People often ask me what is the most important piece of exercise equipment they could own. I repond with a question: Where are you in your personal health now, and where would you like to be?
‘I do not exercise, but I really need to start” and “I work out at the gym but would like to do more at home” are the most common answers. My response is consistent: the most important tool is a quality exercise ball. Sit on it at dinner or watching TV, stretch on it, play with it. The key is when you use it you will start to re-learn the all important engagement of your core muscles or inner unit. If you cannot stabilize your core before you do any other movement, then you have a high risk of injury doing movements that are intended to get you healthy.
Bottom line is that a firm, properly sized ball should be in every home. And if body sizes vary, then you will need more than one. The more you use an exercise ball chair the better you will be able to engage core stabilizers and improve your balance. Balls are fun, challenging, and they tend to make you smile. We have no less than 5 balls around our average size home. They are always available to help keep us all happier, healthier and smiling.
Portable Fitness Equipment
Since I first began personal training in 1985 people have stated basically the same goals: To lose fat and gain muscle, improve athleticism, heal the body, increase movement skills, spend little money and train whenever and wherever they wanted.