Thread: Fitness Ball.

It isn't a fad or something gimmicky to use in the gym. The Swiss ball isn't really useful for bodybuilding applications (building mass or lifting very heavy), but for sports training that requires stability and balance it is very valuable. I use it all the time with clients, especially those who are training for sports or have stabilizers that need building. When it comes to the core you can't get a better workout with anything else.

One of the big problems is that most people have no idea why it is useful or how to use it properly.

i love using it.. not compared to other excerises, but i rank it high up on my list. if you want to use it for a body building application you could do what i do and slap a 35 or 45 pound plate up on your chest and try em that way.

I saw the dumbest powerlift ever use that stupid thing... he had 405 on a BB and he was probly about 260 pounds himself...of course the ball poped and if he hadn't had those two spotters he would have died.

I do not like Fit Balls. I think they are particularly dangerous when used by beginners, which certain clubs seem to be doing. Exercises such as presses should be done on a stationery, flat, solid surface, NOT a ball that can move around. And as an advanced trainer, I had a hard enough time keeping my balance trying to do dumbbell bench presses once on a ball, such that I was worrying more about my balance rather than focusing on the exercise working my chest. Can you imagine then what happens with a beginner or intermediate trainer?????

Ball, a fitness fad? great question, Btw. I do have one and use it for my at home "Pilate" use. It does make for a nice variation of excerise use. .... a Ball fad 2 one day B rolled out of the fitness arena? interesting thought?

Cheers guys - still not sure whether they're a good or a bad thing, but I do like using them for the abs!!!

mmuscle

http://www.makemuscle.net

Originally Posted by ihateschoolmt

I saw the dumbest powerlift ever use that stupid thing... he had 405 on a BB and he was probly about 260 pounds himself...of course the ball poped and if he hadn't had those two spotters he would have died.

ROFRLFIOLFJOIFANFIUSABIGBHSOIGN

Originally Posted by mmuscle

Cheers guys - still not sure whether they're a good or a bad thing, but I do like using them for the abs!!!

mmuscle

Wouldn't disagree about abs. I just think they should not be used when training with weights.

There was a guy using the fitball in my gym Sunday for dumbbell chest presses and cable flyes. He has no chest mass to speak of, his form was arkward ( ESPECIALLY using the cables) and he should be spending his time mastering basic bench presses and building some chest size before he gets into doing this stuff on a fitball.

I have 0 use for them other than kicking the thing across the gym when i'm pissed off from not getting a last rep.

they may have some benefit for some unique sexual positions but thats about it.

Originally Posted by Egoatdoor

Wouldn't disagree about abs. I just think they should not be used when training with weights.

There was a guy using the fitball in my gym Sunday for dumbbell chest presses and cable flyes. He has no chest mass to speak of, his form was arkward ( ESPECIALLY using the cables) and he should be spending his time mastering basic bench presses and building some chest size before he gets into doing this stuff on a fitball.

He may not want chest size - he may be training for stability and balance in his upper body. I agree though that most people get into training with these without knowing what they are doing. You don't use them to build mass.

For my own purposes it has been valuable for working on joint stability and core strength, which any athlete needs.

exercise balls rule for abs!

i have found no other ab exercise that hits the abs like crunches on an exercise ball, they are without doubt THE BEST ABS EXERCISE ON THE PLANET!

gawd i ake for about a week after just a couple of hard sets

i don't get why you'd do weights on them apart from improving balance

but they are certainly no a fad, i think for core training they are awesome

Originally Posted by Flex

I have 0 use for them other than kicking the thing across the gym when i'm pissed off from not getting a last rep.

I hadn't thought about that. I'll try that the next time I get pissed off because I couldn't get the last rep.