How to Use a Body Ball to Strengthen Your Core and Improve Balance

How to Use a Body Ball to Strengthen Your Core and Improve Balance

Whether you're working out on your own, leading a group exercise class or coaching clients, this Studio Series Fitness Ball from Body Sport provides a simple but effective way to focus on core strength and stability. It is sized to fit your height and durable enough for light commercial and home use.

A variety of exercises can be done with a body ball to help strengthen the core, stretch the back and improve balance and posture. These exercises are referred to as ball gymnastics or functional movement theory and were popularized by Dr. Susanne Klein-Vogelbach, director of the physical therapy school in Basel, Switzerland, in her book "Ballgymnastik zur funktionellen Bewegungslehre" ("Ball gymnastics for functional movement theory").

Body balls are also known as balance balls, exercise balls, fitness balls, gym balls, yoga balls or stability balls. They're used by professional trainers, fitness coaches and health care practitioners to enhance muscle coordination and improve balance, agility and endurance. Body balls are available in a range of sizes and colors.

Exercise balls are made of durable rubber with a textured surface to promote gripping. They are a great addition to any workout routine for strengthening and toning the arms, legs and core. Exercise balls are also useful for reducing stress and improving flexibility.

The pliable nature of the body ball makes it more comfortable to use during core exercises than an exercise bench. This makes it easier to keep proper form and reduce the likelihood of injury. Many physical therapists incorporate the use of exercise balls into rehabilitation programs to restore movement patterns and increase core strength.

Most exercise balls are durable and designed to support a reasonable amount of weight without bursting, but it's important to check the product specifications for the weight capacity before making your purchase. This information can be found on the product description page or in the FAQ section.

If you're pregnant, a body ball can be an excellent addition to your pregnancy workouts. The exercise ball can be used to perform exercises that are safe for both mother and baby, including doing basic pilates moves or sitting on the ball while doing the figure of 8. It's also possible to rock your pelvis side to side or in a circular motion with the aid of the body ball to help get baby into a better position for birthing.

Another use for a body ball is to do wall-assisted ball squats. To do this, lie on your back with the ball behind you, shoulder-width apart, and knees slightly bent. Then, using your core muscles, slowly roll the ball away from you until it hits the arc where your ankle meets your foot. Then, return to the starting position and repeat. These exercises can be repeated as often as desired. The Body Sport fitness ball is latex-free and comes in blue, green, purple or red with a ridged surface for gripping. It is inflated with an air pump and includes an illustrated exercise guide.

Tags:water ball | bumper ball