Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Fitness Ball - Using It 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.

The fitness ball elevates you and works stabilizing muscles like no other exercise.

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.

Swiss balls were designed primarily for use with newborns and infants, then afterwards as a tool for physiotherapy, although it quickly developed a following in the fitness industry. Whilst they were never originally a part of the Pilates concept, these fitness balls have been enthusiastically adopted by the Pilates fraternity when people realised their actual potential and are now considered as an essential element in any Pilates programme.

Pilates is an excellent way to gain the toned and trim body you are craving and the fitness ball increases the intensity of core targeting exercises due to the balancing requirement. A fitness ball will make your muscles work extra hard because they are working to maintain stability, so you achieve a Pilates workout that is twice as effective with just a little more effort.

Exactly what does a fitness ball add to your workout? 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. When you strengthen the muscles around your spine, it gives you more body strength in general. When you achieve that, you can do more challenging workouts without getting tired.

Core muscles all benefit from using a fitness ball. When you exercise your back, you are also exercising your abdomen. Using the fitness ball, you gain strength and tone in these areas incrementally over time.

Using the fitness ball is great fun as well, because it allows you to add some variety to your workout " no more boring, repetitive routines! No more hard floor, either " and you get an added bounce as well!

In search of more? Lowering the weight level is recommended for this routine because a stabilized weight combination intensifies the workout.

The use of a fitness ball in Pilates requires careful attention to your form. Remember that using the ball increases the intensity of your workout dramatically. Allow yourself the freedom to complete a lower level of reps, maintaining perfect form. The stabiliser muscles will become stronger and you will soon discover that your fitness level has increased.

Visit this web site to learn more on how a fitness ball can improve your Pilates routine and other exercise programs. - 20896

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