Okay, so today I wanted to try something different, something called a “physioball”. I saw some people using it, and it looked fun. So, I bought one online. It arrived this morning, and it’s huge! It’s like a giant, bouncy balloon.
First, I needed to blow it up. This was a workout in itself! I used the little pump that came with it, and after about 20 minutes, it was finally inflated. I sat on it, and it was surprisingly comfortable. It made me sit up straighter, which is probably good for my back, you know. I guess it’s true what those guys online said, “It supports the back by letting muscles elongate along the spine, as well as through the core.” Pretty cool, huh?
Trying Out Some Moves
Then I thought, “Let’s try some exercises.” I remember seeing a post somewhere about exercises with this ball thing. It mentioned something about “anti-extension core strength”. Sounds fancy, but I just wanted to see what I could do. The post I read said something like: “Below is a series of progressions you can use for anti-extension core strength training with a physioball. 1. Physioball Stir the Pot. 2. Physioball Push-Pull. 3. Physioball Knee Tuck. 4. …”. I decided to give them a try.
- Stir the Pot: I got on my knees and put my forearms on the ball. Then, I tried to make small circles with my arms, like stirring a big pot. It was harder than it looked! My whole body was shaking. I can see why people said it is good for the core, the whole body was involved and I tried my best to keep balance.
- Push-Pull: This one was a bit confusing. I tried to push the ball away from me and then pull it back. I almost fell over a couple of times, but it felt like a good stretch. I found that by laying on the ball with my front body and supporting myself with both hands on the floor, it worked for me.
- Knee Tuck: I put my hands on the floor and my shins on the ball. Then, I tried to bring my knees towards my chest. This was tough! I could only do a few before I needed a break. I have to admit it was the most challenging move and I had to pause and rest for a while before I can do another one.
After trying these exercises, I was surprisingly tired! I felt it mostly in my stomach muscles. I think I’ll try to do this a few times a week. I have read some posts online saying “7 Physioball Exercises to Improve Mobility.” but I think these three are already enough for a beginner like me. This physioball is definitely a good way to work out at home. Plus, I found that even just sitting on it while watching TV is kind of fun. And I saw that even kids can use it. “The Physioball is a great piece of equipment for kids of all ages.” I might get a smaller one for my nephew, he can bounce around on it. It’s a fun way to get some exercise without feeling like you’re exercising. I’m glad I gave it a try!
Discussion about this post