Medicine Balls Australia | Medicine Ball Exercises and Safety

/in /by

What is a Medicine Ball

A medicine ball is a weighted ball used for exercises to improve strength, fitness, and coordination. It is also used for rehabilitation for sportsmen to recover from injuries. Medicine ball is also called exercise ball, a med ball, or a fitness ball but it should not be confused with the inflated exercise ball which comes larger in size.

Medicine ball can be made of nylon, leather, vinyl, polyurethane, rubber, and other materials. Its standard diameter is 14 inches, but other sizes are also available.

Heavymed Medicine Ball

History of Medicine Ball:

The origin of the modern medicine ball dates back 3,000 years ago when Persian wrestlers are trained with bladders that were filled with sand. In the time of ancient Greece, the famous Hippocrates stuffed animal skins with sand to create medicine balls. His patients were ordered to throw the balls back and forth as part of his rehabilitation therapy. In the 19th century, medicine ball was used for promoting health and it became one of the “4 Horsemen of Fitness” which includes the Indian club, dumbbell, and the wand.

Why use a Medicine Ball?

Medicine balls can be effective in improving core strength and muscular power most especially in the chest, arms and legs. Injured athletes use medicine ball training to recover their former strength and fitness. Medicine balls are also used for professional boxers to build strength in their abdominal muscles. Some schools also use medicine balls as fitness aids for students.

How to select a Medicine Ball:

Medicine balls have variety of sizes and weights ranging from a few inches in diameter (baseball-sized) to larger than a basketball and from 1 to 50 pounds and even heavier for athletes training for power. Most medicine balls are round, but there are also with built-in handles to improve gripping and in shapes such as footballs for sport-specific training. Smaller and lighter balls should be used for training speed. Heavier medicine balls would be utilized for strength-speed and power training.

Here are some helpful tips to consider in selecting a medicine ball:

  • Consider whether the ball will be used for throwing, catching or added resistance.
  • The ball must be heavy enough to slow the motion visibly but not so heavy that control and accuracy are lessened.
  • If the exercises require bouncing the ball, a rubber ball should be selected. If the ball will be used for throwing and catching, a leather or nylon ball may be preferred.
  • The size and shape of the medicine ball will vary depending on the exercise being performed.

Some Medicine Ball Exercises and Safety:

Some of the common medicine ball exercises include squats, single-leg V-ups, lunges, lunge crossovers, slams, crunches, oblique twists, reverse curls, overhead lateral flexion, standing Russian twists, kneel to push ups, diagonal chops, figure eights, hammer throws, sit-up passes, front lateral raises and two-arm wall passes .

Athletes should perform medicine ball exercises with the right techniques so that they can get the best results and prevent injuries. One should warm up thoroughly before starting the exercise with medicine balls. One should also choose a ball with the right weight as it will ensure that the exercises will be performed smoothly.

If you are interested to buy a medicine ball online, click here: Buy Medicine Ball

Pregnancy Ball

/in /by

What is a pregnancy ball?

A pregnancy ball is a standard physiotherapy ball generally used by pregnant women. It is a large vinyl ball about 65cm or 75cm in height when inflated with air. Some pregnancy balls are made of non-slip surface so that they won’t slide on the floor easily. They are also made of special non-burst material that deflates slowly when punctured rather than rapturing suddenly.

The pregnant woman’s height must be considered in choosing for the pregnancy exercise ball size. The most ideal is the knee should be lower than the hips when sitting on the ball. There is no worry about the weight as pregnancy balls should be able to support no matter what the pregnant woman’s size is. Good quality pregnancy balls are tested to stand up to 300kgs.

 

pregnancy ball, Birthing Ball 75cm

How to use the pregnancy ball during pregnancy:

Pregnant women using this ball may need a support person to keep them steady while sitting. This is mostly advised to those using the ball for the first time. Use the ball on a carpet rather than a smooth floor surface to give more stability. It is better to go barefoot rather than wear shoes or socks. Or you can choose non-slip ones instead.

Your feet must be flat on the floor and about 60cm apart to get good balance. Place one hand on the ball first and then slowly lower yourself to sit on it.

Once you are comfortable, you can try to rock your pelvis side to side and back to front. You can add a little bounce once you feel more secure. Always hold on to whoever or whichever is near you if you feel unsteady while you slowly sway and bounce.

Benefits of Pregnancy Ball:

Pregnancy ball is considered very useful during pregnancy, labor, and birth. As pregnancy progress, sitting comfortably is almost impossible to attain. As the belly grows, back pain usually follows. The normal chairs or even comfortable couches don’t seem to provide comfort anymore. The pregnancy ball however molds to the pregnant woman’s ever changing shape, thus it provides comfort and at the same time it is firm enough to provide support.

Other benefits of pregnancy ball include:

  • Maintaining good posture during pregnancy.
  • Strengthens abdominal muscles and lower back.
  • It helps increase blood flow to the uterus, placenta and the growing baby.
  • Increases pelvic diameter thus helps the baby find a great position for birth.

Pregnancy Ball Photo

pregnancy ball

 

If you are interested to get one, you can buy it from this link: Buy Pregnancy ball

 

Exercise Ball

/in /by

An exercise ball is an elastic, bouncy ball that usually measures 14 to 34 inches or 35-85 centimeters in diameter with other sizes available for other uses. This inflatable exercise ball is otherwise known as a Swiss ball, Swiss exercise ball, physioball, or stability ball.

