshops and trainings through her own company [http://www.fitlaunch.com]FIT Launch as well as providing personal training services.

To learn more and review health, wellness, and fitness products visit the [http://www.healthygatherings.com]Healthy Gatherings website.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amy_Bomar http://EzineArticles.com/?Stability-Ball-Training---Roll-Into-Fitness&id=809402

Pilates and Swiss Ball

2009-12-16T11:55:00.000-08:00

Pilates and Swiss Ball
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Sarah_Nabila]Sarah Nabila

Named after its creator, the Pilates system of exercise combines the best of Western and Eastern traditions, encouraging an awareness of body and mind working together in harmony. Born in Germany in 1880, Pilates was very sickly as a child but as he grew older he determined to make himself stronger, becoming proficient in body building and gymnastics.

After immigrating to the United States in 1926, Pilates opened a studio in New York where he taught an approach to fitness he called ontology. It was not long before he has an enthusiastic following, particularly among athletes, dancers and actors. Today, Pilates' method is enjoying a surge of popularity worldwide, not only among the general public but also among various professionals such as athletes, dancers and health care professionals.

Because Pilates emphasizes strengthening the powerhouse, the muscles between the rib cage and the hips, it is particularly useful in helping to prevent back problems. The Swiss ball, also known as an exercise, physic or stability ball was developed in the 1900s to treat neurological disorders such as spinal cord injuries and stroke. Not long afterwards, fitness professionals began to use the Swiss ball as an exercise tool in order to help improve balance and strengthen postural muscles of the abdomen, back and legs.

The benefit of the ball lies in its inherent instability; your muscles have to work to keep it stable during exercise movements, mainly those muscles of the abdomen and lower back. Available in various sizes to suit every age, height and level of ability, exercise balls are usually made of a durable vinyl. The choice of ball generally depends on the exercise method being used.

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Yoga Exercise Ball - 3 Benefits of Using a Yoga Exercise Ball

2009-12-16T11:53:00.000-08:00

Yoga Exercise Ball - 3 Benefits of Using a Yoga Exercise Ball
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Mary_Jane_Dempsey]Mary Jane Dempsey

Do you use yoga to help you get fit? If you do have you considered using a yoga exercise ball to help with your poses. In fact this piece of equipment is not only useful to those who already doing yoga regularly but for those who are only just starting to use it. For those who do yoga on a regular basis will find that helps to make the yoga exercises more of a challenge.

So what are the benefits to be gained from using a yoga exercise ball?

1. This piece of equipment forces you to use the stabilizer muscles within your body more. That in turn results in your balance and stability being improved and so putting yourself in to certain yoga poses becomes a lot easier.

2. With normal pieces of fitness equipment only certain muscles groups are being used at any one time. This unfortunately results in just your body using the major muscles whilst the much smaller ones which can be beneficial to your health are beginning to waste away.

3. By not having a solid surface to place your body on to when exercising every single fiber in your muscles is being made to work. Overtime you will begin to notice that the look overall tone and look of your body becomes more balanced. Also you will find that not only do you start to look good you feel great as well.

So as you can see from above when using a yoga exercise ball not only are you using more muscles, but the way you exercise is a lot safer for them. This form of exercise equipment is one that doesn't place high levels of stress on to these areas of your body as other fitness equipment does.

Learn More about Yoga Exercise Balls

For FREE Information Tips and Advice visit [http://exerciseballsforsale.com/yoga-exercise-ball]Yoga Exercise Ball.

For information of all types of exercise balls come to [http://exerciseballsforsale.com/]Exercise Balls

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mary_Jane_Dempsey http://EzineArticles.com/?Yoga-Exercise-Ball---3-Benefits-of-Using-a-Yoga-Exercise-Ball&id=2761707

Exercise Ball - The Cheapest, Most Versatile Exercise Equipment

2009-12-16T11:50:00.000-08:00

Exercise Ball - The Cheapest, Most Versatile Exercise Equipment
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Ilse_Hagen]Ilse Hagen

In recent years, many exercise equipment and gadgets emerged as more and more people became body-conscious and mindful of their health. One of the most popular fitness equipment is the exercise ball. No surprise there, because not only is it one of the cheapest – it is also one of the most versatile, allowing you to work out different muscles. If you're interested in purchasing one for yourself, here are some guidelines to help you choose the one that's right for you.

The 101 on exercise balls

The exercise ball is an exercise and physical therapy equipment. It is used by physical therapists' to treat lower back pain. It was recently used in regular fitness training to strengthen and develop the abs and back, and in weight or strength training to increase one's stability. It is usually made of plastic, vinyl or solid foam rubber. The balls rely on “proprioception” or the awareness of one’s foot or hand in relationship to space. The ball's instability forces the body to constantly measure its orientation in space. This helps in further increasing one's balance and stability.

