These squishy rubber balls, that look disturbingly similar to Space Hoppers (but without the ears and manic grin), can help make your muscles stronger, especially your tummy, bum and thighs, improve your balance, make you more flexible and can help you in your quest to a flat stomach. They’re also tremendous fun to use.
Also known as Swiss balls, physiotherapy balls or fitness balls, they range in price from £10-£40 and come in different sizes to cater for people of different heights. You’ll also need a pump. Sometimes they have to be bought separately but I managed to get mine included in the pack (Bourne Fitness Ball bought from TK Maxx).
Once you’ve pumped the thing up – a workout in itself – you’re ready to go. Mine came with an exercise chart but if your doesn’t, you can find charts, books, videos and DVDs on the Internet or the health and fitness section of a book or video shop. The basic idea is that you do exercises such as stomach crunches whilst balancing on the ball. This not only works your abdominal muscles but a whole range of other muscles as you try to stay balanced. And believe me, when it comes to the more advanced exercises you’ll need a good open space to do them in because you WILL fall off at least once!
Using the ball you really can exercise pretty much every bit of your body and it makes a welcome change from boring gym machines or that tired old exercise video that you’ve had for years. And for such a low price, I think they’re a bargain, and they work. After my gym ball workouts my stomach muscles burn and I really feel like I’ve worked hard. I’ve also noticed a decrease in my waist measurement.
For all those of you who like Yoga and Pilates, there is now a "Gym Ball Pilates Workout" video available in the shops. I bought it last week but haven't tried it yet. However, it demonstrates the versatility of the ball.
Men – don’t think they’re very masculine? Bit girly? Well, the England Rugby Union Team uses them in training to build what’s called “core strength”, but if you’d be willing to tell Martyn Johnson that they’re only for girls, go right ahead.
Any disadvantages? Well, mine has a tendency to deflate fairly quickly which is just a tad annoying. Usually you've got to pay more for the bigger sizes, so if you're tall, you get penalised. The big ones are BIG so you might have problems moving them from room to room once they're inflated.
So, the verdict is get one today. You’ll wonder how you did your home workouts without it!
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They've got these balls at the gym I go to but I'm a bit self concious to get on one! lol Excellent first review, welcome to Ciao. :O)
Minha 22.05.2004 10:42
Think I could do with one of these - but no doubt the dog would attack me - and I'd probably land on one of the cats when I fell off! Great review - welcome to Ciao. Hazel xx
MAFARRIMOND 22.05.2004 02:43
Enjoyed reading your review. It was informative and entertaining. I have always meant to have a go with one of these. Maureen
Advantages: Not just good for your spine, but fun too! Disadvantages: Doesn't fit through my doors when fully inflated, so can't move it from room to room.
Zedex 24.09.2003 (24.09.2003)
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