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

Buy a gym ball in a Combo Pack with either the Exercises for the Pelvic Floor DVD or the PreggiBellies DVD and save $$.

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
• 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) My Pelvic Flaw (book), and Preggi Bellies Exercise for Pregnancy (DVD) all suggest the use of a gymball in their exercise programs, with the two DVDs basing their entire exercise program around the use of a ball. Balls can be bought on their own on this page; alternatively follow the links above to buy the DVDs and gymballs in combo packages, and save!

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. As a rough guide, choose as follows:

• If you are between 5'1" - 5'6"/155 - 167cm, choose a 55cm Gym Ball (Purple)
• If you are between 5'7" - 6'1"/170 - 185cm, choose a 65cm Gym Ball (Silver)
• (If you are less than 155cm or more than 185cm in height, please contact us for more information about obtaining a gym ball of the correct size)

Gym balls are supplied complete with a pump, plug and plug remover, enabling you to inflate the ball quickly, and deflate it without damage whenever required. They are of superior anti-burst quality, manufactured to certified standards, made of latex free material.

Buy the gym ball in a Combo Pack with The Core and the Floor DVD or with Preggi Bellies Exercise for Pregnancy DVD and save.