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Fitballs
By Scott Burriss (Exercise Physiologist)
The origin of the fit-ball began in the 1960’s when Swiss physiotherapists used them as a therapy tool for children with cerebral palsy. Since then they have become a mainstream gym tool used by nearly everyone of any age group or gender. The main use for fit-ball’s today are for managing back injuries and as valuable addition to the development of core strength exercises.
The Fit-ball is a great way to add some variety to your workouts. Normal circuit training, walking or running are basic, easy to perform training methods, which don’t require any equipment and you can do them anywhere.
However as attractive as the ease of these exercise tools provides, over a long period of time you may become nonchalant with them. So if you want to spice things up go out and purchase yourself a Fit-Ball or Gym-ball. The cost is around $20 - $60 depending on the quality. The more expensive balls will have a non-burst guarantee and I recommend purchasing one of these, simply because you know its going to last.
Fit-ball’s can be awkward to use when you first get started because of the stabilisation properties you need to use to balance yourself on the ball. However, once you master your balance you can work just about any muscle in the body.
There are exercises designed specifically for fit-ball’s, however, you don’t have to reinvent the wheel and can incorporate just about any gym exercise into a fit-ball routine. For example when performing bicep curls try doing them on a ball or, similarly when doing chest flys also try performing that exercise lying on the fitball rather than a stable gym bench to achieve a much better workout.
In addition to providing balance training, which is an often overlooked component in most exercise programs, stability balls work your core in almost every exercise that is performed, and work multiple muscles at one time while forcing your body to balance itself. So your core will be better prepared to support the rest of your body in whatever activity you do. Fitballs are versatile too as they can be used at home or the gym, are for all ages, are lightweight and portable.
The Fit & Healthy Business healthy cart provides high quality, antiburst 55cm, 65cm and 75cm FitBalls to workplaces at excellent prices. Contact us to find out more.