Many strength and exercise moves work both on the floor and on an exercise ball, but slight differences exist between the two platforms. Introducing the exercise ball into your fitness routine provides variety to basic moves li...
Basic exercises performed with a stability ball commonly target the muscles of your stomach, known as your abdominals or abs. Balancing on a stability ball while lifting your feet, individually or at the same time, forces your ...
Thera-Bands and BodyFit Balls are products created to improve physical fitness by working your muscles and burning calories. Both are available at exercise-equipment retailers and make an ideal addition to your home gym. Using ...
The Danskin Now is a special product line endorsed by Gabby Reese, a celebrity fitness expert, and sold only at WalMart. The line includes several exercise balls, including a standard 65 centimeter ball and a mini, 25 centimete...
The Altus ball is also known as a fitness ball or stability ball. It came around back in the 1960s and has been used extensively in the field of orthopedics. Ball exercises are designed to help strengthen your core, back and mu...
If you need a lower body strengthening exercise that tones your hips and glutes, the hip hinge on a ball can be effective. The hip hinge uses your hips as a fulcrum between your upper and lower body. You raise and lower your up...
Therapy, or exercise, balls keep the spine straight. This is an advantage for those looking to strengthen the back after injury or damage to the discs. Exercising can help relieve pain from back injuries, according to Dr. Ron D...
By using an exercise ball to work out the transverse -- or deep abdominal wall -- muscle, you provide stability for the spine and strengthen a core muscle, enhancing overall body movement. Similar in function to a back support ...
Fitness balls come in a variety of colors, sizes and even names, but all fitness balls can take an exercise routine to the next level by challenging core muscles more effectively than fixed position resistance machines.
Since their introduction to the United States in 1989, exercise balls have become commonplace sights in commercial gyms, rehabilitation centers and home gyms. Although this large plastic sphere's instability forces you to stabi...
A birth ball is also used to perform gentle, non-impact exercises during pregnancy, a time when physical exercise may be uncomfortable and difficult. Birth balls are about 60 cm in diameter and made of durable plastic. Do not u...
They fall in the category of free weights, and while often used for abdominal strengthening, they can be used for many different muscle strengthening activities. These weighted balls come in a variety of weights. Learn the ball...
Ringing exercise balls for the hands go by many names including chime balls, Chinese Exercise Balls, Boading Balls, Chinese Health Balls or Chinese Therapy Balls. Using the balls on a consistent basis can provide many mental an...
A gyro ball is a novel exercise device. Proponents claim that the gyro ball, sold by companies under names such as Powerball, GyroBall and Gyro Ball, can benefit you in a number of ways. You can use it to sculpt or strengthen w...
Pain in the ball of your foot that manifests or worsens after exercise is generally referred to as metatarsalgia. This condition can indicate trauma to or strain of bones and ligaments in the ball of your foot -- or metatarsal ...
The G-Ball is a basic medicine ball popularized by world-class gymnast, Mitch Gaylord. This functional training tool comes in 2-, 4- and 6-lb. versions. Any exercise performed with a regular medicine ball can also be performed ...
A medicine ball is a functional training device used for resistance with conventional exercises. A Dynamax ball is specially designed with a soft exterior vinyl coating for easy gripping. Unlike your average medicine ball, the ...
The resist-a-ball is a brand of stability ball that is now classified as exercise equipment. The stability ball was introduced as an exercise ball by Mike and Stephanie Morris in the 1990s, but was previously used for the purpo...
Although known by many names --- balance balls, stability balls, workout balls, and Swiss balls --- exercise balls are unique among the vast array of exercise gear available today. They are relatively inexpensive, take up very ...
An exercise ball can help tone your abdominal muscles, as well as other core muscles. You also can use an exercise ball to train other muscle groups. Try traditional exercises on an exercise ball to add variety to your workouts...
Ball grip exercises are an effective way to relieve chronic pain from conditions such as arthritis. Physical therapists also recommend hand stretches using balls to help patients recover from hand and wrist injuries. The exerci...
Squeeze balls or grip balls are small gel-filled or sand-filled covered spheres that fit easily in your hand. They can be squeezed with different grips to strengthen specific muscles. The balls are inexpensive and widely availa...
Your SI joint is largely responsible for absorbing shock that would otherwise be absorbed by your spine, but it also plays a role in stabilizing your truck and lower body during exercises like jogging or jumping. Inflammation o...
Exercise balls, also known as stability balls, fitness balls and balance balls, are an easy way to raise the level of intensity of a workout. The balls, inflatables that look like giant beach balls but are much tougher, come in...
