How to develop Tech w/ stability ball

[WantFit]

I am newbie of Cathe. I love her workout using stability ball. I am pretty close to advance level. But the stability ball uses the muscle I might have never touch before. I have hard time to control it. I feel frustrate. Everytime it seemed that I spent more time on stabling ball rather than doing any Cathe exercise. Could any of you give my some tips how to start with stability ball?

Thanks

WantFit

 

[Boybert]

Hi Wantfit! You know, it's funny you should ask this, b/c I am just starting out on the stability ball as well. You are definitely right in that half of the practice is learning to stabilize your body enough to do the exercise. I think that in itself is a workout! As others have told me, practice and more practice helps you to advance. Also, if you have a bigger ball and let some of the air out, it makes for a bit more of a stable base. However, don't squish it to the point of negating any benefits of the ball. Hang in there. We can do it!!! I working on mastering those crazy pikes and not falling on my head


"you miss 100% of the shots you never take"

Debbie

 

[saia11]

Some advice that helped me when I was just starting stability ball work was to make sure that my fingers were spread very wide, to increase stability. Also, try spreading your arms a little further apart than simply a straight extension from your shoulder.
Also, are your legs placed correctly on the ball? If you only have your feet/ankle area on the ball it will be much more difficult to maintain balance than if you have more calf/upper calf area on the ball. Play around with the positioning of your feet and see if that helps.
Other than that make sure to keep your head in good alignment (straight out from you neck not lifted up or hanging down) then focus on a single spot on the floor to help with balance.
And as Debbie said, practice, practice, practice!
Mattea

 

[WantFit]

Thanks for your tips, Debbie and Mattea. I will try to practice it more. I never knew that stability ball would work your hamstring to kill stage. I must have pretty strong hamstring. None of those deadlift made me feel sore in my hamstring even I have my weight on 50lbs. But boy, this ball workout (I did the one in PLB), it really, really kill me. I was mushy in 2 days.

I also read the other thread. I have a 65cm ball. I might have to buy 55cm for my height (5'3"). That might help out a little bit.

Thanks

WantFit

 

[saia11]

The right size ball with definitely help you to maintain better form and stability. I know, both PLB and GS Legs Floorwork is full of good pain for the hamstrings, either maintaining stability while trying to raise your but off the floor or working against the resistance of the band. I used to feel the same way about deadlifts that you do and don't know if you have the Hardcores, but the new type of deadlift that Cathe does in GS Legs is super effective! The one where you do the deadlift on the top riser of your step with your toes almost off the edge and instead of starting from the top you lower below your toes, up to your knees and then back below your toes. When Cathe talks about the belly of the hamstring I feel it!
Mattea