How to buy an exercise ball

- If you have back-related problems, buy a ball that is approved by your doctor, spine specialist or physical therapist to prevent mishaps.

- Choose a ball that's the right size for your height. Use the following measurements as a guide:

55 cm - 4'11" – 5'4"

65 cm - 5'5" – 5'11"

75 cm - 6'0" - 6' 7"

- Choose a ball with an anti-burst system. The ball must be made of strong material that won't easily explode when punctured or pinched. If – by accident – you pinch the ball, the air inside must leak out slowly, never abruptly.

- Choose balls that can carry heavy loads especially if you're overweight. Some balls in particular can even hold more than 600 pounds of weight.

Safety information / Buying tips

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ilse_Hagen http://EzineArticles.com/?Exercise-Ball---The-Cheapest,-Most-Versatile-Exercise-Equipment&id=680880

Swiss Ball Abdominal Exercises and Their Benefits

2009-12-16T11:49:00.000-08:00

Swiss Ball Abdominal Exercises and Their Benefits
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Milos_Pesic]Milos Pesic

People who go to gyms have one thing in mind – to enhance their physical appearance. Now, if you are one of the millions out there who have been practicing abdominal trainings to strengthen and tone their abs, then there’s nothing else best for you to do than to find the right fitness equipments to use. The good news is that fitness tools and equipments are now widely available for the concerned individuals to use. One of the most popular though is the Swiss ball.

The Swiss ball, also known as stability ball, is used by fitness enthusiasts for long years now. People use it as an aid for their abdominal trainings, and it’s worth knowing that by using this equipment in your workout you can obtain a number of benefits that are all worth taking. The Swiss ball abdominal exercise benefits you can get so far include the following:

Effective Abdominal Workout – The Swiss ball abdominal exercise, when done correctly and carefully will help to strengthen abdominal muscles by directly targeting them. Yes, they work to directly affect the core muscles of your abdomen, while allowing your body to maintain balance while doing the exercises. Balance is maintained here to make the Swiss ball abdominal exercise techniques easy to execute.

Developing Core Strength – As mentioned earlier, the Swiss ball abdominal exercise will strengthen your core muscles by targeting them. Well, the muscles involved in this workout are the ones that work to stabilize and support your body throughout the practice. And, since the ball supports your body, all range of motion will be made smoother then, which in turn will lead to stronger core points.

Proper Alignment – When proper Swiss ball abdominal exercises are performed, the body will make use of its core muscle groups to support the entire system. As a result, motor reflexes will be enhanced as all the muscle groups are forced to function while keeping balance intact. As balancing improves, the body alignment is also enhanced.

Improves Endurance – Because of the fact that the Swiss ball abdominal exercises work to target the core muscles, improvement in the level of bodily strength and overall endurance can be felt. Yes, the exercises itself will assist your body through building strength. Other than, it helps your back to become stronger and flexible, then eliminating all sorts of back aches and strains.

Promotes Weight Loss – The Swiss ball abdominal exercise will finally hell promote weight loss by first lowering all the abdominal fats. The best results can be obtained though once the exercises are coupled with proper diet, the reason that those who are opting for this aim are highly recommended to observe proper dieting.

As you can see, the benefits that a Swiss ball abdominal exercise can offer are all worth considering. So if you want to benefit from it, start doing the right exercises as early as possible.

Milos Pesic is a professional fitness trainer who runs a highly popular and comprehensive Abdominal Training web site. For more articles and resources on abdominal exercises, abdominal workout tips, abdominal fitness equipment and much more visit his site at:

=> http://abs.need-to-know.net/

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Exercises Using a Swiss Ball

2009-12-16T11:48:00.000-08:00

Exercises Using a Swiss Ball
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Julie_Health]Julie Health

If you are looking for a simple and supportive way to enhance all of your workouts, finding the right tools is the key. If you are working towards new techniques and tools that will assist you in this, then a Swiss ball may make a great addition to your workout routine. Knowing what types of exercises you can do with a Swiss ball can be effective with every workout.

Exercises using a Swiss ball are focused on working your core area. The core area is one of the most important places of your body to work. It helps to control your back, keep your balance, and keep you moving forward. The core body mainly focuses on the abdominal area as well as the back muscles. Not only does this help you to gain strength in these areas, but can also help to increase balance and stability as well as the ability to control the muscles that are in your core area.

No matter what level of core training you are at, you can begin an exercise routine with your Swiss ball to help you improve. Each exercise done will isolate various parts of your core, helping to build your overall functioning from your back and forward.

The first exercise that is done with Swiss balls is known as pelvic isolation. To begin this, you will simply sit on the ball with your feet hip width apart and your arms either on your hips or your side. You will then slowly move forward with your hips. Make sure to keep your back straight. You can then move back to center and to the back. You can do this same movement by moving from side to side, or by going in complete circles.

