When you head back to the gym this year, you might see some strange pieces of equipment, especially if you have been away for a while. Fit balls, balance boards, medicine balls, and foam rollers are making their way onto the gym floor. Before you disregard these new “tools of the trade” and head for your chest press machine, let me give you some reasons to consider adding them to your program.

1. Improvement in Functional Strength.
   Being able to take gains in strength and apply them to your everyday activities is what we call functional strength. For example, let’s look at a seated leg press machine. We know a leg press is great for developing strength in the leg muscles. But what about functional strength? Will it help you pick up a heavy box off the floor? Without proper core strength, your chances of injury increase. Adding ball squats or walking lunges with a medicine ball are great ways to incorporate functional leg strength into your program.



2. Increased Core Stabilization.
   The core includes the lower back, abdomen, hips and upper spine. It is where all movement begins. A core stabilization program improves postural control, ensures appropriate muscular balance, and allows for improvement in functional strength. If your program is primarily machine based, using the fit ball or medicine ball is a great way to add core stabilization training into your program.



3. Postural Awareness.
   Postural awareness is an understanding of where your body is positioned in space and time. Utilizing the fit ball or balance board increases your postural awareness. As your posture and stability improve, so will your ability to perform the exercises.


Be sure to ask for help if you are unsure how to use any of the new exercise pieces that are available. If you decide to purchase any of them for your home gym, the company will usually send a list of exercises along with details on form and technique.

Have a safe and healthy start to your New Year!

Tammy Hischke is a personal trainer and functional fitness assessment coordinator at Cooper Fitness Center. She holds a bachelor of science degree in physical education with an emphasis in corporate wellness from Baylor University. Tammy has a strength and conditioning specialist certification from the National Strength and Conditioning Association and has a certification as a performance enhancement specialist from the National Academy of Sports Medicine.