Exercise Balls

Exercise balls are used in different exercise routines. They can also be used for rehabilitative applications. In fact, these balls originated from being kids’ toys that were later used for neurological rehabilitative purposes. In the following years, exercise balls were used by athletes. Today, they are used by fitness enthusiasts, seeing the numerous benefits and applications.

Benefits of exercise balls for your routine

The main benefit of using an exercise ball with your regular routine is that it strengthens your core muscles as you try to keep your balance with the ball. Your abdominal and back muscles are particularly benefited when using an exercise ball.

Apart from this wonderful benefit, here are other reasons why using a ball for exercise is great for you:

  • It involves more muscles in your exercise without the need to increase the total load in your routine
  • It is an inexpensive way to exercise. Even though some exercise ball routines may require you to use other equipment, such as the workout bench or dumbells, you can exercise with your exercise ball alone.
  • Exercise ball is a very handy equipment that you can use on your standing, sitting, and lying exercise routines.
  • Aside from strengthening core muscles, using an exercise ball helps develop balance, flexibitliy, mobility among your joints, improving your reaction time, and righting your reflexes.
  • Exercise ball also helps develop proper posture and helps prevent neck, shoulder, and back pain.
  • Using the exercise ball as a chair can even help burn calories.

Routines you can do with exercise balls

There are there are so many forms of exercise you can do with an exercise ball. Among the popular routines include ball push-ups, squats, squat and reach, curl-ups, sit-ups, dumbbell press, arm-leg extension, triceps extension, leg curl, plank, and backbend stretch.

Buying the right exercise ball size

The best exercise ball is the one that is the right size for you. This will help make your exercise ball routines more effective and efficient.

You can try either of the following ways to buy exercise ball:

  • Sit on the ball with your feet flat on the floor. When your hips and your knees form a right angle (90 degree angle), that is the right exercise ball size for you.
  • You can also match the exercise ball size with your height. If you are tall, a big exercise ball would fit you. If you are rather short, then a small exercise ball would be great for you.

You can use this ball size guide:

  • Under 5’ tall = 55cm exercise ball
  • 5’-5’7” = 65 cm exercise ball
  • 5’8”-6’2” = 75 cm exercise ball
  • Over 6’2” = 85 cm exercise ball

If you are confused on which size to get, it is better to choose a large exercise ball.

Other things to remember when using an exercise ball

  • Consult your doctor before using an exercise ball;
  • Aside from choosing the right exercise ball size, be sure to use one that is properly inflated;
  • Wear appropriate exercise attire, such as the right shoes to help you grip the floor and the right clothes to manage your sweat;
  • Use workout mat underneath to give the exercise ball a better grasp when you are trying to balance; and
  • Maintain proper posture during your exercises by either keeping your back straight or by avoiding locked knees.

Hippity Hop Balls and Rody Ride On Horse

/in /by

Many toys today are focused on creating fun but are not aimed at developing other skills that help children grow in a more healthy way. Especially now that technology has taken over physical fun, it is also great to choose toys that promote active play without losing all the fun.

When it comes to physical activity and fun, bouncy toys with handles, such as Rody Ride on Horse and Hippity Hop Balls are great choices. These bouncy toys give loads of excitement to growing kids and help them develop balancing and motor skills without them being aware of it.

While these Rody horse and hopper balls promote similar skills, they somehow vary in other characteristics. Let us take a look at the similarities and differences of these bouncy toys to compare and see which one is better for your growing kids.

 

hippity hop ride-on horse

 

Similarities:

Both toys can be used in bouncing for height and distance;
The rody horse and the hippity hop toys both encourage exercise and physical activity, creativity, and fun;
The bouncy toys develop balance and coordination skills;
Both toys can help kids develop better running and jumping abilities;
They can be used by therapists of autistic children or those with ADHD to develop gross motor skills, as well as to stimulate kids before commencing other forms of therapy, such as speech therapy;
Both the Hippity hop ride on horse are great for use during kiddie parties and gatherings;
The bouncy horse and the Hippity hop ball with handle help kids grip easily to gain balance and control;
The Rod bouncy horse and the hippity hops can both be easily washed with soap and water;

Differences:

  • One clear difference between the two bouncy toys is that the Rody bouncing horse is shaped that of a horse with easy-to-hold ears and comes in a glossy sheen with unique colors, which is more fun to look at compared to a plain hopping ball with handle;
  • The Rody bouncy horse is also made of soft yet durable latex and phthalate-free vinyl;
  • The Rody horse is great for kids aged 2-4 years old and can accommodate up to 100 lbs while the hippity hop balls are great for both kids and adult;
  • The Rody ride on horse can be inflated to suit changes in size and weight of children as they grow while the bounce ball with handle comes in a fixed size for specific weight range; and
  • Unlike the jumping bouncy ball which is for plain riding and bouncing, the Rody ride on horse can also be used for cuddling and playing with just like other soft cuddly toys.

While both the Rody Horse and Hippity hop kids are great for play, physical activity, and therapy, the Rody Ride on Horse can offer better fun and enjoyment to kids with its unique shape, great colors, and versatility.