Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Fitness Ball Use in Pilates

By Julia Channel

Searching for fast results? Combining a fitness ball with your Pilates workout will help you reach that goal while you are having a good time.

Balancing on the fitness ball helps you work your stabilising muscles, creating a very high quality workout.

The fitness ball was first known as the "Pezzi Ball" and afterwards became known as the Swiss ball. The diameter of a fitness ball can be anywhere from 35 cm to 85 cm. It is fabricated from an elastic form of PVC to ensure strength enough to withstand the pressure.

Although Swiss balls were initially used with newborns and infants, they started being used in the fitness industry and as a physiotherapy tool. Though these fitness balls were never intended for Pilates, as soon as devotees of the program realised their value, they eagerly incorporated them into all their routines.

The balancing that is required when using the fitness ball in Pilates is a great way to achieve the thin and trim body that you desire. Since you need to work to maintain your stability, a fitness ball makes your Pilates workout a lot more effective with only a tiny bit more work.

How is this accomplished by the fitness ball? A fitness ball strengthens the small muscles around your spine. They are known as micro stabilisers. This toning strengthens the musculature and helps prevent back injury and pain. Strengthening your back muscles lets you work out longer and achieve better results!

The fitness ball conditions both your abdominal and your back muscles.

Using a fitness ball allows you to reduce how many humdrum repetitive exercises you do by spicing up your work out. Forget that hard floor and say hello to some extra bounce!

Looking for more? You can add weights to the equation: just take care that you choose a much lower weight than for a usual routine, because the combination of stabilising and weights intensifies the workout. You will soon be able to lift even greater weights using this method as your overall strength increases.

The most important thing to keep in mind when using a fitness ball for Pilates, is to maintain excellent form. Keep in mind that the use of the ball intensifies an average workout. High reps are not always necessary. Sometimes form is more important. A low number of reps done perfectly can be very effective. The stabilizer muscles will get stronger and you will find that you are well beyond your regular fitness levels in no time at all!

Visit this web site to learn more on how a fitness ball can improve your Pilates routine and other exercise programs. - 15432

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