Did anyone read this article?

R

red_mct

Cathlete
http://health.msn.com/fitness/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100132929

It's Prevention Magazine, but... Denise Austin. I'm questioning her assertion that stability balls have been "proven" to be more effective than weight training and floor work. I want to say, well, yes, Denise, but only if, like you, the person is using three pound weights! Ok, that's mean, but I've never seen this assertion elsewhere so I'm interested in your educated opinions.

Marie
:7
 
I'm thinking you hit the nail on the head, Marie. The ball probably is more effective for those women who aren't interested in lifting heavier weights. I'd say it would give more benefits than those cute little itty bitty weights.

And then, it is pretty effective for functional fitness - balance, core, etc. - things that the isolated moves that body builders who use heavy weights just don't get.
 
Well, having worked with stability balls extensively for about 1-1/2 years, I have to agree with Denise. For lower body work, they are VERY effective. If you had told me I'd be saying this 1-1/2 years ago, I'd have told you you were crazy! I was VERY much into weight lifting before this, so I'm not like those women to which you were referring - the pastel dinky dumbbell group. I have serious dumbbells in my basement that are collecting dust because I don't use them anymore.

So I can say it's proven in my case, and the people who take my classes. Sometime you have to give it a try before you become a believer.

Edited to add: Denise references the cheap exercise tools like bands and balls, and I've found that these really DO work -besides the stability ball, I use Pilates rings, med balls and Gliders.

"It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt." Mark Twain ;-)
 
Interesting, honeybunch, can you get into more detail than that? What kind of exercises and what were your results? Anything from Cathe you can reference? I'm always looking for new ways to get fit (and it is easy to get burned out on the heavy weights, I think), so I'm curious.

Also, I never believe anything Denise says, hehe. :)

Marie
 
I do all of the stability ball exercises that Cathe does for core and lower body. I lost the most about the butt "spread" area - for lack of a better term - 3-1/2 inches! Also the leg "jiggle" area of the inner thigh. I also am more defined, which is a real shocker to me.

You can do leg extensions with the Pilates ring that are unbelievable! They work the inner thigh, abs, and quads. You sit on the floor, prop yourself on your elbows and put the ring between your ankles. Squeeze for all your worth, and bend your legs to a 90 degree angle, then extend. Do it SLOWLY at least 10 times and keep squeesing the ring the whole time - that's key. Then when you've done that, keep your legs extended and make big circles, 10 in one directions, then 10 in the other. Your legs and abs will be cooked, and you'll feel like you did leg extensions on the machine in the gym with an added ab bonus.

"It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt." Mark Twain ;-)
 
>How 'bout I get back to you on this after I complete my first
>GS Legs - weights AND stability ball shortly?

Ooohhhh Melody, GS legs floor work is KILLER! Have fun!!! }(
 
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