Toning balls are small workout accessories that take the shape of miniature medicine balls and are used in the same way. Toning balls come in weight sizes of about one to ten pounds each and feature a soft grippable surface, us...
The Swiss created the exercise ball as a rehabilitation tool for people with back injuries and physical disabilities. The inflated vinyl balls engage more of the muscles for any activity because they require constant tiny corre...
Exercise balls are a versatile and inexpensive addition to your personal arsenal of gym equipment. Exercise or stability balls are adaptable to a wide variety of exercise and game uses to promote core and extremity strength, bu...
The added resistance of a weighted ball can take the most basic of motions and turn them into an intense and difficult exercise. Weighted balls, commonly referred to as medicine balls, can weigh anywhere from two to 30 lbs. You...
An exercise ball can be a useful part of your routine for firming and toning muscle, and increasing support and stability within your body. Proper inflation helps ensure a safe exercise routine. You may need to check your ball...
Combining the need for being physically fit with the childlike interest in a ball produced an ergonomic exercise tool: the exercise ball. Exercise balls are designed to provide you with assistance in performing exercises for yo...
Two types of exercise balls populates health clubs and private fitness studios. The large balls, called stability balls, Swiss balls or therapy balls facilitate balance, strength and flexibility exercise, whereas the medicine b...
Large exercise balls work best for stretching and yoga. They can also be used as office chairs. Because larger balls are easier to balance on, they are better for beginning exercises. Small exercise balls are easy to hold and s...
The Gyro Ball is a fitness device. It is about the size of a tennis ball or baseball and contains a weighted center that spins inside a plastic shell. By starting the internal ball spinning, either by using the starter cord pro...
The physio ball, Swiss ball or stability ball is an inflatable ball made out of plastic, vinyl or rubber that was originally used by physical therapists for rehabilitation purposes. The ball comes in various sizes and is suitab...
Exercise balls are used in gyms and professional sports training centers and during physical therapy sessions to help people strengthen their muscles and improve their agility. The exercise ball is best known as a tool for work...
Exercise balls should be inflated fully to ensure they are safe and effective as you work out. The fullness of your exercise ball will affect its stability as you complete your exercises and how hard your core muscles have to w...
A medicine ball is a hard rubber or nylon training tool that is round or oval in shape. These balls range in weight from 1 to 30 lbs. When you first begin exercises, your best bet is to start off light until you master your for...
The physio-ball is a piece of exercise gear that allows you to perform a variety of quality exercises using your body weight and, in some cases, free weights such as dumbbells. Known as the Swiss ball, exercise ball and balance...
Although the therapeutic ball has various names, including Swiss, stability, exercise or physio ball, it consistently works your major muscle groups to develop core strength. Doing therapeutic ball exercises can build body awar...
An exercise ball can be added to your workout as part of your core training routine. Any type of move you perform with an exercise ball will work the muscles in the abdominals. Regular ab workouts can help you trim your waistli...
Spikey balls come in a variety of sizes and colors and are easy to use for exercise or self-massage. Due to their soft but spikey, rubbery design, spikey balls promote blood flow and healing and can help you stretch and work th...
"Star Trek" and "The Jetsons" may have inspired some of the exercise equipment at your local gym, but some fitness enthusiasts prefer a back-to-basics approach. The stability ball and its smaller sibling, the weighted mini-ball...
Exercise balls are inexpensive pieces of workout equipment that can help you train the muscles in your core. When you have a strong core, you will experience improvements in your balance and practice better posture. Before you ...
Lumbar ball is one of many names for an inflatable ball used for exercising. It is also called an ab, exercise, fitness, stability and Swiss ball. The word "lumbar" refers to the bottom five vertebrae in your spine. Doing exerc...
Setters especially require practice considering the accuracy needed to set up the ball for a spike. Setting takes more than just hitting the ball, which has led to the creation of several different exercises to practice each sk...
A stability ball, also known as a fitness ball, an exercise ball or a balance ball, is a vinyl, air-filled ball that will add an additional challenge to your usual strength-training exercises. Using a stability ball will add mo...
While there are more effective exercises, throwing a ball is an enjoyable way to increase your level of physical activity. Many sports require throwing, so you have a variety of options for exercises. Typical sports that involv...
You don't need a workout room full of equipment to strengthen your muscles and improve your balance. Invest in a resistance ball, also known as a stability ball, a balance ball or a fitness ball, and work your muscles at home. ...
