The Water Ball



By Ross Enamait - Published in 2006





In a past article,
I discussed low-tech options for sandbag construction. The sandbag is
one of the more popular choices for odd object lifting. The awkward
nature of the bag makes it an ideal tool for any combat athlete. As you
lift the bag, the sand will shift from side to side, forcing the
stabilizer muscles to work overtime.

In addition to the sandbag, other popular odd objects (for lifting)
include kegs, logs, rocks, and barrels. If you want to develop real strength, odd object lifts are definitely a nice addition to any routine.


One of the lesser known tools for odd object lifting is a water filled
exercise ball. If you are interested in odd object lifting, this tool
will definitely float
your boat. The water filled exercise ball is one of the most
challenging objects to lift. The water will swoosh back and forth as
you lift and carry the ball. In addition to the total body strength
benefits, you will also develop grip strength as you grab into the
sides of the ball during each exercise.

To bring this odd object to reality, you first need to find a sturdy
exercise ball. Choose a ball that is marketed as an "anti-burst" ball.
A 65cm ball is a good size for lifting.

Rather than filling the ball with air, you will use water. Most balls come with an air pump which includes a small nozzle. The nozzle fits into the ball (to pump the air). You can attach this small nozzle to a water spout to fill the ball with water. In the illustration, you can see how I have attached the nozzle (white) to the yellow spout. You will run a hose directly into the spout. It is best to fill these balls outdoors. Turn the hose on with just a half turn. The water will need to run slow considering the small size of the air hole. Start by filling the ball approximately 1/2 to 3/4 full. You can always add more water as your strength improves.

You may wish to pump a small amount of air into the ball after it has been filled with water. This will give the ball a little more shape. Do not fill the ball to full capacity however. You must retain the ability to grab the ball with your hands. If the ball is filled to capacity, you will be unable to grab into the sides of the ball. The end product will resemble an oval ball that is capable of dishing out tremendous strength challenges.

After spending $10 on your ball and taking 30 minutes to fill it, you will have one of the most challenging strength tools that you can find. There are several options for exercises. You can lift the ball similarly to how you would lift a sandbag or keg. Another option is to load and unload the ball to a raised platform. If you are looking for a great finisher, pick the ball up and walk with it for time. The water ball carry is one of the most challenging finishers you will find. An added benefit to this ball is that if you drop it on your foot, you will not need a trip to the podiatrist. Below is one sample workout that incorporates the water ball.

Sample Outdoor Workout



To perform this workout, you will need a 20 meter strip of land. The starting point will have a sledgehammer and tire.

• Strike the tire with your sledgehammer for 20 reps (10 swings from left side, 10 swings from right side)
  
• Pick up the water ball and walk 20 meters
  
• Put the ball down and perform 10 burpees
  
• Pick up the water ball and walk back to starting position (20 meters)
  
• Continue for 20 minutes
  

Clearly, this sample workout is just one of many options. The water
ball is fun, different from the norm, and always a challenge. You will
be surprised at the difficulty, and more importantly the effectiveness
of this low-tech modality.

Happy lifting!


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Note - The water ball was mentioned in my old text Ultimate Training For The Ultimate Warrior. The book has since been discontinued. A replacement to this program will be released in the near future.





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About the Author - Ross Enamait is an innovative athlete and
trainer, whose training style is among the most intense that you will
find. Ross is committed to excellence and advancements in high
performance conditioning and functional strength development. He has a
sincere interest in helping today's athlete in their quest for
greatness.

Ross has authored several training manuals, and is available for private training in the New England area. You may contact him directly at





ross@rosstraining.com
http://www.rosstraining.com/articles/thewaterball.html