New Exercise Ball Work Out

It seems like every week there’s a new exercise ball work out being introduced.  After reading about the Reebok trapeze workout, I can’t help but think if that one goes, then the gloves are off.  So the other night, I took this picture for inspiration.  So what do you think about it?  Instead of exercise on the ball, we can do it in the ball.

Latest Exercise Ball Work Out Craze

Yes.  This is our guinea pig, in her Giant Guinea Pig Exercise Ball (Amazon Link).  Surprisingly enough, she has turned out to be a rather entertaining pet.  But, as I mentioned in my latest post about our fat cairn terrier, so too my wife noted that she is getting fat.  (I think there’s a joke buried in there about a fat pig, but I digress.)  So, she got her this exercise ball.  As I watched her trying to figure this thing out, I couldn’t help but think there’s potential for a new workout craze.  Hang with me as we consider the benefits.

1. Building balance.  Imagine, for a moment, being inside one of these balls and attempting to make it move.  It wobbles underneath you with every motion.  Take a step, and you not only have to balance yourself, but the ball as well.  Add one of these to your morning walk and you’ll kill two birds with one stone.  Cardio and balance building.

2.  Building strength.  Most experts recommend working the small muscles for “practical strength.”  Take the elderly for instance.  Workouts with smaller dumbbells has been proven more effective than heavier weights on machines at reducing the number of injuries from falls, etc.  Practical strength, right?  We could apply this same principle to the “Inside the Ball” workout by handing a small round weight inside the ball.  The participants would be asked to walk in any direction, so long as they keep the weight anywhere but at the bottom of the ball.

3.  Safety. Runners and walkers, safely encased within these protective bubbles, would be less susceptible to injuries from cars, cyclist, and even fellow bipeds.  Surprisingly enough, I know people who have taken such injuries.  Of course, their introduction may present a challenge to homeowners associations and cities, because sidewalks would need to be widened.

O.K., so I know this is nothing but a bunch of silliness.  But its funny to me how these balls are actually considered ideal of exercising pet rodents.  We’ve been trying for weeks to get our guinea pig to use this thing, and the only thing she does is sit there.  Of course, I can only imagine that she’s absolutely terrified to move.  The thing wobbles every time she shifts her weight, so she ends up sitting in one place the entire time.

I do think its funny how susceptible we are to the desire to buy fitness gadgets and “stuff.”  I’m just as guilty.  I’ve bought two yoga balls, both of which ended up in the trash.  I heard someone say the other day that they were going to get some fitness clothing so they could get serious about their workouts.  The reality is that we don’t need all the “stuff” to live a fit lifestyle.  But rather, quite often, it just gets in the way.  All we really need is some shorts, a t-shirt, and a good pair of shoes.  Even weights aren’t necessary if you choose a body weight workout.  The other stuff can be nice, but it isn’t necessary.

Do you have any fitness skeletons in your closet?  What’s the worst workout gadget you ever bought?

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