Balance/exercise balls!

[FlashHarry]

Does anyone use one of these balls to exercise or improve their balance for riding? Are they any good? Is there a guide to relevant exercises anywhere? How do you know what size to get? Can anyone recommend a good make? (I 'm exhausted just considering all this!!)

 

[FrodoBeutlin]

Ooops, I bought one once, but it ended up in my horse's field for him to play with

 

[pootleperkin]

I have one and love bouncing around on it in front of the TV very good for your core stability. A really good exercise is to lift one foot off the ground when you are sitting on it and keep your body upright, not collapsing at the hip - harder than it sounds!

They are usually marked as to what size corresponds with what height on the box. TKMaxx is a good place to buy them cheap - that's where mine is from.

 

[nedzy]

I used to go to 'ball' classes at the local leisure centre. It finds muscles you never knew you had, and in my case they ached for over a week, every time. To buy the correct size, you should sit on one and have right angle thighs thru' knees, if anything your thighs should slope downwards away from you rather than sitting lower than your knees, if that makes any sense!

 

[TayloredEq]

For the right height measure from your ankle to the bony bit that sticks out on the side and slightly to the front of your knee. then add 20% of this total.

Eg. 50cm from ankle to bony bit
20% = 10cm

therefore you would need to be sat at a height of 60cm. In this instance go for a 65cm ball as when you sit on it will be less then its full capacity.

I don't know what area you are in but you could check out "Equicision"

I recently hosted some of their clinics and their exercises were great for improving posture and rider fitness. Their program has been specifically designed for horse riders.

Beware of pilates - some of the exercises are counterproductive to riding.

 

[FlashHarry]

Thanks everyone - think I'll get one for the long winter evenings in front of the TV.