Yay, I finally did it! - JP Fitness Forums

Emz · 06-06-2005, 02:40 AM

I'm not sure if this is the right forum, or even if anyone will read this, but I finally reached a goal that has taken me awhile to reach!

I do alot of swiss ball work, mainly to get my core functioning, as it's completely DISfunctional right now. I managed to kneel on the ball really quickly, and so things such as shoulder presses etc. whilst kneeling.

When suggested that I should actually STAND on the ball, well, I wasn't really that impressed. My trainer had fallen from the ball in the past and broken his back, so I wasn't so keen on the idea.

It has taken 6 months to get the confidence to do it, but today I STOOD ON THE SWISS BALL!

My legs were shaking, and I was waiting for my balance to go, but it didn't!

I'm so proud! Goal achieved!

BobTheKillerGoldfish · 06-06-2005, 04:23 AM

You go Girl!

Seriously, we all know and love how great it is to hit a target, especially the ones that take the longest (which I'm convinced are all of them!)

Keep it up and set your next goal now.

Irishdazza · 06-06-2005, 05:37 AM

Impressive, well done!

Now...squats?

Mahler · 06-06-2005, 08:19 AM

Way to go my friend. I remember the first time I did it. A real challenge to your sense of balance.

In Fitness & Friendship,
Mahler

OldGuy · 06-06-2005, 11:02 AM

Don't try this.

Jimbo · 06-06-2005, 11:05 AM

I watched JP squat on a swiss ball the other day. We were just standing around chatting and the swiss ball was just setting there next to us and JP just does this stand and squat...we were impressed...he was just...fidgeting...just doing to be doing while talking...sheesh. JP does more while fidgeting than I do concentrating. Anyway..not sure what that had to do with hitting your goal...but it looked difficult to me when he did it. So hats off to you!!!

Jimbo · 06-06-2005, 11:08 AM

OG - LOL! My post hit the same time as yours. I didn't even see your post till after mine. Too funny. JP! Man that looks crazy! Wow LOL

Emz · 06-06-2005, 05:30 PM

Yep my legs were wobbling like crazy trying to go from the crouch to the stand- but waheey- the feeling of achievement was awesome!

Oh my gosh- the squatting on the ball thing is crazy. My wrestling coach and trainer did that infront of me one day, doing a full squat with the barbell on his back- absolutely mad.

That's one thing I'm NOT going to try!

diamondpete · 06-06-2005, 10:52 PM

Congrats. That is a bit scary. But after reading your post, and seeing JP on the ball so many times of late, I think I will give it a go.

Perhaps a silly question, but what is the best way to stand on a swiss ball? (I was thinking of positioning it by the power rack and balanncing my self that way, but it seems like a cheat. Is there a swiss ball mounting technique?

JP, I won't be ready for squats for a while, but could you tell me your swiss ball supplier? I am having a hard time to get a pair of shorts to match my swiss ball. I usually wear old ratty cut off sweats, but having seen your pics sop often, I must really get a pair of fushia shorts and a matching swiss ball.

Thanks and congrats again Emz

peter

TrainingGirl · 06-06-2005, 11:04 PM

Congratulations Emz...that is a great accomplishment. I don't know when I will be brave enough to try that...I am pretty clumsy...I think everyone at the gym would just be watching and waiting for a good laugh. (yes, that was me at the gym a few weeks ago bonking my head on the mirror as i leaned too close to it to pick up my 30lb db's...lol!)
JP...all I can say is WOW!

Emz · 06-07-2005, 12:25 AM

Oh give it a go

TrainingGirl- All my colleagues at the gym call me "Un-co" so if I can do it, I think anyone can!

First step should be kneeling, then try to crouch, then stand. I think the key to it is getting your nervous system working well so that it's not a complete shock to your system.

I heard it's best to try it in a big room, preferably with padded floors

If you hold onto something, apparently you get used to that balance, and so when you come to doing it away from something secure- it's almost impossible, or will cause an accident? Apparently the key is also to always go with the ball, so learn how to fall safely

(You will- but that's all part of it!

Peter, we have Paul Check Duraballs at our gym, I'm not sure who JP uses- but we have an awesome purple one at the gym

chris_f · 06-07-2005, 12:35 AM

Not to rain on your parade, but isn't SB work pretty useless in terms of functional carry over? Wouldn't your core receive a much better work out from doing squats, deadlifts and the like, even if it mean starting off with really low weights?

And on a side-note, where in NZ are you from? I was down there about 6 or 7 months ago, and I LOVE your country!!!

diamondpete · 06-07-2005, 03:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by sharkbait:
Not to rain on your parade, but isn't SB work pretty useless in terms of functional carry over? Wouldn't your core receive a much better work out from doing squats, deadlifts and the like, even if it mean starting off with really low weights?

For me, it just looks like fun. Not a trainning goal but a fun challenge. I think that you definitely need a good core (which you could get in the usual way) and some balance (which in my opinion, you either got or you don't: can't teach grace baby)

I think that when I finally stand on one like Emz, I will post because it: hay I got balance, grace, a good core, and some guts for sticking it out.

Good job, Emz

Peter

Emz · 06-07-2005, 05:31 AM

Sharkbait: I have little or no core stability right now, and if I even attempted something free weight I could be at risk of really doing damage to my back. I have a dodgy lumbar due to a fall off a horse a year ago, and doing things like squats- even with the right technique, caused alot of problems- simply because I had no core stability.

Lately I've been doing almost complete swiss ball work for rehabilitation and activation, which seems to be working better now- and soon I may go back to free weights and the like. The swiss ball takes away the stability, and doesn't just work the superficial muscles so to speak, as your neuro-system has to work together with all the major and minor muscles- a survival mechanism so to speak!

But hey, everyone is certainly entitled to train how they like, if that gets results for them [img]smile.gif[/img] I'm not really one to preach, just giving you the answer- so please, please no debating! If free weights and the like work for you, then that is awesome! I'm just so proud that I managed to finally do this- it's like trying to stand on a balloon that wants to race out from underneath you any chance that you give it- losing your balance is not an option

Anyway, I'm from Canterbury, near the city of Christchurch, near the Southern Alps- so it's sort of LOTR territory around here! Where did you manage to get to?

Terry Monk · 06-08-2005, 09:54 PM

Very interesting. In all my time working out and reading everything I can get my hands on this is the first time I've heard of standing and squating on one. I may have to give this a try.
That's why I'm here, learning something new everyday. Thanks all, and congrats on hitting your goal. Nothing feels quite so good.

hard_rox · 06-09-2005, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by gymrat:
Very interesting. In all my time working out and reading everything I can get my hands on this is the first time I've heard of standing and squating on one. I may have to give this a try.

just don't get up on the ball too fast. [img]tongue.gif[/img]

Mahler · 06-09-2005, 11:08 AM

That guy needs to do a lot more than jump on a ball. LOL

Mahler

Chris Correia · 06-09-2005, 11:09 AM

I could be wrong, but I believe standing on the ball is a bit of a novelty thing. Not really of great functional value. Certainly challenging to learn and do, but training time can probably be much better spent.

Terry Monk · 06-09-2005, 10:47 PM

All good things to consider. Thanks guys. I'll try not to stand up quite too fast! ha!