After you have isolated your pelvis area, you can move to working on your spine and back. While you are still sitting on the ball, move your feet forward while you begin to lean back on the ball. Make sure that you use the Swiss ball in this exercise as your main support for your back. You can stop when your ball is at the upper part of your back. You can then raise your arms over your head and straighten your knees. You can hold this position for ten seconds before rolling back up.

You can also work on the upper part of your spine with the Swiss ball. You will want to change your position so that you are kneeling with the ball in front of you. You can then place your chest to rest on the exercise ball. You will roll forward with the ball on your chest, while your knees straighten. Like the other stretches, you can hold this for ten seconds, than roll back to the kneeling position.

From these stretching positions, you can move into more complex exercises with the Swiss ball. If you want to work your abs, you can find Swiss ball exercises that will isolate every area. You can begin this workout with full or half crunches. With this, you will sit on the exercise ball first. For a half crunch, you will lean back half way without moving your feet. You will do this back and forth. For full crunches, you will simply change this to leaning back all the way.

If you want to improve your core strength, you can continue with more exercises with the Swiss ball. One is known as the walk-out. You can do this for both your front area, by kneeling and placing the ball in front of you, or for your back area, by sitting on the ball. With both of these walk-outs, you will place the ball closer to your buttocks area. If you are sitting on the ball, you will walk your feet forward until the ball is at your shoulder or neck area. You will then walk back to sitting position. If you are working the front area, you will do this same thing, beginning with the ball on your chest, and walking your hands until the ball is at your feet.

By doing this simple routine, and beginning to add in other options with exercising with the Swiss ball, you will have the ability to build your core area. Whether you want a stronger back or flatter abs, using the Swiss ball is a recommended way to get there quickly and with comfort. In no time at all, you will find that your exercise routine is rolling you into a better look.

Julie Health writes about anti-aging health products and reviews at http://www.anti-aging-products.biz If you're interested, you can also learn more [http://www.anti-aging-products.biz/category/anti-aging-exercise/]anti-aging exercises.

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Don't Let the Fear of Catching Germs at the Gym Keep You From Working Out

2009-12-16T11:47:00.000-08:00

Don't Let the Fear of Catchmsing Ger at the Gym Keep You From Working Out
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Susannah_Marchese]Susannah Marchese

With flu season upon us many gym rats around this time of year choose to work out at home. Getting sick is no fun and for those who have fears of catching germs at their favorite workout place now find themselves doing their workouts at home. If this sounds like you, well you are not alone. And if you think your workout is going to suffer think again. There are many fitness equipment options for anyone looking to exercise at home. The best part is that many types of exercise equipment is cheap. Fitness savings under $30 is doable. Online fitness sites specializing in the home exercise equipment market are out there. The better ones also publish great informative articles on fitness in their blogs. Just look for blogs or articles on the sites.

One piece of gear that is a staple for personal trainers is the exercise ball. Also know as a fitness or stability ball. This ball can be purchased for around $25. A good exercise ball can range as high as $75, but you can do a lot with the less expensive one. Balls come in various diameters. And you can inflate the ball to your desired level. More air means less stability during exercises. Less air gives the user more stability through the exercises. The ball gives you versatility and allows you to work virtual every muscle group. Not bad for a inexpensive and dependable piece of fitness equipment.

Fitness Tip: Use the ball as a weight bench. Sit on it to perform shoulder presses or bicep curls, or walk out into a bridge position to perform lat pullovers or chest flies.

Another piece of fitness equipment are weighted dumbbells. Dumbbells also vary in weights. Some dumbbells come color-coded for ease of recognition. They are great for doing bicep and tricep curls. Most likely you've used dumbbells at your health facility, but now that you are working out at home, owning a few in various weights with a starting price again around $25 is a no brainer.

Fitness Tip: Having various weighted dumbbells allows for versatility. Use lighter ones for smaller muscle groups and heavier ones for bigger muscles.

Resistance Bands are another fitness gear that gives you some of the same benefits that dumbbells do. But with resistance bands the user has more versatility in the exercise. Bands come in various resistance levels and are easily transportable so if you go on vacation packing them into a suitcase isn't to hard. Use the bands for building muscle or losing pounds. Bands are relatively inexpensive to own and most bands can start as low $20 price tag.

Fitness Tip: For arms and balance, try standing on the band with your right foot, left foot off the ground, and holding the ends of the band in your hands. Perform hammer curls to challenge balance while toning your arms.

Improving your flexibility is one of the benefits a foam roller can give you. For under $25 foam rollers is one very effective balance and alignment tool for developing core stabilization. Rollers help myofacial release, loosening and stretching the fascia which is the connective tissue linking bones, the muscles and the organs. Foam rollers have been a favorite in Pilates studios used in a variety of training and exercises. Rollers effectively restructure the skeleton system improving ones posture.

