Using a Pilates Ball to Improve
Your Fitness
Pilates is an exercise program
that helps to strengthen and get
a person more flexible in
sophisticated but easy to do
movements. Mostly Pilates
exercises can be accomplished
with just a mat and a
determination to get fit.
However Pilates allows you to do
many advanced exercises that you
could not otherwise do without
one.
Pilates typically does not
require the use of weights or
sophisticated gym equipment.
That is what makes it so popular
with many people. You can do a
Pilates routine in the comfort
of your home or you can join a
fitness gym to practice with an
instructor. In many advanced
classes or DVDs that you might
use at home the use of a Pilates
ball will eventually come into
play.
The Pilates ball makes the
exercises you perform a bit more
advanced and possibly more
difficult. However, that is a
good thing as it will strengthen
your core with more focus than
if you did not have a Pilates
ball.
The Pilates ball is chosen based
on your height and weight. You
do not want the ball to be over
inflated. The fitness gyms will
typically have the Pilates ball
set at the correct inflation but
if you are using one at home it
will be easy to put too much air
in it. Make sure to read the
manufacturer's instruction for
inflation.
The Pilates ball makes your
moves more difficult and
advanced. The instability of the
ball during the exercise makes
your core do more work than if
you were not using one. Other
exercises can be made easier if
you are doing exercises where
you place your legs on the ball
for support.
For some floor exercises many
find the floor too hard. The
same exercise or variation can
be performed on the Pilates ball
which cuts down on the
discomfort. It can also work out
your entire body causing the
least discomfort or damage to
your muscles and particularly
those in your back. When
performing an exercise right on
the Pilates ball you are likely
to see a double effect of your
performance as it focuses more
toward your core.
The Pilates ball has interesting
uses other than exercises as
well. Many people use it as a
stool to sit on. The instability
of the ball as you sit on it
forces your core muscles to work
when otherwise they may not.
Simply sitting in a chair
relaxes your muscles and
sometimes encourages people to
slump. You will find that the
Pilates ball will help you
develop good posture.
A Pilates ball makes a wonderful
exercise tool. It can enhance
your exercises to strengthen
your core as well as support you
on to other exercises to make
your movements more comfortable.
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