Health Network News

Have you ever been flipping through the channels on your TV and come across one of the stations airing infomercials? If so, there’s a good chance you’ve seen at least some of the dozens of ‘latest and greatest’ pieces of exercise equipment continually flooding the market. Most of them, as evidenced by their showing up for resale at so many garage sales, are pieces of junk that don’t really work and are a waste of money. There is one, however, which is anything but. It may indeed be the single best piece of fitness equipment ever developed. It’s called the core exercise ball.

Known also as a fitness ball or sometimes as a stability ball, this device is a large rubber ball that is inflated and will support a weight of nearly half a ton. It’s used in conjunction with specific exercises that have you lying, leaning or sitting on the ball in various positions.

Use of the ball has become very popular since it was first introduced in the early 1990’s. No fitness trainer worth his salt would be without one. They’re that effective. They’re inexpensive, simple to use and probably the most effective means available for working on your core muscles. And developing your core muscles has been found to be the most important single goal in attaining a fit body.

Core muscles refer to the muscles within the center or torso of the body. They include the abdominals (in front of the stomach), the obliques (on either side of the stomach), the erector spinae (neck and back), the hip flexors, and lower trapezius (back and shoulders). These muscles are responsible for the origination of all body movements. Strengthening your core benefits and provides support for your entire body.

The key in training with an exercise ball is the need to maintain balance to keep from rolling over and falling off. To be able to do this, the core muscles are required to flex constantly. The more you practice the easier it will be and the fitter you will become.

Everyone’s seen those guys with the six-pack abs and maybe wished they could have them too. You may have even tried to knock out some sit-ups on a regular basis to try to accomplish this. Sorry, but this won’t work. In fact, it’s been determined that doing sit-ups can actually harm your body, especially your lower back. This isn’t a problem when using a fitness ball. What’s important is developing a strong core.

There are several sizes to choose from and you should get an exercise ball that’s properly suited to your individual height. If you sit on your exercise ball with your feet flat on the floor and your knees form a 90 degree angle, you’ve got the right size. Some stability balls are softer than others, and are recommended for beginners since they’re easier to use.

Originally devised to help rehabilitate sufferers of spinal injuries and those with neurological disorders, the core exercise ball has grown to become on of the most effective fitness aids of all time. There is no better way to do effective abs exercises. It can help you to acquire awesome abs and rid yourself of the unsightly fat that’s been hiding them for so long.