Gym Balls: exercise balls, swiss balls, medicine balls, fitballs

We no longer stock gymballs ourselves but we suggest that the balls available from Logical Fitness, available in a range of sizes, strengths and colours, offer the AntiBurst and other safety features that are important to your successful and safe exercising.

Gym balls are a highly effective tool in engaging and exercising the core stability muscles, which together form a cylinder supporting the lower part of your body.

The core muscles consist of a number of deep trunk muscles, including primarily the Multifidus, Tranversus Abdominis and the pelvic floor muscles, which together form what Joseph Pilates called "the girldle of strength".

Activities which strengthen the Tranversus Abdominis muscle are particularly important since the pelvic floor muscles contract simultaneously with the TA to form the bottom of the cylinder or "girdle" of muscles. Working and strengthening the TA muscle helps to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles.

Gym balls can be used as seats, or for exercise workouts. Their inherent instability means your body has to work to maintain balance.

Gym balls are effective for:

• developing correct posture. When using a gym ball as a seat it is almost impossible to slouch. Recent research has confirmed that an upright sitting posture results in greater pelvic floor muscle activity in both continent and incontinent women (Sapsford 2008).

• continuous engagement of the core muscles. When sitting on a gym ball, the muscles are in a constant state of action, as they work to stabilise the body on the moving seat.

• engaging the correct muscles. Too often women exercise the Rectus Abdominis muscle (the six pack muscle) with the aim of developing a slimmer tummy. In fact, the Transversus Abdominis is a much deeper muscle, lower down in the abdomen. Sitting on a gymball is excellent for making this muscle work for you.

• guided exercises targeting specific muscles.The Core and the Floor (DVD) Inside Out (book), and Preggi Bellies Exercise for Pregnancy (DVD) all suggest the use of a gymball in their exercise programs. If you do not already own a gymball, we suggest that the Australian-made balls available from Logical Fitness, available in a range of sizes, strengths and colours, offer the AntiBurst and other safety features that are important to your successful and safe exercising.

For women who spend much of the day seated, sitting on a gym ball is an excellent option. If it isn't an appropriate choice for your workplace, consider a wobble cushion instead. It offers the same benefits as a ball, yet is more discreet in use. A wobble cushion is also an appropriate option for anyone with impaired balance who feels unsafe on a ball.

Gym balls should be ordered in the correct size for the intended user. When a ball is inflated to its intended size, and the user sits on it with feet flat on the ground, the thighs should be slightly sloping down, so that knees are slightly lower than hips.

Read more:

Gymball size guidelines
Gymball safety guidelines