Give this Disc a Xer 0
Written: Dec 02 '04
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Portable, light, small, will help balance.
Cons: Unnecessary, expensive, needs to be inflated.
The Bottom Line: This is what I call a non-essential piece of equipment. Save your money.
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| jo.com's Full Review: SPRI Products Xerdisc with Instruction Chart |
Information on what a Xerdisc is:
A Xerdisc is a balance training tool. It can be used to help with your balance for activities such as running, skateboarding, skiing and in my case Pilates and Yoga. It will also help with strength and stabilization exercises that many do in these classes. This is a simple round lightweight round disc that is filled using a bike pump and ball needle. The top should be flat so do not over inflate it. The less it is deflated the more of a challenge it will be for your balance.
You can see bumps or spikes on the top of it. The one I am reviewing is the blue disc. Those spikes should be down facing the floor when using this.
It measures 13-1/2 inches deep x 2-1/2 inches high.
How to use and care for the Xerdisc:
Before using this or doing any exercises make sure you are warmed up. Do not use this on slippery surfaces. One of my Pilates classes comes after an aerobic class and we wipe down the floor before standing on the disc. The bottom of your foot should be totally on the disc. At first you might need to hold onto something or lean on a wall. Please do so if you feel really unsteady. As always talk with your doctor before starting any exercise program.
In general you want to do 1-3 sets of 8-12 repetitions of each exercise. That is a general guideline in the gym using weights as well.
Keep the Xerdisc away from sharp objects and please do not let your children bounce or jump on this. It is not a toy. It will cost you around $25.00 and you will get an instruction sheet with it.
I am a Certified Personal Trainer. Some suggestions for the Xerdisc:
If you read my review below on Spri Foam Rollers you will know that I find them fairly difficult. Both these tools are used to help balance and work on core strength. I really like it for push ups. As I have written my wrists hurt me. I find that when I use two of these (one for each hand) it takes a lot of pressure off my wrists. Personally I do not find this particular exercise to help my balance just to alleviate pain.
I find that lunges on the Xerdisc are the most effective for helping with balance. If you have ever done a lunge (I will explain it in a moment.) using dumbbells you will know that you will often lose your balance.
Having a foot on the Xerdisc inflated as much as possible so it is not so challenging, I find that I can do lunges more affectively while holding dumbbells. You will stand with the disc under a foot that is in front of you. You are going to bend your back leg and at the same time bend the leg that is on the disc. Your front leg is at an angle but make sure that your knee is not over your foot and your back leg is lowered with your knee close to the floor or as much as is comfortable.
You can do ab curls or crunches lying on the disc as well. Like the Foam Rollers the attempt to balance on the disc will force you to tighten your abdominal/core area working it harder than you might normally.
This is an unusual and in my opinion unnecessary piece of equipment. I like the Spri Foam Rollers much better. They are more versatile I think and you do not have to worry about them deflating or breaking. Please feel free to leave me a comment, question or e-mail me privately.
Spri Foam Rollers
This is my entry into Lean-n-Mean III hosted by sleeper54. Thanks, Tom: 643 words!
Recommended:
No
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