Does An Exercise Ball Work?

If you don't have the money to invest in a gym membership, you can use pieces of workout equipment to get fit at home. According to "Fitness" magazine, a must-have workout tool is an exercise ball. Exercise balls work the abdominal muscles and can make simple exercises much more challenging. Practice caution when using an exercise ball to avoid injury.

Expert Insight

According to a 2001 study performed at the University of Wisconsin, crunches performed on an exercise ball can effectively work the rectus abdominis muscles and obliques. The mean of activity for the rectus abdominis muscles was 139 percent and 147 percent for the obliques. Activity in the abdominal muscles was measured during the study with the use of electromyography equipment.

Benefits

Benefits of the exercise ball, according to the American Council on Exercise, is that the core is usually worked no matter what type of exercise you do. Working your core not only builds abdominal muscle, but also it improves your posture and balance since you must stabilize yourself before you can begin exercising. When you perform movements that use your upper and lower body muscles, a strong core will support your body.

Helps Lower Back Pain

The exercise ball has benefits for sufferers of lower back pain. According to the Spine-Health website, movements with an exercise ball can improve posture, increase mobility in the lower back, help balance and aid you in finding a neutral spine position. Possible exercises recommended by your doctor include squats, pelvic tilts and spine extensions performed on an exercise ball.

Choosing a Ball

To get the most out of an exercise ball, choose the appropriate size. Rest on top of the ball before you make your selection. Your knees and hips should be aligned at a 90-degree angle. If you want to work harder during exercise, use a firmer stability ball. If you are overweight or new to exercise, you may want to select a larger or softer ball to decrease the challenge of stability ball exercises.