Fitness Tip: Lie down on the roller length-wise with your head on one end, your spine aligned with the roller and your knees bent and feet on the floor. Lie with your arms straight out at your sides, palms up and arms on the floor, relaxing into the stretch for your shoulders and chest.

Working out at home is not a bad alternative to the gym. You'll still be able to work up a good sweat and avoid people who might be spreading germs around. And with the current economic funk we are in, it's a good way to save on the monthly gym fee. Look if you're committed to keeping your body in shape, you will always find a way to workout. Having a home gym just means you now have the option of staying at home if time and convenience come into play. And if you are involved with a personal trainer just remember they do house calls.

Susannah Marchese is an ACE Certified Personal Trainer, Licensed Massage Therapist, and a PMA Gold Standard Certified Pilates Instructor. Her information website [http://www.everythingaboutpilates.com]Everything About Pilates features articles and exercise videos about Pilates. Susannah is also a contributing writer/consultant to [http://www.wholebodymarket.com/wordpress]Whole Body Market an online fitness equipment site, as well as being a personal trainer at FitOrbit an online fitness site offering real personal training.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susannah_Marchese http://EzineArticles.com/?Dont-Let-the-Fear-of-Catching-Germs-at-the-Gym-Keep-You-From-Working-Out&id=3354545

Thera-Band Exercise Balls Review

2009-12-16T11:46:00.002-08:00

Thera-Band Exercise Balls Review
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Erika_Ayala]Erika Ayala

I learned about Thera-Band Exercise Balls when my sister had an accident and the therapist had her use this brand for her therapy. I didn't know about the brand until my trainer recommended me to to use stability balls for core strength training. I suddenly remembered my sister and called her up for the brand of the exercise ball she's been using and she said Thera-Band.

My sister has used different brands of stability balls because of her condition (her left lower leg was amputated) and she stayed with Thera-Band because the air didn't leak out. Even if she has been using it for 2 weeks daily, she didn't neet to inflate it whereas when she's using others, she needed to inflate the ball every week and many time in a few days.

I have been using the ball for 3 weeks now and it's still very firm. I don't feel scared that the ball will burst or I will be off-balanced because the material feels very strong and the ball holds my body very well. My body doesn't slip from the ball. I can concentrate on my exercises and not on being secured on the ball. My trainer is also quite impressed with the ball that I'm using.

The sizes are perfect for the recommended height. They have recommended the size of the ball based on your height. I am 5'4" and the ball that they recommended 55" is perfect for me. My trainer said maybe we needed to deflate the ball a bit so that it will not be very firm. But I like it firm so I am very happy with the size that I bought.

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Erika Ayala works part time for a consumer review company.

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Find Fitness Medicine Balls With Handles

2009-12-16T11:46:00.001-08:00

Find Fitness Medicine Balls With Handles
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Robert_Grazian]Robert Grazian

The medicine ball is a concept that was originally devised some 3,000 years ago. In these days it was nothing more than a bladder filled with sand. This has evolved over the years and you are now able to find balls in a variety of sizes and weights. The old suede stitched cover has been replaced with modern rubber or vinyl with one advantage being that the contents now stay within the ball rather than emptying across the floor of the gym. Another noticeable step on the evolutionary scale is that you can find fitness medicine balls with handles.

These new balls are available in a variety of sizes and weights and are becoming increasingly popular. They are making an appearance at nearly all gyms and training facilities due to their versatility within a whole range of training programs. People often find fitness medicine balls with handles are much easier than the original balls as they are obviously easier to grip and work with. The plain balls require a lot of strength in the wrists and forearms. This is great is that is the area where you are aiming to work on, but all too often, weak wrists will prevent the arms being strengthened. As these handled balls are easier to work with, it means that the arms, shoulders and back can be given better training.

Medicine balls with handles are also much safer when being used as a weight training device and you will often find fitness medicine balls with handles in gyms. Boxing and martial arts training centres will often favour the old fashioned versions, but handled balls are even starting to make an appearance in some of these facilities.

These days, with internet accessibility being so easy, you can find fitness medicine balls with handles available through mail order from many sports equipment companies. By checking on various websites, you can compare products for both suitability and prices before making a decision as to which is the best for you.

Although the medicine ball is a very basic and fundamental piece of training equipment, you must never underestimate the weight of the balls. You may be best to go to a gym where you will find fitness medicine balls with handles so that you can run through some basic training exercises with this piece of equipment prior to purchasing one for home use. Some products will be sold with a training chart included and you should follow all the advice that is given with the ball. It goes without saying that medicine balls are heavy. This means that if they are used incorrectly they are able to cause damage. Ensure that you are not using a ball that it too heavy for you and always treat this piece of equipment with care.

