Exercise Ball Inflation Questions

InnocentLunatic

So our leg curl machine at the gym I go to needed to be reupholstered, and I ended up doing leg curls with a balance ball instead-- and found out that I really liked it, so I went online and got myself a Gaiam Total Body Balance Ball 65cm, and I inflated it(using the hand pump that came with it, which was nearly a workout in itself). I used a tape measure and if it's supposed to be it's circumference, then it's overinflated(or is this measurement meant to be the diameter, in which case, how do I tell when it's full because I don't have a tape measure long enough?) but it still feels too soft when I sit down on it, whereas the one at the gym that is the same size feels nice and firm-- could this be because the Gaiam ball is rubber and whatever one is at the gym may be plastic or should it not make a difference so long as it's inflated right?

ninerbuff

Just pump it up till it's firm. That's what we do at our gym.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
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Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

InnocentLunatic

Alright, thanks, it's feeling a bit better now, but possibly just a tad bit underinflated still, but once I put the stopper in it's such a pain to get out that I think I will just make do with it for now XD Took so long that I wish I had followed the instructions recommendation to use a bike pump instead of the included pump(I mean, it's a sign, when even the instructions tell you that the hand pump stinks) but I was worried about overinflating it and it exploding, which I guess was silly.

astronomicals

I used a tape measure and if it's supposed to be it's circumference, then it's overinflated(or is this measurement meant to be the diameter, in which case, how do I tell when it's full because I don't have a tape measure long enough)

Thats impossible... the tape measure is long enough... measure out 65 cm from the corner of a wall and mark the spot.. pump it till it is that wide while leaning against the adjacent wall. Make sense?

PrizePopple

I was told by a gym instructor to make sure your hips and knees are lined up when you sit on it.