So I got an exercise ball while I was in therapy and have used it for some GREAT core exercises. My therapist recommended using it to sit on while watching TV or folding laundry because any other sitting position aggravates my sciatic nerve… Little did I know it would be a killer back exercise.
The other night I sat on it through a movie we watched – just sat -and the next day every single back muscle was sore. At first I thought maybe I had threw my back out because I was so sore, but then I realized it was just from sitting on that ball.
The exercise balls are a great workout tool. You can strengthen pretty much every muscle group using one. Just stabilizing yourself contracts your core muscles so you basically get a two for one deal on each exercise. The downside is that they can be bulky and tough to store…oh yeah and the kids think its a jungle gym.
Great info, Sara. I have a jungle gym…I mean, exercise ball that has been quite neglected. I think I’m going to dust it off and start using it. Even if it is just sitting while watching tv or whatever. I’m thinking it will help my sciatica, too.
OOOOO! Maybe I’ll ask for one for my b-day. Or Santa! Hummm…..Don’t I already have enough balls in my house? I didn’t mean it like that, but we have bad luck with balls. Ok, I gotta stop.