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Pilates Home Gym-Learn The Incredible Benefits That Pilates Can Have On Your Health

2009-12-16T11:44:00.001-08:00

Pilates Home Gym-Learn The Incredible Benefits That Pilates Can Have On Your Health
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Josh_Neumann]Josh Neumann

A Pilates home gym can be one of the most effective tools
to achieving your fitness goals. Instead of having to travel to the local
fitness center to do these great workouts, having a home gym is an even more
effective method to enjoying the incredible benefits of Pilates because you
don’t have to travel to do it. Here are some of the many benefits that a
Pilates home gym can perform for your health.

Pilates is an exercise that has actually been around since
the early 20th century, although it is just beginning to gain
popularity in the mainstream fitness arena. Pilates focuses on your body core
muscles which include your back, abdominals, buttocks and inner thigh muscles.
These muscles are among the most important to ensuring that you stay fit and
healthy throughout your life.

One of the many health benefits of Pilates is that it helps
to relive tensions. It accomplishes this primarily by helping you perform deep
breathing exercises.

Deep breathing exercises are among the best to help relieve
your stress, because your breathing habits actually play a huge role in
determining your overall mental state. When you are breathing heavier, you are
subconsciously telling your mind that something’s wrong; when your breathing is
smoother and slower, your body and mind relaxes.

Another key component of Pilates is that it teaches proper
stretching habits, and increases your flexibility. Quite simply, most people do
not work out nearly enough, and lead very sedentary lives. When they do decide
to exercise, they are very injury prone due to a lack of flexibility.

When they start moving their body in ways their muscles and
joints aren’t used to, the body is strained and they wind up pulling a muscle.
These can easily be avoided with some simple stretching exercises, which Pilates
provides.

A Pilates ball can be a great enhancer to your Pilates home
gym, because it focuses on your body’s core muscles and helps them achieve
balance and coordination. The balls are very instable, forcing you to focus on
balance and coordination while performing the workouts.

The ball is not just good for helping you attain greater
balance and coordination; performing your workouts on the ball will have the
added effect of reducing the shock to your joints that you might experience if
working out on the floor. This is an even greater method to ensure that you
enjoy a safe and injury free workout. Having a ball is not essential for
Pilates exercises; they are for more advanced users.

If you feel you are ready for one, a Pilates ball is
definitely worth the investment. When picking a ball, choose it according to
your height and weight to achieve the maximum benefit from the workout.

Also, you don’t just need to use a Pilates ball during
workouts; using it in your day to day activities can have a tremendous affect on
your overall posture. Whenever you sit down during the course of the day, try
sitting on the Pilates ball.

When you sit on a chair or sofa, you naturally slump due to
the ease and comfort of the furniture; with the Pilates ball, you are forced to
sit with good posture because of the balls imbalance. Therefore, you can
actually improve your overall health without even working out.

You now have the information necessary to benefit from a
Pilates work out; the choice to get started is up to you. A
Pilates home gym offers a great benefit to you and your health; now it’s up
to you to take action.

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Fitness Ball - 3 Exercises To Make You Stronger

2009-12-16T11:43:00.001-08:00

Fitness Ball - 3 Exercises To Make You Stronger
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Albert_Lee]Albert Lee

Most fitness ball exercises are designed to reach your hard-to-target muscles, such as those on the lower back or your upper and lower abdominals, which ordinary aerobic exercise might fail to address.

If you combine fitness ball exercises with the proper diet and sleep routines, then you can lose weight easily without having to pay exorbitant gym joining fees. If you perform fitness ball exercises frequently, you can also increase your resistance and endurance, and even improve your balance.

Here are a few fitness ball exercises that you might want to engage in to start your routine.

1. Use the fitness ball to do push ups.

Place your toes or ankles on the ball, lay your hands upon the floor, and spread them so that they are at a greater distance than your shoulders are from each other.

Bend yourself down to the floor through your elbows, then bring yourself back up when your elbows reach a ninety-degree angle. If you have lower back pains, you may want to use your shins or knees to support you on the ball.

2. Use the fitness ball to do lunges.

Place the ball against a wall, then place one foot on it. Straighten this leg, and bend your other leg slightly. Push your body forward in a slow lunge toward the ball, but keep your back straight, and contract your abdominal muscles.

As you find your body bending forward, hold the position and count to ten. Bring yourself back to your original standing position, then shift to the other leg. Do this twelve to fifteen times, and breathe steadily.

3. Do fitness ball exercises with dumbbells.

Use an appropriate dumbbell weight and do not overstrain your arms with excessive weights. Hold one dumbbell in each hand, then lie down with your back on the ball. Keep your head straight and your feet on the floor, but with your knees bent. Raise the dumbbells up, then bring them down back to your chest.

