Stablizing Balls vs. Strength

Hi,

One of the latest fads in the gym world has been the introduction of stability balls and the training that goes with it. 

Trainees were told that they need to build up their stabilizing muscles which will help them get stronger.  But, is this really true?

Just from a common sense point of view I don't think so.  If you are doing a squat exercise - to use an extreme example - do you think you could use more weight if you were standing on the ground or on a stabilizing ball?  Or even on one of those 1/2 stabilizing platforms?

I think you already know the answer to that one.  I would even bet that most people in the world couldn't even do a squat with only their body weight on a stabilizing ball, let alone with a barbell on their back. 

Okay so that was an extreme example.  Let's use another one.  How about biceps curls?  Could you curl more weight while sitting on a stability ball or while sitting on a bench? 

Again the more stable position wins.  If you are sitting on a bench your body only has to concentrate on moving the weight.  All of its neural and muscle resources are focused on that job. 

Sitting on the stability ball takes most of the neural and muscle resources away from lifting.  Instead it is concentrating on balance. 

So if your goal is to get stronger, then forego the stabilizing balls and other contraptions.

Should you never use them?  I do think they have a part to play in your training.

Yes, you can increase your balance and the stabilizing muscles.  But, don't try to lift heavy weights while doing exercises on a stability ball.  Use light weights and you could even use the exercises as a warm up for your stable exercises.

There is even a way to get the best of both worlds.  More about that in a latter post.

In the meantime, use your stabilizing balls for working on your stability.  Build your strength from a solid platform.

Thanks,

Mike Val
http://www.valshealthsite.com/