Exercises Using a Swiss Ball
Sunday, 07.01.2007, 03:25pm (GMT)
If you are looking for a simple and supportive way to enhance all of
your workouts, finding the right tools is the key. If you are working
towards new techniques and tools that will assist you in this, then a
Swiss ball may make a great addition to your workout routine. Knowing
what types of exercises you can do with a Swiss ball can be effective
with every workout.
Exercises using a Swiss ball are focused on working your core area. The
core area is one of the most important places of your body to work. It
helps to control your back, keep your balance, and keep you moving
forward. The core body mainly focuses on the abdominal area as well as
the back muscles. Not only does this help you to gain strength in these
areas, but can also help to increase balance and stability as well as
the ability to control the muscles that are in your core area.
No matter what level of core training you are at, you can begin an
exercise routine with your Swiss ball to help you improve. Each
exercise done will isolate various parts of your core, helping to build
your overall functioning from your back and forward.
The first exercise that is done with Swiss balls is known as pelvic
isolation. To begin this, you will simply sit on the ball with your
feet hip width apart and your arms either on your hips or your side.
You will then slowly move forward with your hips. Make sure to keep
your back straight. You can then move back to center and to the back.
You can do this same movement by moving from side to side, or by going
in complete circles.
After you have isolated your pelvis area, you can move to working on
your spine and back. While you are still sitting on the ball, move your
feet forward while you begin to lean back on the ball. Make sure that
you use the Swiss ball in this exercise as your main support for your
back. You can stop when your ball is at the upper part of your back.
You can then raise your arms over your head and straighten your knees.
You can hold this position for ten seconds before rolling back up.
You can also work on the upper part of your spine with the Swiss ball.
You will want to change your position so that you are kneeling with the
ball in front of you. You can then place your chest to rest on the
exercise ball. You will roll forward with the ball on your chest, while
your knees straighten. Like the other stretches, you can hold this for
ten seconds, than roll back to the kneeling position.
From these stretching positions, you can move into more complex
exercises with the Swiss ball. If you want to work your abs, you can
find Swiss ball exercises that will isolate every area. You can begin
this workout with full or half crunches. With this, you will sit on the
exercise ball first. For a half crunch, you will lean back half way
without moving your feet. You will do this back and forth. For full
crunches, you will simply change this to leaning back all the way.
If you want to improve your core strength, you can continue with more
exercises with the Swiss ball. One is known as the walk-out. You can do
this for both your front area, by kneeling and placing the ball in
front of you, or for your back area, by sitting on the ball. With both
of these walk-outs, you will place the ball closer to your buttocks
area. If you are sitting on the ball, you will walk your feet forward
until the ball is at your shoulder or neck area. You will then walk
back to sitting position. If you are working the front area, you will
do this same thing, beginning with the ball on your chest, and walking
your hands until the ball is at your feet.
By doing this simple routine, and beginning to add in other options
with exercising with the Swiss ball, you will have the ability to build
your core area. Whether you want a stronger back or flatter abs, using
the Swiss ball is a recommended way to get there quickly and with
comfort. In no time at all, you will find that your exercise routine is
rolling you into a better look.
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