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Women's Balance Ball
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Gaiam Easy Balance Fitness Ball Kit

Gaiam Total Body Balance Ball Kit - Large

Gaiam Total Body Balance Ball Kit - Medium

Gaiam Total Body Balance Ball Kit - Small

Shop By Category > Women's Fitness Gear > Women's Balance Ball

Choosing the Right Women's Balance Ball for You

Balance balls have been around for years and used in physical therapy offices, Pilates studios and health clubs. You might have heard them called Swiss balls, physio balls and fitness balls as well. No matter the name, they're designed to work your core and balance while strengthening the whole body. However, you can't run out and buy just any ball. Choosing the right women's balance ball and learning out to use it takes a little know-how.

Part of the appeal of balance balls is their ease of use. Inexpensive and easy to blow up and release, this fitness tool travels and stores nicely. Plus, anyone can use one, she just has to know what size is best suited for her body. If you are 4'11" to 5'4", you'll want to get a ball that's 55cm. Those 5'5" to 5'11" are going to need the 65cm ball and those 6' to 6'7" will purchase the 75cm ball. The sizes are important because you want your knees to be at about a 90 degree angle or a bit more when you sit on it. Gaiam makes choosing a woman's balance ball even easier by having a small, medium and large Total Balance Ball Kit. The kit comes with a DVD, resistance workout band and a pump for the ball so you can control the amount of air you put in it.

How much air you put into your balance ball is important. You want to give the ball some give. If you blow it up playground-style taut, you'll have less control when you attempt to work with it. The ball needs to be slightly deflated. You'll still have an unstable base that requires you to work hard, and you'll just be able to maneuver your ball better. Try sitting on the ball with your feet closer together if you'd like to challenge yourself. Too much for you? Walk your feet out a little farther and place them apart for better stability.

The person new to using a woman's balance ball may find simply sitting on it difficult. Start off sitting on the unstable surface for a few minutes at a time. Eventually your abdominals and back muscles, the core stabilization muscles, will strengthen and allow you to sit for longer periods of time. Check with your doctor before beginning an exercise program. This is especially important if you have back issues.

Once you've become comfortable with sitting on the ball, try some basic exercises with it. Push ups on the ball, on your knees or toes, become more challenging, as do bridges with your heels on the ball. Get your quads into the game by doing wall squats with the ball against the wall and your back. There are hundreds of different ways to breathe new life into old exercises with an exercise ball.

It's versatile, space saving and a low investment. A women's balance ball might be the one essential piece of fitness equipment you purchase. Check out the one-stop shopping at ActivewearUSA.com where you'll find balance balls and more, taking the boredom excuse out of your exercise vocabulary once and for all.

Always consult a doctor before starting any exercise program.

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