There are two type of fitness balls: standard and anti-burst. Both balls work the same way, in terms of performing exercises. Their most significant difference is that anti-burst balls may help protect your safety as you exercise. They're made with stronger materials that prevent them from popping or slipping as you exercise.
Importance
Fitness balls hold the weight of your entire body through certain exercises. If the ball bursts during an exercise, you could suffer a severe injury. Bodybuilders, people with large builds or obese individuals weight more than the average fitness ball user and place extra demands on their balls. Without anti-burst balls, those individuals suffer an increased risk of injury from puncture or rapid deflation.
Materials
Anti-burst fitness balls are made from strong vinyl specifically engineered not to burst when the wall integrity becomes compromised. For example, if you're using a regular ball and it becomes punctured, it could burst and cause rapid deflation and injury. Anti-burst balls' tough vinyl holds its form after a puncture and deflates slowly, giving you time to safely adjust your position and stop using the ball. Stronger, anti-burst vinyl is naturally more slip-resistant than regular vinyl balls --- another important safety feature.
Sizing
Fitness balls come in different sizes. Choose a ball whose size coordinates with your height. See the sizing chart from the American College of Sports Medicine's pamphlet "Selecting and Effectively Using Stability Balls," located in the Resources section. The proper sized ball improves your safety because it allows you to exercise with proper form and helps you cultivate proper body alignment. If you're in-between sizes, it's better to purchase the larger ball and slightly under-inflate it.
Care
The better you care for your ball, the less likely it will be to puncture, rupture or break down and cause injury. Use your ball in an area free of debris. Feel the ground for sharp objects if you'll be using your ball outdoors. Wipe the surface clean after using it and during use if you sweat profusely to prevent slipping or losing your grip on the ball. Check to make sure your ball is properly inflated and free of defects before each use.
Uses
Fitness balls help you achieve and hold exercise positions, such as yoga poses and stretches that would be difficult to achieve without support. They're uses in Pilates and other core strengthening programs to build back and abdominal muscles. Push-ups, wall squats and other strength training exercises can be adapted for use with a fitness ball, both to make them easier and more difficult depending on body positioning. Fitness balls are also used in place of office chairs to build core stability and strength.
Member Comments