Susan Klein-Vogelbach. When Joanne Posner-Mayer introduced the therapy ball to the U.S. in 1989, physical therapists there also began using it for rehabilitation of people with neurological and orthopedic problems. Before tryin...
Exercise balls strengthen a variety of muscles in the body while adding an element of core work to all your exercises. The ball itself is the only tool you need to strengthen your core, back, chest, legs and shoulders. Another ...
The rectus abdominus muscles compose one long muscle sheet that extends from your rib cage to your pelvis, according to EgyptianTwist.com. Different exercises often break them into upper and lower abs, and the lower rectus abdo...
An Aeromat weight ball is a functional training tool made of hard rubber. According to Cedric X. Bryant, chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, "the primary goal of functional training is to transfer the imp...
Exercise balls -- often called stability balls -- are primarily used to strengthen the core muscles of the back and abdomen. More recently, teachers have found that using exercise balls in the classroom are a viable alternative...
Smaller than medicine balls, weight balls range in size from that of a tennis ball to slightly larger than a softball. Exchanging weight balls for dumbbells and hand weights can offer a fun and challenging alternative to your e...
Exercise balls, also called stability or Physio balls, are popular fitness tools in homes and gyms. The popularity of these large, rubber balls stems from their versatility and convenience. Exercise balls are inexpensive and ca...
NordicTrack exercise balls are pieces of workout equipment for core and strength training. NordicTrack makes two kinds of exercise balls. There are the regular inflatable exercise balls and the exercise balls with tubing. Both ...
Stability balls, also known as exercise balls, are among the most popular types of training apparatus due to their effectiveness and the variety of exercises that they offer. The balls can be used to train the chest, core, legs...
Tighten your tummy, trim your waist and strengthen your core with exercise ball workouts. Also called stability or Swiss balls, exercise balls are large, colorful, air-filled balls that zero in on your midsection -- your lower ...
Commonly referred to as balance balls, fitness balls or Swiss balls, exercise balls provide a versatile training tool that can improve total body strength, endurance and flexibility. While exercise balls earned a reputation for...
An exercise ball, also called a stability ball, is a large, rubber ball filled with air. Exercise balls are used in gyms and homes for strength, functional and balance training. After you purchase an exercise ball, inflate it t...
Stability balls, also known as physio or Swiss balls, are particularly beneficial in strengthening the core muscles in your abdomen, back, thighs and buttocks as well as creating strong arm and leg muscles. Introducing an eleme...
Stability and weighted balls are great props to incorporate into your yoga practice. A stability ball can help you strengthen your core and engage in difficult poses. Weighted balls can develop the upper body while you perform ...
Also known as stability or fitness balls, exercise balls can be used for a variety of exercises that you perform everyday with no equipment. Because the exercise ball is an unstable object, your muscles are constantly working t...
Exercise balls have become very popular lately. They can be used in your regular workout sessions or you can attend fitness classes specifically focusing on their use. Performing exercises on or with an exercise ball can help y...
Adding a ball can make the workout dynamic, more comfortable and take the edge off any boredom that might creep in to your time at the gym. With some exercises, using a ball on the wall means you also don't have to worry about ...
Gaiam is a company that produces and sells yoga, Pilates and strength-training workout DVDs, in addition to exercise clothing, body-care products and fitness equipment. The company calls its exercise ball a “balance ball,...
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...
Although they look like they belong on a beach or in a playground, exercise balls can be a challenging and beneficial addition to a variety of workouts. Inflated stability balls can often hold several hundred pounds of weight a...
Make sure to get approval from your doctor before starting a prenatal workout program that involves exercise balls.
As of February 2011, the product was no longer commercially available, but the similarly sized Swiss ball is an appropriate substitute for shiatsu ball exercises for those not in possession of the latter.
Some effective exercise ball routines are performed by holding the ball. An exercise ball increases the intensity of your workouts by engaging additional muscles as you move through each routine. Stability balls are effective t...
The exercises your choose to do on an exercise ball, also called a stability or Swiss ball, depend on your intent. The best exercises for strength may not provide flexibility benefits, while stretching moves may do nothing to ...
You can improve your flexibility by performing stretching exercises with an exercise ball. Most people relegate stretching to warmup and cool-down exercises before and after workouts, but incorporating stretching exercises into...
A stability ball is a physical therapy tool that you can use to build muscle and exercise your body. This oversized plastic ball can add weight when you lift it and sitting on the ball can add an extra challenge for your abdomi...
