Core strength exercises have become the standard and aerobics instructors, personal trainers and fitness gurus around the globe are touting the benefits of increasing and protecting core strength because it results in better balance, fewer injuries, and improved performance in just about every sport. If you workout with an exercise ball, you'll find plenty of opportunities to build your core strength.
One easy way to use an exercise ball to improve your core strength is to simply replace your office chair with an exercise ball. Your abdominal, oblique and back muscles will get stronger simply by you balancing on the exercise ball as you work.
The following are exercise ball routines aimed specifically at improving core strength:
Plank position utilizing the exercise ball
Lie on top of the exercise ball with your stomach in contact with the ball. Tip your body forward until you have both hands on the floor. Walk your hands forward, allowing the ball to slide until it is supporting your legs and you are in a plank position, with your hands on the floor shoulder width apart and your body stiff as a board. Make sure you engage your core muscles so your back does not sag. Hold this position until your back threatens to cave in. Walk your way back onto the ball and allow yourself to relax, giving your core muscles a rest. Repeat exercise.
Abdominal pull utilizing the exercise ball
ink to your knees in front of your exercise ball, placing your hands and forearms on the ball. Contract your stomach and form a 90 degree angle with your body, using your forearms and knees as your only weight-bearing points of your body. Carefully roll the ball forward and back, using your abdominal muscles to extend your body to a semi-plank position, then pull yourself back into a 90 degree angle. This pushing and pulling activity should challenge your abdominal muscles without stressing your back muscles to the point of sagging or failure.
Crunches utilizing the exercise ball
Lie on your back on your exercise ball, your back being your contact point with the ball. Allow your feet to remain on the floor. Cross your arms over your chest and contract your abdominal muscles as you perform crunches while resting the small of your back on the ball. The ball makes your body work harder to maintain stability as your exercise your core muscles.
 | Building strength with core workouts stabilizes your torso, protects your spine, improves your balance and reduces the risk of lower back injury. |
 | An exercise ball workout forces you to engage multiple muscles in your core at once, increasing the effectiveness of your workout while decreasing the amount of time you need to work out if you targeted each core muscle independently. |
Core training is the latest rage in the fitness industry, but not many people really understand what it is. There are many misconceptions about what it is and how it works. People know that core training is smarter training, but they may not realize why that is. |
Exercise equipment comes in a large range of pieces for individuals to choose from. However, one of the most useful pieces of exercise equipment, the "exercise ball" is also one of the most simple. First introduced by a group of medical therapists who practiced in Switzerland, exercise balls, like other exercise equipment, are available in different sizes and a number of eye-catching colors. |
Whether you want to improve your balance or develop killer abdominal muscles, core strength training is your ticket to a stronger you. |
