Question by boobugg: have you lost weight or really toned up using a bosu ball? Im curious about using one. im too busy working and going to school to workout right now and running on a treadmill has become boring. Have you used a bosu ball? and does it work?
Best answer:
Answer by Ethytr Sniff a banana, an apple, or a peppermint when you feel hungry. You might feel silly, but it works. When Alan R. Hirsch, M.D., neurological director of the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago, tried this with 3,000 volunteers, he found that the more frequently people sniffed, the less hungry they were and the more weight they lost — an average of 30 pounds each. One theory is that sniffing the food tricks the brain into thinking you’re actually eating it.
Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!
In gyms all across the country, people are using many different tools to exercise their core muscles. Some people really like the Swiss ball (Exercise Ball), and some people really like using the Bosu Ball. The Bosu Ball is half of a Swiss ball on a flat rubber platform, and it stands for Both Sides Up or Both Sides Utilized because you can do exercises on the flat platform and also on the soft dome shaped side.
Balance Training has become an important part of core workouts, because when you stand on one leg your center of gravity shifts, and the core muscles in your lower back and hips must work harder to maintain your stability. You can stand on the Bosu Ball with 2 feet or on 1 leg. 1 legged balancing on the Bosu Ball is really challenging, but it can lead to dramatic improvements in balance, coordination, and sports performance.
In addition to balancing exercises, you can do traditional abdominal and core exercises on the Bosu Ball. The Bosu ball can enhance your core workout in 2 major ways. It can challenge your stability because it has a soft unstable surface, and it can increase your core strength by allowing your body to utilize a greater range of motion when you perform traditional core exercises.
Whenever you do a core exercise on the Bosu Ball, your core muscles work both to stabilize and move your lower back and pelvis. When you perform core exercises on a stable surface like a machine or the floor, there is less challenge for the stabilizer muscles.
The Bosu Ball can also enhance your core workout by allowing your spine to utilize a greater range of motion. Your lower back has a natural curve, and the abdominal muscles work to reverse that natural curve. When you lie flat on the floor, the floor partially reverses the natural curve in your lower back, and this decreases the range of motion that the spine can move. Less range of motion equals less muscle work.
Here is an example of how the Bosu Ball can be used in your core workout to make your exercises more effective. When you perform crunches on a Bosu Ball, your spine can extend to its natural position, so you get additional range of motion when compared to the floor. The Bosu ball is also unstable, so your core muscles also work to keep you balanced as you crunch. Also, because the Bosu Ball is contoured, your body can focus more on segmental movement through the spine. Lastly, because the Bosu Ball keeps your body elevated off the ground, there truly is no rest position for the core muscles, so they stay engaged throughout the entire exercise.
The Bosu Ball is a great tool to use for core exercises. In addition to regular ab crunches, you can do reverse crunches, leg raises, Russian Twists, or V-ins. If you see a Bosu Ball lying around the gym floor, ask a trainer to show you a few exercises on it. You may find that it is one of your favorite tools to incorporate into your core workouts.
Charles A. Inniss, Jr. has a Doctorate Degree in Physical Therapy and is a Certified Personal Trainer. He is dedicated to helping people to live healthier happier lives.
Question by TC_AstroDad: How to properly size a Pilates Ball? I’m looking to get a Pilates ball to use as a chair at my computer desk. I’m rather tall at 6’4″ have a 36″ inseam and weigh 260. The 75cm I’ve seen at the local $Mart seems too small, and have not found any balls in person larger than that size making it difficult to gauge what size to order. Thanks in advance.
Best answer:
Answer by JT This link below explains it correctly. Click on “Select correct exercise ball size.”
When sitting on the ball, your thighs should be parallel to the floor, your feet flat on the floor and your knees at a 90 degree angle.
Your ball may not be inflated to its fullest or you may simply prefer a larger ball (little more challenging to find a 85 cm ball, but not impossible).
By the way, this site clearly mentions that if you are using the ball as a chair, you do need to use one size larger. Looks like they carry 85 cm balls.
