Swiss ball

Swiss balls — also known as exercise balls, gym balls, sports balls, fit balls, therapy balls or body balls — are used in physical therapy and exercise. They are elastic rubber balls with a diameter of usually 55 to 85 cm (22 to 34 inches).

Related Topics:
Physical therapy - Exercise

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A primary benefit of exercising with an exercise ball versus floor exercises is that the body responds to the instability of the ball to keep balanced on the exercise ball, and over time the muscles used to keep in balance on the Swiss ball become stronger. Most frequently, it is the core body muscles - the abdominal muscles and back muscles - that are the focus of exercise ball fitness programs.

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Using an exercise ball as part of a fitness program can include a wide range of difficulty levels, each requiring support from the back and stomach muscles that help firm up the trunk muscles in the body. Exercise balls are commonly used as part of a physical therapy program for individuals with low back pain.

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Examples of uses of the exercise ball include:

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