What size yoga ball do I get?

a_cawili

I’ve read that based on my height (5’4), I should get a medium (55 cm) yoga ball, but I’m really heavy for my height and feel like I will squish the ball flat. Would I need to move up a size (large ball - 65 cm)?

Physical Therapists, trainers and fitness experts, please help 💛

AnnPT77

You don't say how heavy you are.

Many brands of exercise/stability/yoga balls have a maximum weight designation. (I assume you're talking about the big ones you can sit on.) Common ones may be 250-300 pounds.

But I've seen heavy duty or commercial grade ones that are rated up to 1000 pounds anti-burst, 2000 pounds static (according to their marketing info), and there may be some rated for higher weights than that, I don't know. The heavy duty or commercial ones may be somewhat more expensive than the cheapest ones a person can find at a discount sports store, but they're not crazy expensive IMO.

Just getting a bigger ball doesn't mean you're getting a stronger ball, or a firmer ball. The issue is more about the ball's wall thickness and material. Get one that's rated for your weight, ideally above your weight, for anti-burst weight. How squished the ball gets under a person's weight is more about how firmly inflated it is. It should be possible to inflate a heavy duty one to the firmness you'd need.

I'm not a personal trainer or physical therapist, just a random idiot on the internet. But if you do some web searches, I think you'll see that it's true what I'm saying about balls having weight ratings.

springlering62

I do yoga regularly and had never heard the term “yoga ball” so had to look it up.

We just call it “ball” and the only place I use one is in my “muscle madness” classes. Have never used one in yoga.

I bought one for the house ages ago, thinking it was a “must have” when starting out and it’s been in the closet ever since.

One caveat, check reviews before buying. I also got a small kid sized one for ball passes and mat Pilates. The sticky plastic material on both the big and small ones can stick to things- especially hardwood floors and stained or painted or even ikea melamine furniture and tear up the finish if it’s left in place for long periods. Make sure yours doesn’t have those kind of reviews.

In retrospect, probably one of my more unused purchases. 🤷🏻‍♀️

springlering62

I do yoga regularly and had never heard the term “yoga ball” so had to look it up.

We just call it “ball” and the only place I use one is in my “muscle madness” classes. Have never used one in yoga.

I bought one for the house ages ago, thinking it was a “must have” when starting out and it’s been in the closet ever since.

One caveat, check reviews before buying. I also got a small kid sized one for ball passes and mat Pilates. The sticky plastic material on both the big and small ones can stick to things- especially hardwood floors and stained or painted or even ikea melamine furniture and tear up the finish if it’s left in place for long periods. Make sure yours doesn’t have those kind of reviews.

In retrospect, probably one of my more unused purchases. 🤷🏻‍♀️

AnnPT77

FWIW, I've used mine a bunch at times, mostly for core exercises, but also as an unstable base for dumbbell exercises (for a stabilizer muscle challenge). I do go on and off with this, but have gone multiple months using it regularly. (I'm a flake, switch up my routines sometimes.) I'm glad I have it.

ETA P.S. I don't usually call it a "yoga ball" either, but that's a common name. To me, "yoga balls" can be various sizes for various purposes. I'd usually call this kind an exercise, stability, or Swiss ball.

Hobartlemagne

They're all inflatable. Just keep the pressure high enough to resist you.

SweatLikeDog

It's not the size of the ball, but the air pressure in the ball that determines "squishability". Get the 55cm ball and inflate to a sufficient pressure to get to a level of adequate compression.

pridesabtch

When sitting on the ball you want your knees to be level or lower than your hips, so too small or underinflated is not good. If the ball is firm, and rated for your weight a medium sized ball makes sense. The larger balls will just be a little more awkward especially if trying to do exercises like planks or leg lifts.