An exercise ball is a large inflatable exercise ball. Originating in the 1960's, the Exercise Ball has been used in a variety of therapeutic, fitness and daily exercises. It can be sat, lay flat, leaned on, or sandwiched between arms and legs to provide varying levels of resistance and balance training. It is popular among elite athletes at the professional level as well as everyday beginners. Developed in the early 1960s, this ball also goes by many different names, including yoga ball, Pilates ball, balance ball, birthing ball, and stability ball.
An exercise ball is a larger-sized piece of exercise equipment, usually between 18 and 30 inches (45 and 75 cm). They are very durable and can support the weight of most average-sized adults, often in excess of 200 lbs. Exercise balls are popular because they are cheap, safe, easy, and offer a variety of exercises. The Exercise Ball can be combined with many existing exercises and weightlifting exercises, as well as a variety of new exercises developed for the ball, for a complete workout.
The most famous uses of Exercise balls are balance and core strength and conditioning. It is one of the top fitness tools in the world. The instability of the sphere forces the user to constantly adjust their balance, enhancing both stability and flexibility. Users can lie or sit on the ball to increase the difficulty and muscle isolation of the lift while using free weights. It works the back and abdominal muscles at the same time during sit-ups or sit-ups. It can also be held by the arms or legs for some stretching and weight lifting exercises.
The Exercise ball for labor is also used as a "birth ball". During labor, pregnant women can sit on the pregnancy ball with their arms balanced on a nearby table or bed. The rolling motion of the ball aids in the natural rocking process of labor.
The Exercise Ball was developed in Italy in the early 1960s by Aquilino Cosani. Coasani, a plastic manufacturer, found a way to make very large, puncture-resistant balls out of cheap plastic. These balls soon became widely available among Swiss chiropractic and physiotherapists. It is used to treat orthopedic problems and to assist in rehabilitation. The Exercise ball entered the United States as a therapeutic tool in the early 1980s and soon made its way to gyms and athletic facilities, where it remains today.
