Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Fitness Ball and Incorporation Into a Pilates Routine

By Julia Channel

Looking for quick results? Using a fitness ball combined with Pilates will achieve just that " and you will have fun as well!

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

The fitness ball, first named "Pezzi Ball," was later referred to as the "Swiss ball." The diameter of the ball is around 35 to 85 cm. It is made of an elastic that can handle the pressure of your body, known as PVC.

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.

How does the fitness ball do this? It works on the micro stabilisers around your spine, strengthening the associated muscles and reducing the chances of future lower back pain. In turn, the strengthened muscles around the spine afford even more overall body strength " you can achieve extended workouts with less fatigue.

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

A fitness ball adds a lot to your workout. It makes it fun and interesting because you have twice the flexibility and opportunity for stretching and exercise than if you just did a regular workout. Using a fitness ball instead of a chair as your base puts an end to boring, repetitive exercise. You do not have to deal with hard floors any longer.

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.

It is vital that when you are using a fitness ball in Pilates that you keep good form. The ball makes a normal workout that much more intense, so keep this in mind. Allow yourself the freedom to complete a lower level of reps, maintaining perfect form. The stabilizer muscles will gain strength and in next to no time you will find that you are well past your original fitness levels!

For more information on the benefits of using a fitness ball in your workout program, be sure to visit the website. - 16083

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