Bring the dumbbells to the sides, then put them back upon your chest. Repeat this exercise twelve to fifteen times. You can also lie down on the ball, this time with your navel on the fitness ball's apex. Stretch your arms by swinging the dumbbells outward and away from your body.

Conclusion

These are only a few fitness ball exercises that you can engage in. You can consult with your trainer or orthopedist on more exercises that you can add to your routine.

Just be sure to breathe steadily and avoid straining your back, and you can have your desired body and weight in no time.

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The Ultimate Swiss Ball Ab Workout

2009-12-16T11:42:00.000-08:00

The Ultimate Swiss Ball Ab Workout
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Eugene_Soh]Eugene Soh

Swiss Ball ab workouts are mid-level exercises which allow you a greater range of motion than the usual abdominal crunch. This exercise also intensifies the tension concentrated on your oblique midsection area, as the increased need for stabilization also intensifies the activation of the muscles in your abdominals, as you do your ab workouts.

Start positioning for your ab workouts by sitting firmly on a Swiss Ball, then place your feet firmly on the floor, and then walk them slowly forward, all the while leaning back and rolling up to the point that you are comfortably lying with your back firm against the ball. Make sure that before you do the movements in your ab workouts that both of your feet are firmly planted apart at a distance of a shoulder's width, and then place your right hand at the right side of your head; then place your left hand on your right oblique midsection area.

Begin your ab workouts by slowly rolling your upper body towards your left until the outside of your left foot and the inside of your right foot are firmly touching the floor. Also, try to spread your legs so that both of your feet are slightly more than a shoulder's width apart from each other.

Start your ab workouts by crunching your chest towards the side of the hip that is facing up. While your hips are a bit twisted to the side in this position of your ab workouts, you should crunch your torso as straight as you can. Do these motions in your ab workouts until you have completed one set and then turn your lower torso to the other side, and do an equal number of repetitions with this side with the same movements and the same intensity as the ab workouts which you performed on the previous side.

Before you begin your quest towards the ultimate six-pack, you must establish a solid foundation to work on. The foundation for any workout program -whether it's targeting your whole body or targeting your abdominals solely- must start with a strong core. Most individuals fail to reach their goals because their weak core limits their overall stamina and strength.

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Pilates Fitness Ball - The Best Gear For Pilates Exercises

2009-12-16T11:40:00.000-08:00

Pilates Fitness Ball - The Best Gear For Pilates Exercises
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Laura_Nicole]Laura Nicole

There are lots of merits that a person can obtain when using pilates fitness ball in every pilates exercise program. This kind tool is considered to be the safer device that everyone can make use of. Besides, a pilates fitness ball is also fun. It allows you to add variety to the workouts, so they don't get old and repetitive. It will literally bring the bounce back into your Pilates exercise.

Great Pilates Device

In most pilates workout programs, pilates ball is used to train balance and leverage. Due to the shape of the device, an individual can attain mind concentration by balancing.

In the exercise, muscle building and stretching are integrated at the same time. Everyone can now easily get pilates fitness ball since it is very affordable. Therefore, this gear can be used in every home at any time a person wants to practice pilates workout.

A Definition

It's significant to understand that the founder of pilates exercise isn't the designer of pilates ball.

Methods to Use It

Pilates fitness ball can be utilized in several different ways. Whether you're at home, at the gym or at work, you are able to use these balls for fitness aims.

Actually, pilates balls are purposed for neuromuscular coordination in the workout programs. Besides, these balls also purposed for therapeutic effects. Many people are sitting on these huge balls at homes or at offices to keep the belly and the spine muscles active. If you want to stretching, you can drape over the pilates ball.

When you have already have get the rel=nofollow [http://pilatesadvisor.com/pilates-fitness-ball/pilates-fitness-ball-get-ideal-body-shape/]pilates fitness ball, you will be able to perform a number of interesting pilates exercise on it. If you are not sure how to utilize it, you may need to visit a gym and get the instructor to teach you. This will be useful then someday you will be able to do it at home or office.

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Exercise Ball (Stability Ball) Guide

2009-12-16T11:38:00.000-08:00

Exercise Ball (Stability Ball) Guide
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=John_Mealer]John Mealer

Does Size Matter? Guide to Picking the Right Stability Ball

The Stability Ball, or Exercise Ball, is a fairly new addition to fitness equipment that has only been around for a few years now. The idea is that sitting, kneeling, or just bracing yourself on an unstable surface, activates more core muscle recruitment. It is a great piece of equipement that really makes the midsection work to keep you balanced on the ball. But there are so many different sizes out there. You just need to find the size that is right for you.

A good basic guideline is that you should pick a ball that when inflated, your knees make a 90 degree angle when sitting on the ball. It should be mentioned that the more air in the ball, the difficult the exercise will be. But for a beginner, if you are under 5'5 you would work best with a 55" ball. If you are over 5'5, you would get the most out of a 65" ball.