Question by walknred: do you think one of those big children’s balls work in place of a pilates ball? I’m talking about those big rubber balls that usually sell for around .00 in the toy stores or Wal-mart.
Best answer:
Answer by Queen bee Redneck No they are made for kids and will pop under the weight of an adult-Trust me-Its better to go pay the little extra bucks than have a cracked tail bone-and no Im not a fat lard thats too big to be on one anyways.Have fun with your pilates : )
Builds strength in core, upper body, and lower body
Comes with hand pump and instructional wall chart
Perfect for yoga and fitness classes, fitness balls help increase flexibility while strengthening and toning muscles. Our fitness balls feature anti-burst construction and are easy to clean. Includes hand pump and instructional wall chart.Ideal for yoga and fitness classes, the TKO anti-burst fitness ball helps you increase your flexibility while strengthening and toning your muscles–especially your core. The 75-centimeter ball features a durable anti-burst construction, with a soft rubber surf
includes a foot pump, BOSU® Integrated Balance Training Manual and DVD.
Featuring a new, improved design and durability, the BOSU® PRO Balance Trainer has a bladder weight of 8 pounds, and a dually over-molded platform for extra strength and is 65CM. It has a smooth, non-skid, non-marking base. The BOSU® PRO Balance Trainer has a blue dome with logo detailing, light grey clamp and platform, and includes a foot pump, BOSU® Integrated Balance Training Manual and DVD.
NEW FEATURES ARE 8LB BLADDER, DUALLY OVER-MOLDED PLATFORM FOR EXTRA STRENGTH, NONSKID, NON-MARKIN
Question by honhill: Has anyone used the Bosu Ball body dome exerciser? I just bought the Bosu Ball thingy, that you stand on and it supposedly exercises your core. I heard good things about it, paid 0, any experiences or tips?
Best answer:
Answer by justme I just bought one from Target and I love it!!
A trainer at my YMCA has had me using it and i really enjoyed it. They are actually going to have a bosu class at my Y which sounds good.
Good luck, and you could always return it if you don’t like it!
Pilates Ball Exercises – How to Get a Healthy Body in 5 Steps
Pilates exercises are commonly done at home or in the studio on the Pilates Ball. This ball was introduced some years ago and complements the other Pilates accessories and equipment. The Pilates Ball is versatile and lightweight, making it an ideal choice as an exercise accompaniment. The ball provides many basic movements often neglected in our daily lives.
Just by sitting on the ball strengthens your posture and aligns your muscles. The Pilates Ball teaches you how to sit like you should by balancing your body with your shoulders, arms, bottom and legs. Bouncing on the ball improves the endurance of your back muscles. While you perform these movements, you will learn the proper breathing techniques to enable your body to be relaxed.
Stretching your spine forward is the third step in the Pilates Ball exercise and involves pulling your belly button up and into the back of your spine. You should inhale at the same time while keeping the chin horizontal. This will lengthen your upper body. Then exhale and drop the chin. You will feel your body stretching and becoming more agile in the process.
The fourth step in the Pilates Ball exercise is to roll back and forth on the ball with arms wrapping horizontally across your elbows. This movement will exercise the abdominal muscles.
The final step in the ball exercise aims to elongate the spine laterally. Lift the left arm straight up and inhale, then slowly exhale by elongating that arm towards the right. Repeat the movement with the right arm and after a few repetitions, you will find that your body is more flexible and your muscles are relaxed.
Alice S Kay is a writer on health and fitness issues. Visit this site for a full Pilates Ball review
Use the small exercise ball for Pilates, Yoga and fitness exercises
Features soft rubber surface for increased comfort
Requires inflation (straw included)
Deflate slightly and use as a prop for your feet, head, etc.
The FitBALL Mini Exercise Ball brings a whole new dimension to core and muscle training. This 9in ball adds a level of instability and can be used in Pilates, Yoga and fitness training. Place the FitBALL Mini under your lower back when performing crunches for a challenging workout. The soft rubber surface provides comfort and requires inflation. Deflate the FitBALL Mini and use as a prop under your head, neck, feet, etc.
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