I am in the final segment of my “The Benefits of…” series. I am ending today with the benefits of a fitness ball, otherwise known as a stability ball.
Now I am about to paint a really scary picture for you. Actually, it was mostly scary to my nephew who was about 4 years old when it happened.
My first experience with one of these oversized balls was when I was giving birth to my youngest son (who is now 12). I had to sit on one of these to move my labor along. I will never forget my nephew’s eyes when he walked into my hospital room with his mother and saw me rolling on that thing.
Okay, enough of that…time to get serious.
Who would have ever known that a decade later I would find great use in that type of ball? I absolutely love using my fitness ball.
Not only can it help in increasing overall muscle tone and core stability but it can improve your workout. If you have experienced a knee, hip or back injury it can also help in rehabilitation. It is often used by therapists on patients who have injuries.
A fitness ball provides support to your lower back when you are stretching and exercising. It can also reach those muscles that are more difficult to get to. And it can help improve your posture.
Some of the types of exercises you can do on a fitness ball include squatting against the wall, oblique twist and chest fly. You can look for exercises online, through DVD’s or join a gym class that utilizes a fitness ball.
The final benefit is how cost-friendly they are. It’s wonderful to be able to purchase a piece of fitness equipment that will help you tone, yet doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.
Related Articles:
The Benefits of Flexibility Exercises
The Benefits of Weight Training
The Benefits of Strength Training
The Benefits of Core Body Exercises