Exercise balls, also known as fitness balls, exercise balls, or Swiss balls, are low-cost exercise tools that you can use to do a variety of exercises -- from core strengthening to cardio. However, if you're going to spend your...
Exercise balls are used in strength and balance training as well as in many rehabilitation programs. These rubber balls come in a large variety or sizes and colors. They are especially beneficial in strengthening the core muscl...
Exercise balls come in a variety of sizes and are fitness props that help you attain better balance and agility while strengthening your core. They are known by several different names, including Swiss balls, balance balls and ...
Stability balls are large balls used for core and balance training. Adding weight challenges your core muscles further while also working other muscles. Master exercises on solid surfaces before attempting them on a ball. Al...
Exercise balls, also called stability balls, range in size from 6 inches in diameter, about the size of a small melon, to 75 cm, about the diameter of an adult baseball bat. No matter what your preferred workout, there is an ex...
Common symptoms of sciatica are radiating leg pain, numbness and muscle weakness. Adults in the 30 to 50 year old range are susceptible to sciatica. Exercise is a valuable treatment tool for sciatica. Strengthening the abdomina...
A stability ball is very good for training the core muscles: abdominals, back and hips. Exercises completed with a stability ball challenge the core muscles by requiring them to engage to balance the body. Several ball exercise...
Using different equipment in your fitness program ensures continual progress and keeps your workout fresh. The exercise ball is slightly different from other equipment because it challenges the body in a different way. Using th...
Exercise balls are large, colorful balls made of rubber. When inflated to their proper size, exercise balls -- also known as stability balls -- function as a low-tech and adaptable exercise tool. Originally designed for injury ...
The Danskin weighted ball is the Danskin version of what is popularly known as a medicine ball. It comes in a variety of different weights, starting at 6 lbs., and can be used just as you would use a regular medicine ball. The ...
The inflatable exercise ball is an inexpensive and effective piece of fitness equipment. The correct size ball corresponds to your height. Individuals 5 feet,1 inch to 5 feet, 7 inches should use a 22-inch ball and if your heig...
Exercising painful fingers due to a chronic condition, such as osteoarthritis, can help improve your symptoms and make it easier for you to perform everyday tasks. Talk to your doctor before performing grip exercises if you hav...
An exercise ball is an inexpensive, inflatable piece of fitness equipment. It develops your balance and allows you to target your abs and other major muscle groups at the same time. The proper size exercise ball places your hip...
If those muscles are weak, you may not be able to ride as long as you would like, or you may experience muscle soreness. An exercise, or stability, ball can be used as a training tool to strengthen your riding muscles. For your...
If you're looking for a way to spice up your old strength-training routine, invest in an exercise ball. Exercise balls, also called fitness balls and stability balls, don't merely add complexity to your workout. When used prope...
Stability balls, well known in fitness facilities as a core-strengthening tool, can actually be used to tone and work almost every muscle group in your body. The instability of exercise balls requires your body to work harder, ...
Exercise balls, often called stability balls, are oversized, rubber balls filled with air. They come in several different sizes, which you select based on your height. After purchasing an exercise ball, you will need to inflate...
While some instructors dismissed them as a temporary fad, most health clubs now have at least a few balls on their gym floors and in their group exercise classrooms.
Exercise balls, also known as stability balls, Swiss balls, balance balls, fitness balls or yoga balls, are as beneficial to athletes as they are to seniors, beginning exercisers, yoga students, pregnant women, Pilates practiti...
Working out with an exercise ball, or stability ball, creates a dynamic workout that challenges you beyond the usual. By adding a ball to your workout, you add an element of instability, forcing your muscles to not only work on...
Exercise balls, also called stability balls, physio balls and yoga balls, are used in gyms, yoga studios, prenatal classes, physiotherapy clinics and home gyms. An exercise ball is a valuable tool for toning, relaxation, stretc...
Exercise balls, the air-inflated globes of tough plastic seen in almost any gym, have a variety of uses. The ball's shape lends support to your spine as you stretch. You can also use the ball for stability and balance training,...
Exercise balls are a common training apparatus found in most commercial gyms as well as in at-home training setups. Exercise balls facilitate many movements that work your entire body. They are especially useful for training yo...
Exercise balls provide a simple workout aid that is easily transportable and storable. These highly adaptable exercise aides also provide support for your body in ways that using the floor by itself would not, as the ball will ...
According to Bonnie Berk, childbirth education specialist, exercising during pregnancy helps to strengthen and tone your abdominal and back muscles to reduce injury potential and develop proper posture. The exercise ball can be...
