Sissel began as a Swedish company specializing in therapeutic exercise products. The company makes three types of burst-proof exercise balls. The Swiss ball is for balance, core, flexibility and toning exercises, and the Aero Ball has extra bounce, making it effective for aerobic training. Their Swiss Ball Pro is their most durable ball, suitable for heavy weight training. The American and Canadian subsidiaries of the Sissel Company changed their name to TheraGear.
Sissel Exercise Programs
Sissel or TheraGear facilitates easy program design, by offering an extensive set of exercises on their website. The site has nine pages of ball exercises, some of which incorporate other types of equipment. The drop-down menu features exercises characterized by body part and by type, such as Pilates, yoga and sport specific exercise. A free registration allows you to select and store your favorite exercises in a program file. The regular Swiss ball works well for most of these exercises. Since the Aero Ball is softer, it may be more comfortable for prone Pilates exercises. Heavier people should use the Swiss Ball Pro.
Rotary Sport Exercise
Sport-specific Sissel ball exercise incorporate balance training and rotational movement. The Russian twist is an example. Sit on the ball, and hold a medicine ball or a weight with both hands. Walk down the ball, until your head, shoulders and upper back are against the its surface. Extend your arms, keeping the weight in alignment with your chest. Contract your abdominal muscles and slowly rotate your upper body to the right, until your left shoulder comes off the ball. Return to center and repeat on the other side. Perform 16 repetitions or eight to each side.
Core And Agility
Using a medicine ball with the Swiss ball also enhances agility and core strength. Lie face-up on the ball with your hips, back and shoulders against its surface. Bend your elbows and and align the medicine ball with the center of your chest. Simultaneously perform a crunch and toss the weighted medicine ball into the air. Catch it on the rebound and repeat. For added fun, perform this as a partner exercise, with both partners facing each other on stability balls.
Pilates
The Sissel ball exercise design team created an extensive series of Pilates exercises. Those performed in the prone position are particularity effective, because some people are uncomfortable lying face down on the floor. The swan dive is an example. Lie face down with your legs extended, your pelvis and ribs against the ball and your fingers and toes on the floor. Keep your arms straight as you lift your hands and extend your spine, creating a small arch in your back. As you return to the starting position, begin to lift your feet from the floor. Try to create a continuous, fluid movement.
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