CrossFit Kingston

The notion that doing crunches and arm curls while positioned on a stability ball (or another unstable object) will develop balance and core stability that transfers well to the real world is ludicrous. Last time we checked, the surfaces we stand on are typically solid and stable. The objects we hold onto while moving through space, however, are more likely to have some form of unstablility to them.

In our minds, functional balance and core stability is best developed by acting as a solid bridge between an object supported by our body and the ground beneath us. A camping trip or cleaning out the garage provides numerous real-world examples of moving unstable objects while traveling over solid surfaces. Think about carrying a canoe overhead or moving a box full of antifreeze bottles.

In the gym, one of the means of both challenging and developing functional balance and core stability is the overhead squat. No amout of moderate weight dumbbell presses performed while standing on an overgrown beach ball can ever compare to performing a deep squat while supporting half of our bodyweight overhead. Indeed, some of our athletes are able to perform overhead squat with more than their bodyweight overhead. We challenge any stability ball advocate to make the same claim.

View original post by CrossFit Toronto

http://www.crossfitto.com/2008/10/26/beach-balls/