Written by marylyn | Posted in Exercise |

Weight Benches or Other Alternatives?

Although it may seem strange for you at the beginning, benches are not strictly necessary for most exercises you typically perform on them.

First of all, we don’t need any kind of bench equipment to exercise. The fact that we use them has to do more with our… laziness (yes!) than other factors. But let’s say that you really want a kind of support for your seated or laying positions. The alternative for weight benches are… Swiss balls. Yes: balls.

We are so accustomed to the pictures with bodybuilders exercising on benches or multigyms and as a result we sometimes miss the point. Many people think in an erroneous way: the more money I spend for more the expensive home gym machines, the more sophisticated exercises I’ll be able to perform. Wrong! If you think like that you are a typical victim of modern advertising techniques. They have you on toast.

Why Swiss ball? (If you don’t know what this is then check Wikipedia). The main reason is that any kind of exercise you perform you are obliged, by the instability of the ball, to keep your balance. You have to keep your abdomen and back muscles tense and keep your mind awake to remain balanced. Otherwise, you finish on the floor.

I’ve seen many men thinking “this is a girlish toy”. Wrong! Over time, abdomen and back muscles become stronger. The effect is a little bit similar to that which is experienced by yoga addicts. Yoga – is it only about stretching, balance, and respiration? If so, then why are all yoga masters such strong men or women? (Without using ANY weight, bench or anything external besides their own bodies). Because they have practiced balance and use their body as a weight. How much do they spend on gym machines and fitness equipment over the years? Zero.

Ok, I’m exaggerating. There are also good reasons to use weight benches. You know what am I talking about. So try to do the same exercise, let’s say chest workout with dumbbells, without any bench, laying on the floor, then on a Swiss ball, then on a weight bench.

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