Showing posts with label Swiss ball. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Swiss ball. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Pilates and Swiss Ball

Pilates and Swiss Ball
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Sarah_Nabila]Sarah Nabila

Named after its creator, the Pilates system of exercise combines the best of Western and Eastern traditions, encouraging an awareness of body and mind working together in harmony. Born in Germany in 1880, Pilates was very sickly as a child but as he grew older he determined to make himself stronger, becoming proficient in body building and gymnastics.

After immigrating to the United States in 1926, Pilates opened a studio in New York where he taught an approach to fitness he called ontology. It was not long before he has an enthusiastic following, particularly among athletes, dancers and actors. Today, Pilates' method is enjoying a surge of popularity worldwide, not only among the general public but also among various professionals such as athletes, dancers and health care professionals.

Because Pilates emphasizes strengthening the powerhouse, the muscles between the rib cage and the hips, it is particularly useful in helping to prevent back problems. The Swiss ball, also known as an exercise, physic or stability ball was developed in the 1900s to treat neurological disorders such as spinal cord injuries and stroke. Not long afterwards, fitness professionals began to use the Swiss ball as an exercise tool in order to help improve balance and strengthen postural muscles of the abdomen, back and legs.

The benefit of the ball lies in its inherent instability; your muscles have to work to keep it stable during exercise movements, mainly those muscles of the abdomen and lower back. Available in various sizes to suit every age, height and level of ability, exercise balls are usually made of a durable vinyl. The choice of ball generally depends on the exercise method being used.

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The Ultimate Swiss Ball Ab Workout

The Ultimate Swiss Ball Ab Workout
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Eugene_Soh]Eugene Soh

Swiss Ball ab workouts are mid-level exercises which allow you a greater range of motion than the usual abdominal crunch. This exercise also intensifies the tension concentrated on your oblique midsection area, as the increased need for stabilization also intensifies the activation of the muscles in your abdominals, as you do your ab workouts.

Start positioning for your ab workouts by sitting firmly on a Swiss Ball, then place your feet firmly on the floor, and then walk them slowly forward, all the while leaning back and rolling up to the point that you are comfortably lying with your back firm against the ball. Make sure that before you do the movements in your ab workouts that both of your feet are firmly planted apart at a distance of a shoulder's width, and then place your right hand at the right side of your head; then place your left hand on your right oblique midsection area.

Begin your ab workouts by slowly rolling your upper body towards your left until the outside of your left foot and the inside of your right foot are firmly touching the floor. Also, try to spread your legs so that both of your feet are slightly more than a shoulder's width apart from each other.

Start your ab workouts by crunching your chest towards the side of the hip that is facing up. While your hips are a bit twisted to the side in this position of your ab workouts, you should crunch your torso as straight as you can. Do these motions in your ab workouts until you have completed one set and then turn your lower torso to the other side, and do an equal number of repetitions with this side with the same movements and the same intensity as the ab workouts which you performed on the previous side.

Before you begin your quest towards the ultimate six-pack, you must establish a solid foundation to work on. The foundation for any workout program -whether it's targeting your whole body or targeting your abdominals solely- must start with a strong core. Most individuals fail to reach their goals because their weak core limits their overall stamina and strength.

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Swiss Ball Exercises - The Swiss Ball Roll Out

Swiss Ball Exercises - The Swiss Ball Roll Out
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Enzo_Vullo]Enzo Vullo

Swiss ball exercises offer an inexpensive , flexible set of exercises to increase core strength. Increasing core strength has many benefits both inside and outside the sporting arena. Sporting wise, an strong core can reduce the number of injuries (primarily back) sustained and increase sporting performance by ensuring smaller, normally neglected muscles are also made stronger. Outside of the sporting arena swiss ball exercises can improve an individual's posture on a day to day basis.

An example of a one of these exercises (please note a swiss ball can also be referred to as a gym ball and a stability ball) is the swiss ball roll out. This exercise focuses on developing the abdominal or 'ab' muscles by challenging them in horizontal plane.

To execute this exercise you need to do the following.

First kneel facing the ball ensuring it is far enough away from you so that you can place the palms of your hand on it and fully extending your arms.

Next, ensuring you keep your knees in the same position and the palms of your hands on the ball, push the ball away from you so that you are extended horizontally. You should feel your ab muscles working and stretching.

Next, pulling with your stomach muscles, and keeping both the palms of your hands on the ball return to your vertical stating position.

Your aim is to repeat this process 6 to 10 time ensuring you are stabilized and all motion is smooth.

There are many other examples of swiss ball exercises, the beauty of these exercises is that they challenge the core muscles throughout the body in many different ways promoting functional fitness that can aid both amateur and professional athletes achieve their fitness goals.

Enzo Vullo

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Exercise Balls - Low Tech Gym Equipment For Everyone

Exercise Balls - Low Tech Gym Equipment For Everyone
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Mary_Jane_Dempsey]Mary Jane Dempsey

The first exercise ball was invented by a group of Swiss therapists hence the alternative name Swiss Ball. This now popular exercise equipment aids in toning and strengthening your body. People love them because they are soft and easy to manage during their workout routine.

The original use of this ball was for patient support during physical therapy sessions. They were designed out of durable latex rubber material in order to deter breaking and leakage.

The Swiss ball is made to withstand lots of weight and still keep its shape. And because they are round and soft, they are completely safe to use. If fact, they are so safe that children have been known to play with them. They are available in many colors, sizes and patterns to satisfy even the most fussy of users.

The Swiss ball was designed to strengthen muscles that aren't always used. If you have back pain, the ball can assist with pain relief. With the simplest movements, you can restore mobility to your back muscles over time.

If want to use the ball as a part of your workout regime, it works wonderfully for core training. Don't worry if you are overweight and unsure if the exercise ball is stable enough for you. There are Swiss balls that can withstand up to 600 lbs.

The exercise ball has been used for many different styles of physical training. You can use the ball for weight training, core toning, Pilates, Yoga, and more. This exercise ball has been used for sit ups, push ups, leg training, etc. It is one of the most versatile exercise equipment created today.

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