Remember that anything you do with your regular workout, can be done with a stability ball. The only difference is that your abs will need to focus more on keeping your body from falling over. The most common exercise for an exercise ball is the exercise ball crunch. There are many different ways to do this exercise to increase the tension on the abs. One is, as stated above, inflating the ball more; and another is that as you lay on the ball, the farther apart you spread you legs, the less tension is on the abs and more on the legs stabilizing the body. The closer your feet are to each other, the more stabilizer muscles you use in your midsection and less on the legs.

Remember: under 5'5 uses a 55", over 5'5 uses 65". Your legs should make very close to a 90 degree angle when sitting on the ball. And proper form is always key.

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Uses of the Stability Ball

2009-12-16T11:37:00.001-08:00

Uses of the Stability Ball
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Diane_Bixler]Diane Bixler

The stability ball dates back to around 1960 when the Italian toy maker Aquilino Cosani designed and sold the ball mainly in Europe and it was known as the Gymnastik Ball. It wasn't until about 1980 that the exercise ball made its way to North America being used for clinical rehabilitation.
The stability ball has been called by a variety of other common names such as Exercise Ball, Swiss Ball, Balance Ball, Fitness Ball, Physio Ball etc.

Proper ball size is determined by the user's height. When seated on the ball, your hips and knees should be close to parallel with the floor. The following is a size chart to help you determine which ball size is recommended for your height.

55cm - inflates to 21 inches high - 5'to 5'7"

65cm - inflates to 25 inches high - 5'8" to 6'3"

75cm - inflates to 29 inches high -Taller than 6'3"

Using a stability ball is great for many things. It can strengthen the back muscles, the core and abdominal muscles. If you are working out to achieve great abs, this ball can definitely target the abdominal areas.

Some easy to start exercises on the stability ball are sit-ups and crunches. These exercises will help you to use more muscles then by doing them on the floor. When using the ball for other exercises, such as holding the ball in front of you on the ground, and doing leg lifts, you want to make sure you have balance and use a focal point. Always remember to breathe and never hold your breath.

Sitting on the ball at any time, instead of in a chair, will give your body and core muscles a good workout. This will also help improve your posture and balance. By sitting straight up on the ball, this will take the pressure off of your back. The stability ball works the "foundation" or trunk in almost every exercise, whether it is a targeted activity for upper body, lower body, or specifically for the abdominals and low back. Your body can be easily positioned on the ball to go through a greater range of motion. Allows you to be comfortable "off " the floor for many exercises.

Because the ball is a little unstable and you must constantly adjust to remain balanced, use of the stability ball improves the functional strength, balance and flexibility of the body. Using free weights with the ball as a bench is great for all those stabilizer muscles.

Stability balls make great additions to anyone's home. They can easily be used at the office or even deflate them and take them with you on vacation. No matter if they are used for strengthening the abdomens, flexibility, or balancing, the list goes on. The stability ball has become very popular, very easy to use and a must have for exercising.

Visit my website at [http://www.exercisestability.com]stability balls to get all the information you need to start exercising when and where it's convenient for you.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Diane_Bixler http://EzineArticles.com/?Uses-of-the-Stability-Ball&id=910630

Exercise Ball Workouts - Benefits From Stability And Balance

2009-12-16T11:35:00.000-08:00

Exercise Ball Workouts - Benefits From Stability And Balance
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=JoiAnn_Marshall]JoiAnn Marshall

Many people are not familiar with exercise balls, but they have actually been used for some time and both exercise enthusiasts and even professional athletes tend to workout using these balls. The following are a few examples of all the fun and benefits that you can enjoy when you add exercise balls to your regular workout routine.

One of the best things that you can enjoy with exercise balls is that they are such simple pieces of equipment. There are no expensive or fancy gadgets to worry about and you don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure out how to add the balls to your regular workout. Believe it or not, these exercise balls provide you with a great way to build not only endurance, but strength as well in the core muscles of the body. This means that you are working the abdominal and back muscles. So, it can help to strengthen these two areas so that they are less susceptible to injuries.

If you are going to pick out a stability exercise ball for you, it is important that you consider your height. You can figure out the right size of ball for you by actually sitting down on the ball. It is important that you make sure that your hips and knees are level. While it is okay to have your hips a bit higher than your knees, your knees should never be higher than your hips all. Settling with an exercising ball that is too small for you is a bad idea and doing so can rob you of the great workout that balance exercise balls can provide. Even if you are overweight, you won't have to worry about causing any damage to the ball. Almost all workout balls are fine for even heavy people.

