Swiss Ball/Fitness Ball/Stability Ball/Exercise Ball
Review by Joann Bally CSCS
|
The Swiss ball (Swiss Ball/Fitness Ball/Stability Ball/Exercise Ball) was developed in Switzerland (!) as a physical therapy aid. It’s still used for that, but has crossed over into the fitness field. You’ll see them at almost every gym, as well as community exercise classes, and in many homes. It’s still called a Swiss ball, but is also called an exercise ball, fitness ball, or by certain trade names. Whatever its name, it’s an inflatable ball of very tough vinyl that is strong enough to sit on. In fact, some people use it for a desk chair. I like the Swiss ball. In fact, I have one and think you should have one too, because it’s a cheap and versatile exercise tool. But I do think it’s overused. It’s great for abs and some back exercises, and can be used to aid in developing balance, flexibility, and coordination. But you don’t have to use it in every exercise you do. You can use it for variety in strength training, but don’t use it all the time. I don’t see why doing dumbbell biceps curls sitting on a ball is better than doing them sitting on a bench, if it’s your biceps you’re concerned about. You produce less force on a unstable surface. And you needn’t make it a goal to stand on the ball, or jump rope on it, unless you’re planning to join the circus.
Choose the size of a ball according to your height. (Under 5 foot, 45 cm/16.5 in.; 5’ to 5’7”, 55 cm/21 in.; 5’8”-6’3”, 65 cm/25 in.; over 6’3”, 75 cm/29 in.)You might want one that comes with a foot pump if you don’t have a bicycle pump around. If you’re a small-to-medium size person who is going to sit on the ball or use it for ab work, the standard ball is probably fine. If you weigh 250 lb and intend to use it while you’re pressing 80 lb dumbbells, you’d better get a heavy duty model. Some balls have little feet, which is not ideal from the point of unstable training, but does keep the ball from rolling around on its own.
|
HEALTHandFITNESS.com :
