Training on a BOSU Ball v.s. Solid Ground
November 25, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Even after the first research (Instability Training: Does It Work?) done by Journal Strength Conditioning Research concluded that there is no difference between muscle activation other than core muscles, people still believe “this half ball” gives them better results.
Our core muscles sustain and provide the base for good lower and upper body movements. Jeffrey Willardson and colleagues from Eastern Illinois University discovered that there is no difference from performing dead lifts, overhead presses, bicep curls and squats on the BOSU balls than it is on solid ground.
How to ‘Effectively’ Perform Exercises
In order to effectively perform the exercises just mentioned above, you have to stabilize your core muscles during whole body, intense weight training. When people exercise on unstable surfaces, the capacity for maximal core muscle contraction reduces.
According to many, BOSU ball training is nothing but a fitness trend! You’re better off ditching the BOSU balls and train on solid ground.
Source: International Journal Sports Physiology Performance, 4: 97-109, 2009