You may associate a ball with the sport it corresponds with -- like a basketball, baseball, football, golf ball -- but balls are also used for exercise workouts. There are many to choose from depending on your fitness goal. The...
Fitness balls are starting to show up in offices as workers realize how good they are at preventing back pain. However, using round, inflatable objects as chairs also poses some hazards. With a few precautions, you can take a...
Exercise balls are versatile. Nearly any exercise done on solid ground can be done with an exercise ball. Use balls with or without resistance to improve flexibility, core stability, muscle strength, and cardio. They range fr...
In addition, a stability ball can travel easily to the outdoors, mixing up your workout environment and alleviating boredom. Reebok manufactures a variety of workout balls which are appropriate for different exercises, dependin...
A weighted ball, also known as a medicine ball, is a piece of equipment that you can use in strength-training workouts. You can buy medicine balls of different weights, just as you can buy different dumbbells. A medicine ball i...
You don't need a room full of expensive equipment to tone your muscles. You can use an exercise ball, also known as a balance ball or a stability ball, to add intensity to your workout. Talk to your doctor before starting a new...
Although most strengthening exercises isolate primarily one muscle, ball exercises tend to work core muscle groups. With the support of the ball, you can focus on contracting and strengthening groups of muscles. When you streng...
Exercise balls, also called stability balls and fitness balls, were designed by a Swiss doctor in the 1960s for use in physical therapy. The balls are an effective means of building muscles and endurance, strengthening your cor...
The medicine ball has a reputation for toughness. According to ESPN, Brett Farve retired once partially due to the dread of another preseason full of medicine ball workouts. The medicine ball at one time came in a single size a...
By incorporating an exercise ball into your workout, you reduce some of the impact on your joints while boosting your flexibility, balance and core stability. You can spice up just about any strength-training workout with an ex...
You don't need expensive gym equipment to get a full-body workout. Instead, you can invest in a weighted medicine ball and stability ball to tone and sculpt your entire body. Talk to your doctor before using a medicine ball or ...
Exercise balls serve a variety of purposes with uses from improving balance to strengthening your core. The balls come in different sizes to accommodate different body sizes and heights. They are also known as stability balls o...
Exercise balls can be a great addition to your workout routine. Sometimes called stability, balance or Swiss balls, exercise balls are a good choice for building core strength and improving balance and stability. For best resul...
An exercise ball is a diverse piece of equipment to have in your training toolbox. It is affordable and portable. You can deflate it, pack it up and take it with you. An exercise ball can be used in your aerobic, strength and f...
Exercise balls are used for a variety of reasons. They are incorporated into flexibility programs, used during rehabilitation, during Pilates or to help you strengthen your core muscles. Made of a thick rubber material, exercis...
You say Swedish exercise ball, others say stability ball. The Swedish ball has many names, including fitness ball, exercise ball, yoga ball, birthing ball and Swiss ball. These balls are large, inflatable, vinyl balls that can ...
The Bender ball, or small ball, is a small piece of exercise equipment used to work the abs and core. It consists of a small inflated rubber ball that can be used in a variety of positions to stimulate the midsection with wider...
Stability ball training provides you with an unstable surface that improves your stabilization strength and balance. You can perform total-body exercises with the ball alone that helps you also improve your muscular endurance a...
You can work out with an exercise ball in almost any setting with very little equipment, including your home, office and gym. Exercise balls help you do stretching, strength training, cardiovascular and combination exercises t...
Usually students are reminded to sit still during classroom learning. But this rule goes against children's natural tendency for movement, so some teachers are exchanging chairs for exercise balls. There is no research to docum...
Using a stability or fitness ball as part of your exercise routine is an effective way of building strength and balance. Whether you're a novice or advanced exerciser, the ball provides support to help work core muscle groups a...
A stability ball has many names -- Swiss ball, exercise ball or fitness ball -- and many functions. This fitness equipment originally emerged as a physical therapy device, designed to support the body in exercises for the abdom...
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 B...
Exercise balls, also known as stability balls, aren't just used for exercises such as variations of the traditional crunch or as a base for a dumbbell fly. Some people also use them as a chair, which can force muscles such as y...
They provide an unstable surface, which forces your body to work harder as it has to balance while performing the strength-training move. Exercise balls can help you to strengthen every muscle group in your body.
Stock your closet with a stability ball and a medicine ball and you'll have all you need to give your entire body a strenuous workout. Talk to your doctor before making changes in your current exercise routine, particularly if ...
