Is it worth investing in a stability ball?

[renupai]

Dear Cathe,
I see that your newer videoes make use of the stability ball for the strength training videos.
Since i an am a great believer in the efficacy of your workouts I know you would not use a stability ball unless it really worked.
Do you think it is worth investing in a stability ball?
I live in India and I do not think I can get one here. Reebok may be selling it in India but I am not too sure.
My friends in the USA do not mind bringing me the dvds. But bringing a stability ball and pump may not appeal to them. Is it bulky in the deflated state? Will a person be able to bring it easily to India in a suitcase?
I am looking forward to more advanced level workouts from you along the lines of 'slow and heavy ' or 'pure strength' or rhythmic step or step blast or MIC.
I see that one of your workout parters Jai is a woman of Indian origin and that she has given you a sacred black thread to wear. Tell her that I send her special greetings from India.
Lots of luv and thanks again for helping me get fit and healthy.
Renu Pai

 

[lesliemarie]

I hesitated so long on a stability ball thinking I didn't need and now I gave in and bought me one and I love it now that I know how to do it without looking like a circus act LOL. I still can't do no pike on it though affraid I might fall and break my neak LOL that I still have to master

 

[emy]

The box mine came in was not too bulky. So it could definitely fit in a suitcase! I recommend getting one.

For instance, the floor work in Pyramid Lower Body where you put one leg on the ball and lift the other straight up feels totally different than if you were to use a step instead. I know because I used a step for this exercise until I recently purchased a stability ball and I was so sore the next day. Balancing one leg on the ball works so many more muscles.

The planks and pikes Cathe does on the ball are also very challenging and without the ball you can't really replicate the exercise. These have really helped to strengthen my core in ways crunches haven't been able to!

 

[pace1987]

Hi Renu and welcome. I am not Cathe but the ball does come in a box about the size of maybe a large cereal box just to give you an idea. I think it should fit in your friends luggage depending how much clothes and other stuff that your friend is bringing. The one that I got did not come with a pump and I got it at http://www.power-systems.com/closeup.asp?cid=29&pid=839&offset=0. I just use my air pump that I already have. That is the one that Cathe is using in the Body Blast Series. It is burst resistant which is good for weight training. Well have fun when you get your video and hopefully the stability ball. I think with the ball it really challenges your muscles more in a different way and it is fun

 

[Joannafit]

the stability ball deflated and pump is a smaller box.....i LOVE my stab. ball....makes a huge difference!!!