Unless you’ve been asleep at the wheel, you’ve no doubt seen exercise balls around… In stores, on TV, at the gym or personal trainer’s or at a friend’s house. They’re very popular these days and are, arguably, the best single piece of fitness equipment available for getting into shape. They’re inexpensive to buy, easy and fun to use and amazingly effective at helping you to reduce fat and tone your core muscles, thereby giving you awesome abs. Exercise ball workouts are varied and specific to particular muscle groups.
The first thing you need to do is go out and get a ball, known alternatively as a fitness ball or a stability ball. They run between twenty and fifty dollars, generally, and some come with videos that instruct you in their use. They’re all similar in construction, although some may be able to withstand a little more weight — almost one thousand pounds.
Getting the right size ball is important and it depends on your size. Sit on the ball with your feet flat on the ground. With the right size, your knees should form a 90-degree angle. If not, change to a different sized ball.
Now that you’ve got your ball, what can you do with it? If yours didn’t come with an instructional video and you’re not inclined to go to a gym or a personal trainer who can teach you the correct way to use it, then go to the Internet. There are numerous sites available online which can teach you not only what exercises to do but how to do them and what results you can expect. Many include very descriptive pictures you can follow and some even have how-to videos you can watch to help you along.
A fitness ball is most beneficial in developing your core. Your core includes the muscle groups at the center of your body, the torso. This is your center of gravity. Included are the muscles in front and to the sides of your stomach, commonly referred to as the ‘abs’. Back muscles, shoulder muscles and certain neck muscles also help make up the core. Working on these muscles will benefit your entire body, since this is where all body movements originate.
Just sitting on your ball will start to prove why it’s so effective. In order to sit there without rolling off or falling over takes balance and causes your core muscles to contract. Just sitting there, you’re already exercising. However, there is a long list of specific exercises that can be accomplished with the aid of your new device.
Certain exercises have been developed to target specific areas of the body. For example, trunk extensions are meant for the back. Crunches will work the abs. Bent knee bridges help the buttocks and hamstrings. One exercise, called Superman, works the entire back area.
The easiest way to learn about effective exercise ball workouts is probably to just go online. You’ll see dozens of sites demonstrating what to do, including pictures and videos. Just get busy. You won’t regret it.
It will be wonderful fun getting fit when you start using the exercise ball workouts today! Easy and enjoyable routines that will help you to meet your goals using exercise ball workouts.