Exercise balls --- also called yoga balls, Swiss balls and stability balls --- are often used for strength training and core exercises. But the ball's rounded shape also makes it an ideal, easy-to-position stretching aid, suppo...
An exercise ball is one of the most versatile pieces of equipment that you can have in your personal stock. You'll find endless ways to use the ball to create instability and postures that allow you to rev up your usual workout...
Nothing stops a good workout in its tracks like a cramp in the ball of your foot. Like other types of muscle cramps and spasms, foot cramps may stem from minor issues relating to nutrition and workout methods. But if you addres...
By the end of the 20th century, exercise balls were an equipment staple at most fitness centers, proving that they were not just a trend. As manufacturers competed to create affordable and easily accessible exercise balls, pric...
A stability ball, or exercise ball, is a large, over-inflated ball that is designed to target specific muscle groups and improve balance during exercise. Although exercise balls can be used for a variety of different movements,...
They come in various weights and can either be bouncing or non-bouncing. Some have one handle and some have two. Most often you will see plyo balls without handles being used to intensify everyday exercises by simply requiring ...
Check with your doctor before starting any new exercise program.
Exercise balls, also known as stability balls and balance balls, are effective stability training, weight training and stretching tools. Essentially heavy-duty balloons, these air-inflated spheres of sturdy plastic require a mi...
It fits easily into the small of your back or the crook of your knee, providing resistance, support and new range-of-motion challenges, according to the company website. Check with your doctor before starting any new exercise p...
Exercise stability balls can be used to bounce on, or you can bounce the ball as part of efforts to improve your health and fitness levels. A stability ball is a large, inflatable ball often used in physical rehabilitation sett...
According to a 2001 study commissioned by the American Council on Exercise, exercise-ball crunches are one of the best all-around ab exercises possible. So the burn you feel when doing crunches on an exercise ball can be an exa...
A cardio ball, or stability ball, is made up of strong, elastic rubber that ranges between 55 to 75 cm in diameter. You can use it to improve your balance and proprioception, which is your awareness in space and position withou...
You can perform full-body exercise using the stability ball alone or with other exercise equipment, such as dumbbells or resistance bands.
Working out with an exercise ball improves your core muscle stability, endurance and balance. This piece of fitness equipment has many names including fitness ball, Swiss ball and stability ball. Developed in Italy in the 1960s...
Athletes in such sports as soccer, basketball, baseball and softball must be able to control speeding balls. The key to ball control is practice. Create exercises that develop the skills necessary for common game situations. St...
Exercises that lift and strengthen the arch, such as toe grab exercises, can improve the quality of your arch and prevent the knee and ankle problems that sometimes accompany flat feet. You can perform toe grab exercises with a...
There are several causes for flat feet including poorly developed arches in childhood, excess weight or injury to the foot. Flat feet can potentially cause knee and ankle problems because your ankles turn inward when you walk a...
An exercise ball, often referred to as a birth ball when used during labor, can provide support for pregnant and laboring women. Sitting on the ball instead of a chair during pregnancy can strengthen your back and open up your ...
Exercise balls are also referred to as stability balls. These large, colorful, rubber balls were first introduced in Europe in the 1960s. They eventually made their way to the United States in 1989. First used for physical ther...
The speed ball, also called a speed bag, is a piece of boxing equipment that helps boxers practice speed, timing, rhythm, coordination and endurance. The speed ball hangs from an overhead apparatus with the widest part of the b...
A regular exercise program using an inflatable fitness ball offers an inexpensive and convenient way to develop your body awareness, lengthen your spine and strengthen your core. This can reduce disc compression in your spine, ...
Therapy ball exercises for children are designed to strengthen your child's muscles as well as improve his balance. While therapy ball exercises are often designed for children who are rehabbing injuries or with physical disabi...
SloMo balls are inflatable exercise balls that range in size from 7 to 22 inches in diameter. These stability-type balls can be used for a variety of exercises to work any part of the body, and adding a few SloMo ball exercises...
T-ball exercises are designed to improve your child's hitting and fielding ability as well as his overall batting stance. While T-ball exercises are often specific to young children, older baseball exercises can also using batt...
Oval exercise balls, also known as egg balls, are oblong stability balls that come in different sizes, similar to a traditional stability ball. You can perform almost all of the same exercises on an oval ball as you would on a ...
Tee ball is often a child's first taste of the game of baseball. In tee ball, it is important for players to have fun, learn the game and develop skills to play baseball down the road. Tee ball coach Kevin Litzinger says baseba...
