bench press VS swiss ball....holy crap i need some input

FORIANN

So here's the deal. I've been working as an IT contractor for like 2.5 years for the military in various places. I work out virtually every day....emphasis on cardio but doing strength training about 3 times a week (for about 3 hours at a time...full body routine).

Here's my dilemma: We have an elliptical machine at home and that I like for 8/10ths of my cardio....cause I'm a big guy and it's easy on the joints, etc. My wife bought a Bowflex Xtreme SE...and I think there's some things it will be useful for. I bought a dumbbell set and some adjustable dumbbells (olympic weight types) for heavier weights. We're all about economy of space and she (along with a personal trainer friend) are making the case that we can use a swiss ball....the bowflex....and dumbbells to achieve most everything in terms of physical fitness. I'm in pretty good shape and weigh 270lbs...I'll be using around 120-150lbs combined on dumbbells. I know those anti burst balls are supposed to be good for upto 3000lbs (some of them)...

SHORT VERSION........the idea of trying to balance on the ball while benching two 60lbs dumbbells just concerns me a little. I'm willing to try new things, but I'm skeptical, I have to tell you.

Thoughts?

hamncheese67

Yeah, I would be hesitant. It brings to mind what happened a couple of years ago to Francisco Garcia of the Sacramento Kings. See this story: http://thegoodpoint.com/2010/12/francisco-garcia-exercise-ball-injury/

FORIANN

Wow. This is exactly the kind of thing I imagine happening. Not good. I think this is going to one of those times I just order the bench and she'll have to deal with it. I'm not typically quick to disregard her opinion, but when it comes to something that might potentially injury me....sometimes you just have to make the call.