Affordable Equipment Essential for Pilates: Recommendation from a Fitness Expert
A Pilates ball is an affordable, versatile piece of equipment that can take your Pilates workouts to the next level, all for less than $10! Here's how:
- Ramp Up The Challenge: The Pilates ball adds an extra element to your workouts, making them more challenging and engaging.
Pilates instructor Jacinta Brown, renowned for her Core and Full-body exercises, recently shared a 20-minute Pilates ball routine. This workout focuses on strengthening, toning and improving flexibility and stability of the entire body. In Jacinta’s own words, these exercises are her " Kings and Queens of Pilates ball workouts."
Using the Pilates Ball
All you'll need is a Pilates ball and an exercise mat (extra cushioning, anyone?). I recommend this BetterMe Pilates ball to get you started.
Jacinta guides you through the workout in real-time, making it suitable for both beginners and seasoned Pilates enthusiasts.
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My Impressions - Re-discovering the Pilates Ball
I've used Pilates balls in studio classes before, but doing this routine reminded me of why I love using this tool. Here are some key benefits:
- Maintains proper form: Holding the ball during exercises offers instant feedback on your position and alignment; slipping means you need to adjust your stance and alignment.
- Boosts Core Engagement: To keep the ball stable, your core muscles will work hard, doubling the effectiveness of each move.
- Improves Stability and Balance: Balancing on the ball during push-ups forces the stabilizing muscles–like the rotator cuff–to engage and work harder, strengthening and protecting your shoulders.
- Expands Range of Motion: Using the ball during push-ups increases your range of motion, ensuring you target more muscles compared to a standard push-up.
- Provides Additional Support: In certain positions, the Pilates ball can provide extra support for comfort, like when lying face down and propping your chest on the ball for back-strengthening exercises.
Read More
For further insights into core and full-body workouts with a Pilates ball, check out Jacinta Brown's "Posture Tonic" series. Although specific exercises aren't detailed in the search results, she focuses on core strength, glute and hamstring toning, and improved posture. Some effective exercises you might encounter include plank with leg lifts on the ball, Pilates ball crunches, Russian twists, hamstring curls, and wall squats with the ball. Her YouTube channel offers detailed workouts and schedules for your convenience[1][3].
- The Pilates ball, as demonstrated by Jacinta Brown's 20-minute routine, not only improves flexibility and stability of the entire body but also adds a science-backed challenge to traditional Pilates workouts, enhancing their effectiveness.
- By using a Pilates ball in health-and-wellness routines, one can experience benefits such as boosted core engagement, improved stability and balance, expanded range of motion, and added support that aligns with the principles of fitness-and-exercise for a more well-rounded and engaging fitness experience.
