All About Weighted Pilates Toning Balls

A good pilates workout can be made more challenging and effective with the right accessory. Weighted exercise balls can be a great compliment to any pilates workout. While pilates programs are focused on development of the core and breathing control, as one progresses in a pilates program the addition of a weighted exercise ball can challenge the user. They are designed to allow the user some additional challenge without adding too much weight to take away from the basic focus on the core.

The weighted exercise balls, also called toning balls, take the place of a smart bell as a resistance weight. While the smart bell is normally only hand held, this is not the case for the weighted exercise balls. Because of their unique design, these weighted exercise balls offer several different usage options. These include being held in hand and used as a traditional weight. The weights can also he balanced on the body to enhance a pilates position, which is not something that can be done with a smart bell. The balancing of the weight challenges one to use core muscles to keep the weight in place. Another way this weight can be used is to simply place it on the body for extra resistance.

While a smart bell is made of hard materials and a bell shape that requires a solid, tight grip at all times, the weighted exercise ball size allows the user to use less of a tension tight grip which takes the focus back to the core development. The soft sides of the ball also add to this better hold as one is not holding a solid, inflexible metal mass. Instead the balls are pliable and allow for an individualized hold.

Because of their ball shaped design and size, weighted exercise balls are also called weighted softballs. With the added weights and the design they are sometimes compared to small medicine balls as well. The ball design not only adds the the utility of the equipment but also come in a variety of sizes. They range in size from 1 pound to 7 pounds, which means one can purchase multiple weights for the different uses as needed. While they can be purchased in several weights, the size remains a constant at about 7.5 inches around.

While the use of a smart bell or other weights is often focused on using the biggest weight possible or pushing for the maximum muscle bulk, in order to maintain the focus on core exercises and fluid movement this is not always the case for the pilates weighted balls. These balls come in lower weights to offer just the right amount of added resistance without breaking the smooth, control of the pilates routine. This will help one keep the body in proper alignment as well. The ball shaped design is a great compliment to the pilates work out. This design also allows the toning ball to be used for other exercises beyond a pilates routine so their uses are endless.

Beyond the many uses of the weighted exercise balls, these items are also much more user friendly when compared to the standard smart bell. Instead of being a heavy, solid piece of metal like the smart bell, this ball is filled with sand or water with a soft outside. In the event is is dropped the ball is less likely to cause sever injury since it is not just a bell shaped piece of metal. The toning balls are also easier to transport and store as one can purchase storage stacking items or the likes.

The design of the toning balls offer a wide range of uses, are mush more user friendly than a traditional weight system, offer a personal grip that a smart bell can not and usually easier to store than the standard weights. The balls also add to the overall focus on the body and positive exercise as they come in a variety of colors. One can not only choose the weight of the ball based on need, she can also have fun with coordinating the colors with other exercise accessories like mats, clothing or even home gym decoration. The colorful toning balls go well beyond the sterile, cold dumb bells often seen at the standard work out center as they are not metal. Unlike the bulky, odd shaped smart bell, the toning balls are also much more portable so they are easy to take between home, work and the pilates studio as needed.