Group: Experienced Exercise

Created: 2012/01/01, Members: 50, Messages: 19484

For intermediate and advanced individuals. Share and learn how to take your fitness to the next level!

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Exercise Balls

davidov
davidov
Posts: 95
Joined: 2002/10/24
Canada
2003/05/05, 11:34 PM
I have a friend that rants and raves at how he uses one in each of his bodypart routines for atleast one exercise. For instance, on a chest day he'll do chest press using one like a bench or on shoulders day he'll use one as a seat and do shoulder presses. He claims that this practise involves many more stabilizer muscles than the same exercise performed on a bench would. What are the benefits/disadvantages of doing this? Has anyone tried it, would you recommend?

Thanks
kkor
kkor
Posts: 71
Joined: 2003/01/09
United States
2003/05/06, 03:13 PM
You can use the Swiss ball for anything you use a bench for. Just use it like a bench. You do have to use the stabilizer muscles just to stay on the darn thing, which is why it's good. However, if you're using really heavy weights or heavy dumbells, I would stick to the bench. To me it's just safer.
bb1fit
bb1fit
Posts: 11,105
Joined: 2001/06/30
United States
2003/05/06, 05:30 PM
yes, the swiss ball is a great piece of equipment. Very versatile, and very cheap! If you are not into heavy weights, the ball is great. You can even do ball squats with it. And not to mention core abdominal strength. Some guys in my old gym used to do heavy weights with it, need to be careful though. It is round..LOL...and will move on you.

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As far as genetics go, the skies the limit. You are limited only by your mental perception of it.

Ron
bb1fit
bb1fit
Posts: 11,105
Joined: 2001/06/30
United States
2003/05/06, 05:30 PM
yes, the swiss ball is a great piece of equipment. Very versatile, and very cheap! If you are not into heavy weights, the ball is great. You can even do ball squats with it. And not to mention core abdominal strength. Some guys in my old gym used to do heavy weights with it, need to be careful though. It is round..LOL...and will move on you.

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As far as genetics go, the skies the limit. You are limited only by your mental perception of it.

Ron
bb1fit
bb1fit
Posts: 11,105
Joined: 2001/06/30
United States
2003/05/06, 05:30 PM
yes, the swiss ball is a great piece of equipment. Very versatile, and very cheap! If you are not into heavy weights, the ball is great. You can even do ball squats with it. And not to mention core abdominal strength. Some guys in my old gym used to do heavy weights with it, need to be careful though. It is round..LOL...and will move on you.
mackfactor
mackfactor
Posts: 766
Joined: 2002/10/17
United States
2003/05/09, 05:19 PM
Just like any other method, the ball has its place. But just like any other method, it should not be used exclusively. I know some guys that do all kinds of great stuff on a ball, even squats while standing on it (I don't recommend trying this). That's what this guy's known for, but he only uses it for 10% or less of his total work. That's the way it should be.

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"Don't follow leaders and watch your parking meters!"
-- Bob Dylan