For women dreaming of flat abs, the yoga fitness ball may be the answer. The yoga ball provides improved balance, stronger back muscles, and abdominal strengthening. The ball can also be used to improve posture and overall body strength. When combined with a solid nutritional plan, fat burning cardio, the yoga fitness ball can help you achieve bikini worthy flat abs sooner than you think.
What is the Yoga Fitness Ball?
The exercise ball is fabricated of PVC and when inflated with air can range in diameter from 35 to 85 centimeters. Although most closely associated with yoga, the ball is used in physical therapy, exercise, and athletic training. The ball is also referred to as a Swiss ball, medicine ball, therapy ball, and Pilates ball.
How to Use and Benefits
Athletes use the ball as an integral part of a strength training program because the ball increases balance, flexibility, and helps stretch all of the muscle groups.
Health and Exercise experts tout that crunches done on the yoga fitness ball alleviate stress on the back and joints and is an integral part of any abdominal exercise routine. A San Diego State University study ranked it as the third most effective exercise for flattening abs. Try adding the yoga fitness ball to your Pilates routine to increase resistance. When using the ball in combination with Pilates exercises that require you to maintain a contraction of core muscles, the ball increases your stabilization and offers a rigorous midriff workout.
Another popular abdominal exercise for the ball is the reaching crunch. Performed by keeping feet flat on the floor and raising arms straight up towards the ceiling, the reaching crunch works the rectus abdominus. The rectus abdominus muscle gives the appearance of a 6 pack when they are well toned because it is the most superficial muscle of the abdomen. Remember to contract your abs and keep your back on the ball while you reach for the ceiling with your fingertips.
In addition to providing balance and stability while exercising, the yoga fitness ball offers a no impact workout. People with arthritis and joint pain can enjoy a workout that does not put stress on the knees and shoulders.
The yoga fitness ball offers a great no impact workout to strengthen and flatten the abdominal muscles.
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