Let’s get on the ball, the stability ball that is! This is one of the most versatile pieces of equipment used today by Personal Trainers and group fitness equipment and it’s great for home exercisers too. The Stability Ball has a prominent role in the world of clinical rehabilitation so it’s not some sort of gimmick. Just sitting on the ball creates an unstable environment which is great to strengthen our core!
For around $20, it makes a great inexpensive fitness tool. Unlike some of the other pc’s of equipment that just sit around and collect dust, you can use a stability ball to sit on at your desk or sit on while watching TV! At NRG 4 Life Fitness I’ve always said we have the most balls in Uxbridge!!
More recently, due to their effectiveness in developing balance and core strength, we integrate them into workouts, classes and we show our members various ways to use them in a multiple of applications.
The Stability Ball was originated for rehabilitation purposes (spinal injuries), but now it has crossed over to a wide variety of training types. The Stability Ball is a great tool for incorporating spinal stabilization, core strength and endurance, and balance and coordination to any routine. It is also a good way to had spice to your workout.
In Europe, they have been used in schools as chairs. The benefit of this type of application has reported as; improved focus, concentration, handwriting skills, better understanding of class material, and better organizational skills. There are several pilot studies in the US using the Stability Ball in schools and the preliminary data is consistent with that found in Europe.
The Stability Ball is likely one of the most versatile pieces of equipment. It’s fun, it’s easy to use and everybody from pediatrics to geriatrics literally finds the stability ball to be something unique, effective, inexpensive and productive. Another unique feature about the stability ball is that b/c of the balance required, it employs the neuromuscular system in a way that no other piece of exercise equipment can. The stability ball can do wonders to restore and improve balance too.
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.
NRG 4 Life trainers and instructors have attended many workshops and courses over the yrs that have given us a huge repertoire of exercises that can be done on the ball from sitting on the ball, lying on the ball, lying on the floor with legs or arms over the ball, on an incline, decline, bridge position on the ball, yoga, pilates, strength work on the ball, stretching, even cardio can be done on the ball! The options are endless and we incorporate them in personal training sessions and many of our group fitness classes from Bootcamp, circuits, Yoga, Pilates etc. In fact, the only limitation encountered when using this great conditioning tool is your imagination.
Below is some more insight about choosing the right size ball and practices to ensure your stability ball experience is safe and effective.
Ball Selection
Selecting a stability exercise ball is simple. A properly sized exercise ball will allow you to sit on it with your knees and hip at 90 degrees. Using different size balls will allow you more flexibility and variation with your stability ball training.
General Recommendations
The following recommendations will increase the safety and fun of working with the stability exercise ball.
- Always exercise with a shirt – a sweaty body will slide off the ball which could cause an injury, especially if you’re using the ball in conjunction with free weights.
- When using external resistance, opt for lighter loads than you would when training on a standard bench. Do not use high loads to failure with this type of training.
- Spotters are a good idea when using external resistance equipment. However, if you are using appropriate loads and form, nothing more than minimal supervision is generally required.
Body Alignment
Unless otherwise indicated, a neutral alignment of the spine should be maintained when exercising.
Versatility
- The ball can be used at home, in group exercise and personal training settings.
- It can be adapted to all ages, all fitness levels and special populations.
- The ball is portable and light weight.
- It is easy to travel with and easy to store.
- The ball is an inexpensive exercise tool.
- The ball is maintenance free over a long life.
The simplicity of the stability ball translates into balance! Because the ball demands balance, you’ll work muscles you never knew you had or challenge them in a different way. The trial of maintaining perfect posture, on a round and mobile surface can be invigorating, fun and amazingly effective in building functional strength, and challenging your abdominal and back muscles like nothing else!
The versatile nature of the training is designed to improve balance, body awareness, coordination and posture. There are different positions and exercises where this can be used so it will never be boring. The training is considered to be the most effective exercise tool to improve and develop pelvic, shoulder and spine stability because the person has no other support to rely own except his or her own body. If you feel like falling off, your body will automatically alert you of the problem and then make the necessary corrections thus reinforcing positive movement patterns.