Pilates ball, stability ball, balance ball – you can call it anything you want. The gym ball is truly an innovation. With a first look, you’d think it’s just an oversized medicine ball that looks more like it belongs in a kid’s play pen rather than a gym. But truth be told, it can be quite beneficial especially if you perform various gym ball exercises.

It is not just some regular beach ball filled with air. It is made from elastic PVC or polyvinyl chloride and can be as big as 85 cm. in diameter. Aside from ab workouts, the gym ball can also be used for weight training, most particularly with regards to balance. It was first called the Swiss ball back in 1963, the year that they first came into existence.

Interestingly they were invented for newborn babies as treatments. Later on, doctors saw that it can also be advantageous for treating patients with neurological issues. What made these balls different from others was that they have stronger elastic coverings that don’t easily get penetrated by any sharp objects. This is done in order to support any kind of weight that may be pressed unto it.

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