buying a swiss fitness ball

missdaisy79

I'm considering buying one of these swiss fitness ball things. There's a lot of choice out there, and I don't know what the most important features should be. It's great that they are tested to 500kg loads, and are anti burst, and the sizes are suitable for different heights...but I'm still a wee bit bamboozled by the amount of choice! So, MFP, what are your main criteria that you look for in a fitness ball?

ninerbuff

Do you currently use one now and if you are how many exercises do you actually do with them?

A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer/Group Fitness Instructor
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

BerryH

In my opinion it's one bit of fitness equipment where you don't have to spend huge amounts of money, so just choose a range you can afford.

The most important factor is the size in relation to your height. The following is borrowed from one manufacturer's site, but they're pretty consistent.

45cm Gym Ball - suitable for height 5'0" (152cm) or shorter
55cm Gym Ball - suitable for height 5'1" - 5'6" (155cm - 167cm)
65cm Gym Ball - suitable for height 5'7" - 6'1" (170cm - 185cm)
75cm Gym Ball - suitable for height 6'2" (188cm) or taller

missdaisy79

I used to use one a lot when I was undergoing physio for my back. The main exercise was sitting on it and stretching down each side, which I found to be very good. My back pain has started to play up again after a weekend of sleeping in hard guest beds, and I figure it couldn't hurt to try and re-visit the physio exercises. I've used them intermittently at the gym, I find doing crunches on the ball to be more comfortable than whilst lying on the floor. There are some exercises in NROLfW that I'd like to do that have an exercise ball in them. I can't remember the names just now, and I'm at work so I can't check.

I'm also hoping to encourage my husband to start working on his core strength too - even if it's just a case of getting him to sit on the dam thing whilst playing xbox!

missdaisy79

Thanks Berry, that's really useful.

BerryH

Thanks Berry, that's really useful.

I got mine for £5 with an Avon special offer :blushing: Does the job as well as the gym ones

Argos is good for cheap fitness gear too.

ninerbuff

Main reason I asked is because the ball was instituted initially for rehab, but has morphed into the "functional" training that is now be touted by the fitness industry.
As get the right ball for your height. Most will be of decent quality. If you're doing NR then stick to it.

A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer/Group Fitness Instructor
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

missdaisy79

Thanks ninerbuff.

TrainingWithTonya

Personally, I go for a burst resistant ball for safety. I've seen one pop like a balloon in the gym when it wasn't burst resistant and the person sitting on it broke her tailbone when she fell. Another ball that I saw get a hole just slowly deflated with no injuries even though there was a 250 pound woman sitting on it because it was burst resistant. So, for safety, get a burst resistant ball.

As for size, use the chart above as a guideline, but if you are on the border for height go with the bigger size. When you inflate the ball, it won't be exactly 55cm or 65cm. A 65 cm ball slightly under inflated will be less likely to burst then a 55cm ball slightly over inflated. When you inflate the ball, put the stopper in when it looks about the right height for you and test it. Then you can remove the stopper and adjust the air as necessary for you. Ideally, when you sit on the ball, your feet should be flat on the floor and your knees and hips bent at 90 degrees, so your thighs are parallel to the floor. If your hips are higher then your knees, then the ball is too inflated for you. If your knees are higher then your hips, then the ball is not inflated enough for you.

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16 years Certified Personal Trainer and Group Exercise Instructor
9 years Certified Sports Nutritionist
Bachelors in Exercise Physiology with a Minor in Nutritional Science
ACSM Certified Clinical Exercise Specialist
NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist

contingencyplan

Aside from size, there's really only one thing to pay attention to: Whether or not it's weighted. A lot of these balls are weighted because it helps keep them from rolling around while underneath you. If you're a beginner this is an added benefit because it makes the learning curve in using one less steep. However it also limits the exercises you can do with them as there are things you will be doing with a swiss ball that involve deliberately rolling it underneath you. A weighted one will make these difficult. I've owned both types. If you are looking for a weighted one then the Perfect Core Ball is my choice. If you are looking for one that isn't weighted, you have a wide variety of good options out there.

RussetBrunnette

bump for later

Debbe2

Go with the largest for your height. Bought a good one at Ross which is a discount store for about $7. It's better then another one we have which is too small for my comfort although I am on 5'. I sometimes use it when working at my desk or watching TV but there are a few exercises you can do with it. As others have said it isn't a huge part of an exercise routine so I suggest you don't spend a lot of $ on it.

missdaisy79

Thanks everyone for your comments. I'll look out for a cheap, unweighted burst resistant ball