Expert Recommendation for Core Exercise Equipment
Core Exercise Equipment, How To Use For Maximum Effect.
The Swiss Ball
The Swiss Ball is a great piece of core exercise equipment. It is most comonly used for abdominal crunches
and this is how you will see it being used in most gyms. Another good exercise for the core muscles with a Swiss ball is the Russian twist. This
exercise requires you to lie on the ball with your shoulder blades touching the ball and your hips lifted off the ball, then twist your shoulders
until they are perpendicular to the floor and then twist to the other side.
The Medicine Ball
Medicine balls are about the size of a volleyball and are sold in weights of 8lb 10lb and 12lb. They can be
very effective as core exercise equipment and are often used for training sports that require explosive power like boxing. The concentrated
weight of a medicine ball is what makes it so effective. A great core exercise using a medicine ball it to use it for push ups. How you do this
is to place the medicine ball under one arm and place something smaller under the other arm so you have an imbalance. Do ten push ups like this
and then swap to the other arm, this forces your core to balance your body.
The Pilates Mat
The Pilates mat can be used for many core flexibility and strength exercises. A nice simple one to start of
with is the flutter kick. This involves lying on your mat with our legs perpendicular to the floor then, slowly lower one leg to about 45
degrees, return to the start position and repeat with the other leg. Another exercise you can do is to point your legs up to the ceiling and move
them in a circular motion for ten seconds, then stop and reverse the motion.
Resistance Bands
Resistance Bands are a great warm up tool and the great news is they are rather cheap and can provide
a rather intense workout. The use of resistance bands will exercise your core with ease. Bands are best used to stretch before a workout.
The Humble Dumbbell
Everyone knows what a dumbbell is but few people realise that they can be used for some great core
exercises. A great way to use dumbbells is to use them to intensify push-ups. For example, instead of doing generic push-ups, use the dumbbell as
your hand supports. Once you have completed a rep lift the the dumbbell on one side to the ceiling while holding your balance.
The Jump Rope
When used creatively the jump rope can be a great exercise to target the core muscles and it comes with the
added benefit that you can structure your entire workout around the jump rope.
Expert Recommendation for Core Exercise Equipment
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