Gym Ball & Exercises

[Joyous70]

Does anyone on here use a gym ball? I was looking at buying one to hopefully help build my core muscles but am unsure as to which one i need and if any of them come with an exercise book and if so which exercises are best for horse riding.

Thanks in advance

 

[Gamebird]

No, but I am eagerly awaiting replies as it's on my 'to do' list too! Someone said I should sit on it whenever I sit down to watch TV. They clearly don't understand my lifestyle!

 

[Joyous70]

Im actually wondering if i could get away with using one whilst sitting at my desk at work

 

[HappyHooves]

Already discussed recently - suggestions here
-http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?627909-Riding-exercises-you-can-do-on-a-gym-ball&p=11989879#post11989879

 

[GlamourPuss86]

Joyous70 I have one i keep threatening to bring to work as my posture is so bad!!

 

[Joyous70]

Already discussed recently - suggestions here
-http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?627909-Riding-exercises-you-can-do-on-a-gym-ball&p=11989879#post11989879

Thanks for that i'll have a look - i did try a search but it didn't seem to throw anything up

 

[Joyous70]

Joyous70 I have one i keep threatening to bring to work as my posture is so bad!!

Glad im not alone then

 

[fatpiggy]

I do half an hour with a gym ball every morning as part of my gym session before work. They are brilliant! They work your muscles really hard because of the balance element involved so prepare to hurt for a while. I don't ride anymore but still do rising trot practice on it for my upper leg muscles, and you can lie on your back with it between your knees and pump to work on the inner thighs. There are endless core muscles you can do. I have a really dodgy lower back and the ball supports me so risk is minimized.

 

[teacups]

Those gym balls sound very good, but where do you put it when you're not using it?
Our house is full, and I just can't think where I'd store it.

 

[Joyous70]

I hadn't thought of where to keep it when not in use - top of the wardrobe maybe?

 

[Joyous70]

I do half an hour with a gym ball every morning as part of my gym session before work. They are brilliant! They work your muscles really hard because of the balance element involved so prepare to hurt for a while. I don't ride anymore but still do rising trot practice on it for my upper leg muscles, and you can lie on your back with it between your knees and pump to work on the inner thighs. There are endless core muscles you can do. I have a really dodgy lower back and the ball supports me so risk is minimized.

I don't mind hurting if it improves my balance and posture for my riding. I know they come in different sizes as well, is this relevant?

 

[ironhorse]

Mine is currently deflated and stashed away, because of the storage space issue. They are not too hard to reinflate tho, especially if you've got one of those electric pumps used for airbeds.
One consideration is that you need a house with a level floor to work on, otherwise they roll about too much, plus a certain amount of floor space and enough ceiling height to be able to hold the ball above your head for some warm up exercises - difficult in the converted stable that I live in!
The cheaper ones are a fairly standard size - 60cm I think, which is fine for most people.

 

[Joyous70]

The cheaper ones are a fairly standard size - 60cm I think, which is fine for most people.

Lol most people would be of an average height, i fear i am not, at 5'1"

 

[teacups]

I hadn't thought of where to keep it when not in use - top of the wardrobe maybe?

You have space left on top of the wardrobe?! <g>
Our problem is that the wonderful thick layer of insulation in the loft means it cannot be used for storage.

To use the ball regularly, it needs to be somewhere accessible, and if I had to keep reinflating (and defalting) it I suspect I wouldn't end up using it much. Maybe it could be disguised as a garden ornament, lol.