Fit Ball

The history of the Fit Ball (also known as a stability Ball, Fit Ball, Body Ball and Gym Ball) originates back to the early 1960's. It was made by an Italian toy maker called Aquilino Cosani.His company today,known as Ledragomma,are the major suppliers of Swiss Balls throughout the world. The Swiss Ball clinical applications by Dr. Susan Klein - Vogelbach, a Swiss Physical Therapist, can be traced back to the 1960's. Through a series of classes, seminars and clinical workshops, the Swiss Ball made it's way to the bay area of California, USA in the 1980's. Swiss Balls have had a long standing success in the world of clinical rehabilitation. Since then, due to their effectiveness in developing balance and core strength, athletic trainers, coaches, personal trainers and physical education teachers realised the potential uses for this piece of apparatus and began integrating them into their programmes. Due to Swiss Balls success and growing popularity, the last decade has seen the birth of various programmes developed to educate professionals on their use.   

Benefits 

• Compliments any other training programme.
• Promotes mobility and flexibility.
• Improves posture.
• Improves balance and muscular coordination.
• Versatile.
• Inexpensive.
• Can be used and transported anywhere.
• Fit Balls can be used in a gym, for personal training and group exercise classes.

   

The Fit Ball can be used in many different fitness environments including the following:    

• Weight Training - Use the Fit Ball as your new weights bench to add difficulty to the movements and incorporate the muscles of the lower body and core.
• Abdominal Training - Doing crunches, twists and other traditional exercises on the ball, adds difficulty by placing demands on more muscles and encourages an improved posture.
• Sitting Around - Just sitting on a Fit Ball can be a challenge. It is a good way to improve your posture when sitting in front of a computer or watching television.
• Rehabilitation - Fit Balls are great to use for corrective exercises and stretching, aiding recovery from injury.

 
Ante - Natal and Post Natal   During pregnancy, the average woman will put on 10kg. Because of this increased weight bearing, the spine, pelvis and surrounding muscles and ligaments undergo significant change. In particular, the abdominals undergo a process of lengthening and this may cause subsequent weakening of the abdominal wall. Hormonal changes are also prevalent, one of which is the production of relaxing, which softens ligaments to prepare the pelvis for the birthing process.   The impact of this weight increase, muscle lengthening and weakening, plus ligaments laxity, creates potential for the back pain, potentially leading to both joint and muscle dysfunction as postural integrity is challenged. 

  Fit Ball exercise is an excellent way to train muscles around the spine and pelvis to help combat these potential problems. Both ante - natal and post - natal phases of pregnancy benefit from targeted Fit Ball exercise; exercises that aim to strengthen the spinal and pelvic stabilising muscles. The Fit Ball may also be beneficial during labour, creating a support base for pelvic motion and comfort. Because of this, Fit Ball are now commonly used by midwifes.