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Fitness
Fitness
Exercising with a soft ball or fitness ball
Soft ball, fitness ball, pilates ball or Swiss ball
Strength training, yoga, and Pilates are sports that consist of various strength and balance exercises. You can use all kinds of accessories for this. For example, Use balls to make your class or workout even more versatile.
You can use balls for strength exercises, as a chair during other exercises, or to strengthen your core. They can also have a relaxing effect and be used for medical purposes, such as during rehabilitation.
The balls are anti-slip, preventing them from slipping and allowing you to grip them securely. These balls are often used in gyms, Pilates, and yoga studios, but they also make it easy to do a versatile workout at home.
The different balls
There are two types of balls that you can use as accessories during sports, namely the fitness ball and the soft ball.
Fitness ball
The fitness ball is also called a Swiss ball, exercise ball, or Pilates ball. This is the larger version and is generally made of elastomeric plastic. This is a firm, soft, and elastic material. You blow air into the ball to use it, but the amount of air you need depends on how you use it. The more air you blow into it, the less elastic it becomes and the firmer and larger it becomes.
These fitness balls range in diameter from 45 to 85 cm. For most exercises, it's important to choose a Swiss ball that allows your knees and hips to be at the same height when sitting on it. For someone 1.65 meters tall, this averages out to 55 cm. This Swiss ball from Fitness-Mad is perfect. Or are you a little taller and are you between 1.65 and 1.85 meters tall? Then you'd be better off choosing a sitting ball with a diameter of 65 cm, such as this one from Fitness-Mad. View here A fitness ball with a diameter of 75 cm is most suitable for people who are taller than 1.85 meters. These can be found here Depending on the exercises you do, you can also choose to use a larger or smaller exercise ball.
Fitness balls also vary in their weight capacity. They typically have a weight capacity of 150, 300, and 500 kg. Your body weight determines which ball is right for you, as does the intensity of your workout. Certain exercises put a lot of force on the ball, requiring a higher weight capacity. View all Swiss balls here to see which one suits you best.
Softball
A softball Sometimes called a Pilates ball, this ball is made of a soft material that allows you to easily hold it in one hand and squeeze it firmly between your legs. It has a diameter of 17 to 27 cm. This size is usually indicated with a range of a few centimeters, for example, 17 to 19 cm. The exact size depends on how much air is in it and how it is manufactured. The most suitable size depends on your use and personal preference. Yoga-pilatesshop sells various Pilates soft balls from two brands, Pilates-Mad and SISSEL®. Pilates-Mad offers balls in 18 cm, 23 cm and 30 cm available. We have soft balls from SISSEL® 22 cm and 26 cm.
How do you use balls in sports?
As you might expect, the two types of balls can be used in different ways. The fitness ball, for example, is ideal for strengthening your body. You can do this in all sorts of ways: by strengthening your muscles, improving your posture, stabilizing your spine, and improving your flexibility.
You can do all sorts of exercises with the Swiss ball to achieve these different goals. For example, you can train your abs with a crunch while resting your legs on the ball. You can also lie on your back, grasp the ball with your hands, and pass it to your legs. Hold it between your feet and lower your arms and feet, then raise them again and pass the ball back to your hands. This will train all sorts of muscles, including your abs and back.
You can also use the fitness ball for relaxing exercises. For example, you can lie on the ball on your back or stomach while relaxing your back and/or abdominal muscles. Lying on the ball provides an extra stretch for your muscles.
Finally can you use a pilates ball To sit on, for example, while working or pursuing your hobby. It functions like a chair, with additional features. Because the ball is unstable, the muscles in your core have to constantly contract to maintain your balance. This strengthens your core and improves your stability and balance. This, in turn, improves your posture.
You can use a soft ball to improve your coordination, balance, and flexibility. You use the ball for support, to perform a specific exercise, or to make it even more powerful. Using a soft ball can also help you target specific muscle groups during an exercise. For example, place the ball under your left foot while doing a squat. This will specifically target your right glute and leg.
Using a fitness ball and a soft ball helps you focus better during your workout. You're focused on using the ball correctly, which helps you perform your exercise correctly.
Buy a fitness ball or soft ball
You can buy fitness and soft balls at Yoga-Pilatesshop.nl. You can choose from a wide range of fitness and soft balls, such as Swiss Ball – 500 kg, 75 cm and the Soft Ball – 18 cm. View our full range to choose the ball that best suits your workout.