If you look around, you can find just about any way to exercise from weights, cardio, resistance bands, and stability balls.
What are stability balls?
Stability balls are heavy duty balls made of vinyl and designed to be puncture –resistant. They come in all sizes for many different purposes.Aquilino Casani in Italy introduced stability balls or “Swiss Balls” as they were first known, in 1963. He developed a process of molding these balls to make them rugged and able to handle much abuse. He called them “Pezzi Balls.”
He first used them in the treatment of newborns and infants.
Later, Dr. Susanne Klein-Vogelbach of the Physical Therapy School in Basel, Switzerland used them as physical therapy for neuro-developmental treatment. American physical therapists first used the term “Swiss Balls, “when they began to use them in physical therapy sessions with their patients. (Source)
The advantage of these balls in exercise regimens is that they provide a platform that is constantly shifting and therefore requires the use of many muscles to maintain stability.
You can sit on these balls, and as you do, you are forced to use much of your core muscles to keep balance. This includes the back muscles and the abdominals.
Here is a sample routine
You can put it between you and a wall and lean against it. You can lift weights in this position as you roll the ball up and down the wall with your back. You get the extended benefits with this method in that you must use more than just your legs to lift your body. Also, you have to use many more muscles to maintain the stability, and you move up and down.
You can use a smaller version of these balls to bounce on. When you do that, you stimulate the lymphatic system, and it performs better.
These balls have become a staple in many exercise workout clubs around the United States.
If you are looking for a unique way to exercise that forces you to use many muscles in the movements, you will want to check out stability balls. You can find them in most stores, and you can order them online. They provide a way to get more out of your exercise routine.