The workout ball works by learning how to keep yourself on the ball while you are actually laying on it. Doing this requires you to learn how to balance yourself on the ball and it also helps to build up your leg and abdominal muscles as you work at staying on the ball. After you have mastered the art of balancing on the ball, then you can start doing other activities as well, such as crunches. Later on you may even be able to use free weights while you are balancing on the ball. As you work out on the ball, you use more muscles than you would while doing the same exercises without the use of the ball.

Exercise balls are very fun and they are simple for you to use as well. You can use them at home and they are inexpensive as well. So, take the time to start looking for exercise balls at a store in your area. You will be sure to have a great time while toning and building your body in your exercise ball workouts.

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The Advantages and Disadvantages of Fitness Ball Exercises

2009-12-16T11:34:00.000-08:00

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Fitness Ball Exercises
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jen_Felker]Jen Felker

Most people dream of getting into shape, losing weight, and exercising more. It can mean signing up at local gyms. However, many fitness enthusiasts prefer to purchase home fitness equipment that can be effective for them. They can take the benefits of a total workout while at homes and within flexible times.

One of the best options to consider is buying a fitness ball. It is time for you to experience a unique workout at home. There are various reasons why this piece of exercise equipment has become very popular. In fact, it is utilized by most physical therapists to treat their patients back pains.

A fitness ball having a diameter of about 55 to 85 centimeter is made of elastic rubber. It is utilized in exercise and physical therapy. There are various names for a fitness ball such as exercise ball, Pilate's ball, gym ball, therapy ball, balance ball, body ball, yoga ball, sports ball, and Swiss ball.

The major benefit of a fitness ball exercise is enabling the body to respond to the ball's instability while keeping your balance and engaging more muscles as well. Keep in mind that the muscles are strengthened upon struggling to maintain the balance. The core muscles of the body, back muscles, and abdominal muscles are the target of the fitness ball programs of exercises.

Exercises done on or with a fitness ball will never bore you. In fact it can challenge your stamina, patience, perseverance and, self-discipline. This is the true form of exercising. Working the entire core muscles to achieve the best results.

A fitness ball is effective because of its rounded shape. It can create instability to induce your core body muscles to work. Compared to floor crunching, the muscles that are only working are the upper abs, but when you do the crunching on a fitness ball, the core muscles including abs muscles, back muscles, pelvic muscles, and hip muscles are working together in helping you stay on the ball.

Try doing a few pushups using a fitness ball, your hands on the floor and your feet on the fitness ball or vice versa. This exercise gives more stability when the feet are spread apart and tougher when the feet are put closely together.

Although a fitness ball provides many advantages. There are also some pitfalls especially if overused. Strength coaches revealed that the exercise ball can cause injury if not used properly. Approximately 70 percent of fitness ball exercises are considered worthless. Nevertheless, it is still prescribed by some therapists in treating patients with back pain.

Incorporating a fitness ball in your fitness program can mean surpassing all the difficult levels involved during the exercise. Each exercise requires support from your stomach muscles and back to help in keeping the trunk muscles firm.

More often then not a fitness ball is good for people who have lower back pain. Other uses include developing overall strength and control of the body's core muscles, increasing the strength of back and abdominal muscles,learning proper posture and body mechanics when lifting objects, and increasing mobility of the lower back.

Jennifer Felker CSCS. is the author of many fitness articles and research papers. Jen is the publisher of the very poular excersise and fitness blog and can be found at: http://exercise-fitness-advisory.com/

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A Fitness Ball Workout For Busy People

2009-12-16T11:32:00.000-08:00

A Fitness Ball Workout For Busy People
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Albert_Lee]Albert Lee

If you have many things to do at the office, many reports to finish, and many accounts and deals to close, you can find it more and more difficult to keep healthy and live right. You may have time to control your diet, and you can have time to relax and sleep during the weekends, but can you spare a few hours for a workout?

Going to the gym is understandably a hassle: you need to pay high gym joining fees, engage in workouts that strain your muscles more than tone them, and spend hours on boring machines that make exercise more a trial than an enjoyment.

A fitness ball workout, on the other hand, can put more verve in your workout. You need not even go to the gym to engage in a fitness ball workout: all you need to buy is a stability ball, a fitness ball workout manual, and a few hours off your day, and you can do your fitness ball workout right at your office or in your living room.

A fitness ball workout, moreover, allows you to do away with the hard wooden or concrete floor of the gym, which can wear out the soles of your gym shoes and strain your back with the impact of the floor on it.

If you are interested in engaging in a fitness ball workout, you may need to consult with your chiropractor or orthopedist first. A fitness ball workout lessens floor impact by allowing you to concentrate on flexing and moving your muscles more; this same fitness ball workout can stretch your muscles and make you over exert them without the proper training and supervision.

An orthopedist can recommend exercises to add to your fitness ball workout that will not strain your back or exacerbate any existing diseases or medical conditions that you might have.

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