Exercise Ball Ab Workouts

Pilates balls, also known as fitness balls, aren’t what most people think about when they hear the term “Pilates exercise equipment”.  But over the years, they’ve become a staple in many people’s workout routines.  Here’s how using a Pilates ball can boost your exercise program.

Get the Right Size

There are three main sizes of Pilates balls — 55 cm, 65 cm and 75 cm (diameter).  Buying the right one for you is a necessity for getting the most out of the exercises.

(You can see all three sizes for sale in the right sidebar — at less than $20 they are a true bargain!)

As a rule of thumb, here goes:  If you are 5′ 4″ or shorter, choose the 55 cm ball.  Between 5′ 4″ and 6′ in height, choose the 65 cm size.  And over 6 feet, select the 75 cm.

If you’re on one of the borderline heights, take into consideration the length of your legs; long legs go for the larger of the two sizes.  Shorter legs, go for the smaller Pilates ball size.

There’s the Stretch

Pilates balls can be used wonderfully well as a stretching tool, both before and after a workout.  The ball lets you stretch more muscles at a time, giving you a more even warmup (and cool-down).

In addition, this exercise ball helps to keep your body in correct alignment, increasing the efficiency of the stretching.

Balance and Resistance

Here’s the main reason that Pilates balls boost your workout…and it’s just because you’re sitting on a ball!

Sitting on an exercise ball isn’t like sitting on a chair.  The ball causes you to constantly shift your balance, giving your muscles an extra workout beyond the extercises themselves!  If you don’t believe me — just sit on a ball and find out.

The Pilates ball also provides a certain amount of resistance.  The more you inflate the ball, the more resistance you’ll end up with.  And the more resistance, the more your muscles have to work.

Pilates Balls and DVD

As I mentioned before, you’ll see the three sizes of Pilates balls in the sidebar on the right side of the screen.

And while you’re there, why not pick up a great starter DVD, if you’ve never done Pilates ball work before — I have it and I highly recommend it.   On the Ball Pilates Workout for Beginners

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