Medicine ball exercises add variety to a fitness regimen and help increase strength, explosive power and muscular endurance. Weighted balls can be used at home, at the gym or sports training and conditioning.
This area and the area around the sacrum is the main nerve center of the body, and the place from which much of our lower back pain stems, according to the website Pilates-Back-Joint-Exercise. Using an exercise ball, also known...
Fitness balls, also called exercise balls, stability balls or balance balls, are portable, inexpensive pieces of fitness equipment you can use to tone every part of your body. However, if you don't want to shell out money for ...
Doing the same exercises the same way over and over leads to the body becoming accustomed to the routine, and you may no longer get results. Using a weighted ball, such as those from Harbinger, a fitness equipment company based...
Exercise balls, available in most sporting-goods stores and some department stores and supermarkets, are one of the most effective and inexpensive pieces of exercise equipment. With a good one, you can get a full-body workout ...
Exercise balls are also called stability balls, sports balls or Swiss balls. They are inflatable balls made from vinyl and come in a variety of sizes, but typically average about two feet in diameter. Originally used for physic...
When the nerve becomes pinched due to back injury, a slipped disk or narrowing of the spinal canal, you experience a painful condition known as sciatica. Performing physical therapy exercises on an exercise ball can help to ope...
An inflatable exercise ball can provide a complete body workout. Over time, your ball may deflate slightly, so you'll have to remove the plug in order to fill the ball with air. If you have tried this before, you may have walke...
You can't lose weight targeting only one area of your body -- you lose weight from your entire body. However, you can strengthen your muscles so that as you lose weight, your musculature reveals a toned physique. The exercise b...
Exercising on a stability ball helps improve leg and hip stability and body awareness.
While the Eastern Bloc countries continued to use this form of training, kettlebells did not reach American gyms until the 1990s. The kettlebell's structure allows you to swing the weight, facilitating resistance and aerobic ex...
Once you can do more than your target number of repetitions, add resistance or move on to more difficult variations on the exercise. Doing tough exercises means you receive adequate return on your investment of time and effort....
Baoding balls, also called Chinese health balls, chime balls or harmony balls, are ubiquitous sights in Asian gift shops. Although it might not be obvious to a Westerner not steeped in the philosophy of Chinese medicine, these ...
Large, plastic exercise balls can be used to assist you in building strong core muscles, according to MayoClinic.com. These balls also are known as stability balls because they provide support while requiring you to use your co...
Jumbo stability or exercise balls can help energize an otherwise boring workout. When your traditional body weight strengthening exercises cause you to plateau, or you're simply bored of your regular routine, adding a jumbo bal...
The cannon ball is a piece of exercise equipment in which the weight is contained in a large sphere with a handle extending out of the top. The most popular type of cannon ball exercise equipment is the kettlebell. Exercising w...
When this nerve becomes pinched, you experience pain, numbness or tingling. To alleviate this pain and reduce nerve inflammation, you can use an exercise ball, a common physical therapy tool. With frequent and consistent exerci...
Many parents and teachers try to get children with ADHD to stop fidgeting and stay focused. In fact, fidgeting and moving may help children with ADHD to focus. Sitting on an exercise ball facilitates movement, and being allowed...
While causes remain unknown, therapeutic interventions have made great strides in the management and understanding of autism. Exercise and certain types of stimulation, such as with an exercise ball, may help improve attention,...
This inflated ball, made from burst-resistant material, contains sand to add weight so the ball stays in place. The BOSU Ballast ball can be used to perform progressions of basic exercises to build muscle and improve balance. A...
You can assist your lymphatic system's function through bouncing. A stability ball, or Swiss ball, provides a supportive base for bouncing exercises without impact on the joints of your body. Exercise balls can be purchased at ...
Exercise balls, also called stability balls, physioballs, theraballs and Swiss balls, work the muscles of the core. Strengthening the core muscles improves posture, strengthens the back and abdominal muscles. Using an exercise ...
Add a softer side to your workouts with a therapy ball pumped up with more or less air. Also called a Swiss ball, body ball or exercise ball, it is lighter and larger -- 1 to 3 feet in diameter -- than a medicine ball. Use it f...
The Tornado Ball is a piece of exercise equipment developed by Paul Chek. It consists of a solid polyurethane ball that is not unlike a medicine ball, but it has a thick length of sailing rope protruding from its core. It is me...
