What is a balance ball?
Whether you call it a balance ball, swiss ball, physio ball, or stability ball, they’re all just different names for the same exercise equipment game – a way to strengthen your core.
What is my core and why do I want to strengthen it?
Your core is made up of a complex series of muscles that includes almost everything except your arms and your legs. The muscles in your core act as stabilizers for your entire body. Your core is engaged in almost every movement your body makes. As you strengthen your core, you improve your stability and protect your spine from potential injury.
How do I choose the right balance ball?
The first step in any exercise program with a balance ball is making sure that you have a ball that is the right size. To choose the right ball size, make sure that when you are seated on the ball, your body – from your knees to your hips – is parallel to the ground.
Simple balance ball exercises:
Have a seat on the balance ball making sure that your posture is in good position with your head up, your shoulders back, and your spine in a neutral position. Next you’ll pick one foot off the ground at a time in a walking motion, making sure that the ball does not move and that you do not lose your balance, while trying not to shift your weight too much to one side. For an advanced version of this exercise, straighten each leg out. Again, your focus here is to make sure that you keep and maintain your balance, maintain good posture, and try to keep the ball from moving while you’re performing these exercises on the ball.
