Stability Ball Training

There was a time that aerobics were the trend in order for you to stay fit. But things change and there are new innovations in the industry. One of this is called Stability Ball Training.

Stability ball training involves the use of large balls similar to the big and plastic ones that kids play around with at home. It is made of light and sturdy material that can handle your weight when you sit on it and can be used to perform varying forms of exercises.

The versatile nature of stability ball 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.

There are three levels to which stability ball training works and this is dependent on the position of the body. The first level is met when you sit in a position with the least amount of resistance. The 2nd level of resistance is reached when spread your legs a little wider. The third position challenges you to maintain a certain position and performing a movement pattern while adding movement to the ball.

Stability ball 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, the body will automatically alert the person of the problem and then make the necessary corrections thus reinforcing positive movement patterns.

When you get used to stability ball training, you will probably use this more often instead of the bench. This is because as stated earlier, you will learn to develop your balance and coordination skills so you don’t fall off whenever you are doing either a seated or lying exercise.

Stability ball training can be done by males or females regardless of age because the ball is available in a number of sizes from 45cm to 75cm in diameter. The right size depends on your height and leg length.

When you try stability ball training, make sure that you are sitting on top of the ball with your calves perpendicular to the ground, your thighs parallel at 90 to 100 degrees with your knees and your body weight evenly distributed over both feet.

If you are not sure if you are doing this right, look at the mirror and imagine a straight line from your ear traveling through your shoulder and stopping at the center of your pelvis.

Studies have shown that although stability ball training is a low impact exercise that enables the person to get a good workout without working the muscles too much which often happens when weights such as dumbbells and barbells are used. Simply rotating exercises between the upper and lower regions and the trunk guarantees complete recovery of each muscle group so you are able to give it your best in the next set.

Regardless if you are in a class or doing it at home, the most important thing to remember in stability ball training or any work out is to have fun. This just goes to show that “no pain, no gain” isn’t the only way for you to lose weight or tighten up those muscles.