Swiss Ball Exercises + Running = Total Fitness!

A good fitness program consists of a combination of aerobics and strength training. One excellent way to add both to your routine is running for aerobics and swiss ball exercises for strength.

Really. Running is definitely one of the best aerobic activities you can do if you are physically able to. Run for 30 minutes or more 4 times a week and you will lose weight and become very fit but . . .

You need to add some strength training to your routine. Firm up the muscles and strengthen the body. And muscle burns fat.

The swiss ball, also called the stability ball, allows you to not only develop
strength, but to develop the all important core muscles of your body. Here's just one of the many different exercises you will find in my swiss ball exercise package found at my website . . . TudeFitness.com

 

Prone Pull Ins on Ball

Start Position: Roll out on the ball so that your shins are on the ball and you are supported by your hands in a table top position.
Pull the ball using your feet towards your chest. While doing this bend your elbows in a pushup fashion.
Return to starting position.

Try it and see if you don't feel it in your upper body and also in the abdominal area.

The swiss ball will allow you to get more out of your exercise and get a better, more complete workout in less time.

Running During Your Vacation

I decided to write this while on vacation. My wife and I are visiting her family in California. She is on kidney dialysis 3 times a week so we had to set up her appointments while here and I decided that would be the time to get my exercise in.

It's easy to forget to exercise when you go on vacation and it's understandable. But if you are going to be gone for a week or two, that's a lot of time to not exercise.

Whether you walk or run for your aerobic portion, it's really a treat to do so when you're visiting a new location. Different routes; different views.

I enjoy seeing the mountains in the background while here - something we don't have in Ohio. In fact, today I just did a hill that is at almost a 45 degree incline and is probably about 1/2 mile long. What a great view at the top - once I gave myself a small breather to recover. :-)

Took another run in the country. Took different routes each time for a different view.

Even when we went to Niagara Falls for a 3-day stay, I got up while my wife and daughter slept in the morning and went for one of my most enjoyable runs ever! Came back as they were waking up - showered and went to breakfast.

Try it the next time you vacation anywhere. All you need is your running shoes!

Want To Know if a Swiss Ball Will Work For You?

Swiss ball exercises will work for you and here's a way to prove it.

Go to a sporting goods store or a friend's house where you can try the swiss ball. You should have a friend with you as a spotter since this will be the first time you try the ball . . . . . don't want you to fall off.

Now get into the crunch position. You will lay back on the ball with your lower back touching the ball. Feet are flat on the floor and your legs are pretty much parallel to the floor.

Slowly do a crunch. Feel the difference?!

You are hitting more of the muscles at one time in your core region and when you do 10 of these slowly, I think you are going to immediately want to add swiss ball exercises to your workout routine.

The next day try to hold your stomach in and you will feel where your muscles in the abs definitely got a good workout.

Swiss Ball Exercises Strengthen the Body's Core

Exercises on the swiss ball are so effective, you'll be hearing more and more about it from me in future blogs and on my website.

Developing the body's core muscles; the area around your trunk and pelvis; is one of the most important things you can do to improve your body. A weak core is the reason behind much lower back pain.

The best exercises for your core are those that get your whole system working together at the same time. This is where exercises on the swiss ball are so effective.

While you do one exercise, your body is constantly balancing itself on the ball and all your core muscles are coming into play.

Doing the crunch for abs does not effectively do the job for you. In fact, overdeveloping one set of muscles in your abs can actually weaken the core.

I really believe the swiss ball should be incorporated into everyone's exercise routine. Combine the proper swiss ball exercises with your aerobic exercise and you will feel better and look better and have far less pain!

I will give you some excellent swiss ball exercise tips in future blogs, so make sure you bookmark this.