Balance Ball Training?

[shrimpchip]

Everyone talks about working out with a balance ball. Does it really help? thanks

 

[Jilly]

Check out Lise Marie Mercer's book. Now, what was the title, I've lent the book out. Help me someone???

 

[num]

Open Your Heart With Winter Fitness: Mastering Life Through Love of the Slopes.

 

[Pequenita]

Everyone talks about working out with a balance ball. Does it really help? thanks

Stability ball, right? I believe so. It adds another dimension to your workouts. Resistance training is no longer just an up and down motion; a lateral motion is added, and the core needs to react otherwise you'll fall off the ball (ie, situps pushups, dumbbell weights). I find it more functional than normal gym routines b/c when we do things in sports, for instance, we're never just moving in one track or line. If anything, you're training your brain to react to subtle changes in balance.

 

[Jilly]

Thanks num.

There is lots of information about workouts with the ball in her book.

 

[shrimpchip]

Thank you soooo much for the inputs!

Lets see...a balance ball + weights + pro-fitter + skier's edge + trendmill + harbcarvers + Mt Hood summer camp = a second job.

 

[itri]

Core training is really the key to improving in most physical pursuits. You really don't realize how important core strength is until you start doing it and notice the difference. I was having some major hip pain due to my running, and after just a few weeks of physical therapy focusing on core strength, not only are my hips vastly improved, I really feel like my running is SO much stronger. I can't wait to see how it helps my skiing next season (well, and I guess at Abasin in two weeks!).