Science: Why unbalanced training sucks

**Flash Jackson** · Posted On: 11/21/2006 11:56pm

I've never got it. Why does unbalanced training suck? Swiss balls and balance boards, why? I've stayed clear because people told me to. But it is always harder on unbalanced equipment, and they always give this science like "core contraction increases 5000 percent on a big inflatable ball, and 6000 if it's pink!". What's the deal?

**alex** · Posted On: 11/22/2006 12:02am

it doesnt suck. uh, what was your point again?

**RunningDog** · Posted On: 11/22/2006 12:05am

Who gave you the idea that sucked? The same dude who sells you the roids?

**PirateJon** · Posted On: 11/22/2006 6:36am

Crunches on a ball = gold.

heavy bench press on a ball = stupid.

**RunningDog** · Posted On: 11/22/2006 2:42pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTs6nP4t2yw

**alex** · Posted On: 11/22/2006 3:11pm

my lab tutor for one of my sportsci papers can stand on one of those things with one leg. i was impressed. not as awesome as that muscle freak kid that can stand on a basketball with one leg and put the other straight up in the air though

**RunningDog** · Posted On: 11/22/2006 3:22pm

Originally Posted by Alex

my lab tutor for one of my sportsci papers can stand on one of those things with one leg. i was impressed. not as awesome as that muscle freak kid that can stand on a basketball with one leg and put the other straight up in the air though

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLVJZifBEs8

**LI GUY 1** · Posted On: 11/22/2006 5:12pm

Originally Posted by PirateJon

Crunches on a ball = gold.

heavy bench press on a ball = stupid.

Actually, dont the West Side Barbell Club powerlifters do and advocate those(with their program)? Could swear Lou Simmons used these with Dumb Bells though.

**SuperGuido** · Posted On: 11/22/2006 6:38pm

The idea behind "Balanced" training is to engage as many muscles as possible when doing an exercise.

The more muscles used, the better overall strength you'll develop, and the more "stability muscles" you'll strengthen.

These "stability muscles" are instrumental to keeping your core strong, and preventing stupid injuries where your body is torqued in different positions that you've trained.

**Bang!** · Posted On: 11/22/2006 7:05pm

The use of instability in training has been grossly overstated by some people. It's one of those trends that you see in personal training, because a lot of PTs feel compelled to introduce a lot of novelty and change into programs.

That being said, it's far too easy to oversimplify and say that instability is bullshit, and good for nothing; that sentiment is not accurate.

DB presses on a stability ball are not bad at all -- but before you can understand why, you have to understand the difference between, say, dynamic lifting, recovery lifting and maximal lifting. Am I being vague? Let me put it this way: Not every fucking time.