While often ignored in traditional exercise programs, hand, finger, wrist and forearm strength should never be taken for granted. Manufacturers of gyroscopic exercise balls recognized the need for an exercise device that enhanc...
You can purchase exercise balls to improve your strength, stability and flexibility, but keep in mind that not all balls were created equal. As recently as 2009, millions of exercise balls were recalled because they burst while...
An exercise ball is an inflatable ball that can measure anywhere from about 14 to 34 inches or more. An exercise ball, also known as a therapy or fitness ball, is used for a variety of physical fitness purposes including as a b...
Exercise balls are commonly used to strengthen the core muscles, including the abdominals, obliques and lower back muscles, which may improve spinal stability, according to a 2006 study published in the "Journal of Strength and...
Exercise balls have become a popular tool in gyms, exercise, yoga and Pilates classes, and they can be purchased for home use. They can be used for a full-body workout that includes aerobics, strength training and stretching. T...
Sciatica is typically caused by a herniated disc in your spine, that is creating pressure on the nerve. Symptoms consist of lower back pain that radiates down the buttock and one leg, pain from your buttocks all the way to your...
Strength ball exercise, also called medicine ball training, has been around for centuries, but the balls made a dynamic comeback in the late 1980s. Nike, the athletic equipment and apparel manufacturing company, has its own lin...
Eventually, the wear and tear may lead to soreness or more serious conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome. Stretching and exercise designed to strengthen these areas can help prevent injury and speed recovery when damage does o...
Exercise balls provide a low-impact alternative to many common exercises. By performing certain exercises with an exercise ball, pressure can be reduced from the lower back. Exercise balls also add a balance element to many exe...
Exercise balls are found in weight rooms, exercise classes, yoga and Pilates studios, physical therapy centers and can also be used at home. They are a great addition to an exercise program and can add variety to an existing ro...
It is now a fitness industry standard and is used in fitness centers, gyms, home gyms and therapy centers worldwide. The exercise ball is now even used in the corporate world where some companies are removing office chairs and ...
The exercise ball, also commonly known as Swedish ball, Swiss ball and fitness ball, is a very versatile exercise and fitness tool. While many exercises can be performed sitting on the ball, there are also a variety of seated b...
Strength training exercises can be done with a variety of equipment. If you do not have access to a gym, you can get a great workout with a stability ball. In addition to performing basic crunches and core exercises, use your b...
The Power Strap Ball by Power Systems is a conventional medicine ball with two hook-and-loop straps. The ball is made of synthetic rubber, so it bounces. The removable straps make holding onto the ball easier for elderly or reh...
The exercise ball was first developed in Italy in the 1950s, according to the American College of Sports Medicine brochure, "Selecting and Effectively Using Stability Balls." An exercise -- or stability -- ball is an inflated s...
Suggest using an exercise ball as a desk chair, and you may be met with anything from enthusiasm to bafflement or wild derision. Despite anecdotes from adults pleased to have made the switch from desk chair to exercise ball, si...
This is there to keep the ball from rolling and to keep you more stable. Don't let this feature lead you to believe you cannot get a good workout with the ball. By doing the right exercises, you can build strength and improve y...
Exercise can also improve your mood and sleep, allowing you to stay energized throughout a hectic travel schedule. Use an exercise ball to enhance your workout while on the road.
This means that the sensory input that your central nervous system receives to figure out your body position is greater than when you are, for example, standing on the ground. A balance ball works in a similar manner for core e...
To imagine a kettle bell, think of a cannonball with a handle attached to it. The weight of a bell ranges from 8.8 lbs. to 88 lbs. According to Chris Freytag, from the American Council on Exercise, kettle bell exercises can hel...
The Swedish exercise ball is also known by several other names, such as Swiss ball, balance ball, exercise ball or fitness ball. Swedish ball exercises typically focus on core muscles, but the ball is versatile enough for a ful...
Hand ball exercises are designed to help improve your ability to strike the ball and return serves. While many children and young kids play hand ball with a large rubber ball, traditional hand ball is played with a small rubber...
Stability discs are inflated balance training tools similar to inflated exercise balls and made from the same materials. Both items are unstable and thus create challenge for your core muscles and balance when used during exerc...
Using a physical, or exercise, ball to workout is an effective way to tone and strengthen your core muscles. The resistance created by your body when it tries to remain centered and balanced on the inflated ball conditions musc...
The bean-like shape includes a long and wide body with a convex curve on one side and a concave curve on the other. This provides greater stability than the spherical stability ball, making the bean a good introductory tool for...
