Pilates Ball Exercise

A Pilates ball increases the effectiveness of Pilates exercises by adding additional balancing requirements.

The principle behind the Pilates exercises is creating core strength which then leads to a healthier overall fitness condition. When a ball is used the core muscles are engaged even more while increasing concentration.

Balancing Act

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If you have ever tried to balance anything at all you realize it takes more concentration and effort. Just think about the times you have balanced armfuls of plates while setting the table or balanced your time in order to accomplish certain goals. You have to work harder and pay closer attention to what you are doing to make the balancing act work.

The Pilates ball operates on the same principle.

When you add a ball to your Pilates routine, it is necessary to concentrate more on what you are doing in order to remain balanced and focused.

There are really two sizes of balls – one you sit on and a smaller one you hold in your hands when doing core muscle exercises.

The larger Pilates ball is often called a Core Muscle Ball or a Stability ball. When you sit on the ball, it increases the effort needed to remain balanced. This in turn leads to greater use of the core muscles, and developing strong core stability is the underlying Pilates principle.

Creating Stability With Instability

Pilates exercises concentrate on building core strength which then leads to a stronger whole body. For the exercises to be effective, the core muscles must be engaged.

The core muscles are the muscles which virtually tie the whole body together so when they are strong and toned, the rest of the body benefits with increased flexibility and strength.

You can do Pilates exercises on mats alone, but adding a Pilates ball increases the effectiveness of movements.

When you are sitting on a ball there is a level of instability added to the exercise which requires additional core muscle effort to keep the body stable. So by adding instability to the exercise, you actually add more stability to your core muscle group.

The smaller balls held in the hands during Pilates exercises also increase exercise effectiveness.

The ball provides a focus while requiring additional core muscle effort to maintain height and movement.

Exercise balls are used in fitness programs to challenge the body.

When you are sitting or lying on a ball, the core muscles must contract in order to keep the body balanced. As you exercise, the muscles remain contracted so you are getting the benefits of the exercises the entire time.

Challenging the Body

The muscles that stabilize the torso are the muscles which control all Pilates moves.

The use of a large or small Pilates ball forces these muscles to work harder by challenging the body's ability to maintain stability. The increased intensity leads to amazing results.

All too often people spend time exercising and are not getting the full benefits simply because they lose focus or don't realize they are using the wrong muscles. The ball helps you correct these conditions by forcing your core muscle group to work harder.

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