Thursday, February 23, 2012

Pushups With Pilates Balls – Vital Things You Should Know

January 27, 2012 by  
Filed under Exercise

Push ups are one of the most convenient and effective bodyweight exercises around. It’s convenient because they can be done anytime, anywhere, without the need for special equipment or gym membership. It is effective because when they are done regularly, they give you that lean and healthy look.

The reason why push ups are so effective is that it exercises a lot of the body’s core muscles. The chest and the abs are given the workout it needs while making the heart and lung muscles more powerful as well. The hands, triceps, biceps, and forearms are also toned as more power is given to the muscles of the upper and lower backs. Do this exercise regularly and you’ll find yourself having stronger and more stable glutes, hamstrings, quads, calves, and feet.

If you are already doing regular push ups and find them less challenging, perhaps it’s high time to switch to higher gear and intensify your efforts. You can now try doing push ups using a Pilates ball. It takes your strength training to a deeper level since you have to go as far down as possible with your hands on the ball without collapsing. Those who are into gymnastics or tennis will benefit the most from this exercise since it strengthens the shoulder muscles even more.

All you need to get started is a Pilates ball (which roughly costs around $35-$45) and a yoga mat, which ensures that you will not slip, as you do this exercise. Follow the steps that follow to do push ups with exercise or Pilates balls.

Spread the yoga mat on the floor and place the small Pilates balls under each hand. Your starting set up should be such that your hands are below your shoulders directly and each palm is enclosing each Pilates ball. Ensure that your body and your legs are in a straight line.

Next, inhale and bend your elbows as you keep the muscles of your core engaged. Go as low as you can without touching the mat. Stay down for about two seconds before you exhale and return to the starting position.

Do one set of ten repetitions each. Rest a bit and do another set. You can also try staying down for 10 to 20 seconds if you are interested in really giving your chest an intense workout. This will be a bit painful during and after but it tones your torso like no other exercise can.

Do not use momentum in your favor just to be able to do as many repetitions. Remember that in bodyweight workouts, it’s the execution that matters, not how fast or how many you can do in a given period of time. Aim for perfect execution so you can gain the most in any exercise.

Before attempting Pilates ball push ups, make sure that you are already an expert in standards push ups. Do it gradually since pacing is crucial. Don’t push yourself to do 10 if you can only do 5. If you lead your body slowly, you are not going to injure yourself while doing this particular workout.

Also, in case you’re interested, one thing that I’ve been adding into my training workouts are the TRX training straps, it’s a great system. Last but not least, don’t forget to look at these TRX Rip Trainer reviews.

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