An exercise ball workout is a great break from the traditional workouts with weight machines and dumbbells. Take a look at some of the benefits you will receive from this great non-traditional way to exercise.

1. Balance - An exercise ball workout incorporates the added challenge of balance while you are doing a workout with bands, dumbbells, or a core workout such as Pilates.

2. Core Strength – Each exercise you do in your exercise ball core workout incorporates having to stabilize the core before you can begin to work the extremities like your arms or legs.

For instance, if you are trying to perform a push up using the exercise ball as you walk out into position you need to make sure the abdominals are engaged or you will roll right off the ball.

An exercise ball squat is a great way to strengthen your legs. Position the ball on the wall and lean your lower back into it. As you bend your knees to a sitting position you'll feel the ball roll up your spine. Again, if your abdominals are not working you will fall off the side of the ball.

3. Progressive Exercises – The dynamic nature of your workout on the exercise ball allows you to progressively increase or decrease the intensity of the exercises by making slight adjustments in your body position.

For instance, with the pushup the farther you walk out bringing more of your upper body off the ball the harder the work will be. Supporting more of your body weight on the ball will make it easier to do push ups.

4. Greater Range of Motion - For many abdominal exercises the ball allows for a greater range of motion, which helps to increase your flexibility and strength in the muscles. An abdominal curl where you roll your spine back over the ball is a greater range than you would achieve on a flat surface.

5. Dynamic Transitions - The rolling aspect of the ball allows you to roll into positions with ease and a more challenging transition to another exercise. For instance when doing an exercise ball Pilates workout you can transition from a side stretch or oblique lift right into kneeling side kicks on top of the ball working the abductors of the thighs.

6. Improves Breathing Techniques – When doing an exercise ball Pilates workout, once again the dynamic transitions allow for more focused and deep abdominal breathing techniques.

7. Convenience – The exercise ball workout can be done anywhere. At home, when you travel, at the in-laws, in the yard. All you need a small amount of floor space and a ball. Most of the balls can be deflated and easily filled up with a foot or hand pump so you can pack them along anywhere you go.

8. Fun! – The big round ball adds an element of play to your exercise ball workout. Fun is an important aspect of any fitness routine because it inspires and motivates us to exercise.

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