February 12, 2012

Using the Exercise Ball to get in shape… a series

Get ready to play ball and roll your way to fitness. Whether you’re a complete beginner, a regular gym-goers, or an elite athlete, working out with the exercise ball will give you a defined physique and a stronger, healthier, injury-free body.

Exercises that use a ball work on your body’s muscle groups from a strong central core, using good breathing techniques, strong mental focus, and smooth, flowing movements throughout, and mind-body connections. It’s an extremely safe, holistic, non stressful, and affective way to work out and can be performed almost anywhere, anytime, because the equipment is light, hardwearing, portable, and cheap. Working out with an exercise ball is also fun.

Key Benefits

The whole point about using an exercise ball is that it is an unstable base, which makes you work extra muscles and develop new skills– the simple at if sitting on the ball improves postural strength and awareness. Your abdominal and spinal muscles, which act as a splint around your spine, will become stronger, exercises will also help to strengthen and protect your back. Be patient overtime, your movements will become more fluid and graceful, and of course your fitness, strength, and stamina will all improve. As an added bonus, using a ball increases your proprioception– your unconscious perception of the world around you– improving balance and fine-tuning motor (movement) skills. Ball-based exercise is also excellent for reducing stress–stretching encourages greater relaxation, particularly when combined with mental focus and a good breathing technique.

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