Choosing An Exercise Ball

How to Choose the Right Exercise Ball for Your Height

Your height determines which Swiss ball size is right for you. The most common sizes are 45cm, 55cm, and 65cm for heights ranging from just under five feet to six feet and up. After you buy an abdominal exercise ball, you can make sure that the ball you have purchased is the right size for you by inflating the exercise ball, sitting on the center, and checking to see that the angle of your knees is around 90 degrees, and the angle of your hips should be at 90 degrees or slightly higher.

If you are ordering online and are not sure what size is right for you, squat with your back against the wall and sink down to 90 degrees, then have a friend measure to find out the size ball that you need to order. If you don't have someone available to measure, here is a height chart to help you out.

FitBALL® Exercise Ball Size Chart
under 4'8" 45 cm (17 in.)
4'8" to 5'3" 55 cm (21 in.)
5'3" to 6'0" 65 cm (25 in.)
6'0" to 6'7" 75 cm (29 in.)

(Chart is intended for general guidelines only. Please consult your therapist or trainer for your specific needs. If your height is between the specifications, you may need the larger size if you have long legs or carry extra weight for your height. If there is doubt, a larger ball is recommended because it can be slightly under inflated.)

How to choose the right exercise ball in the gym

Most gyms have racks of exercise balls for abdominal workouts, Pilates and Yoga. The wrong sized ball can cause postural misalignment of the spine, which can lead to injury, and this is especially true when using weights. An undersized or oversized ball will not fully activate your core muscles, reducing the benefits of your workout and wasting some of your effort. The ball should not feel too mushy or soft when you are sitting on it, so be sure the ball is fully inflated and firm.

After first inflating the the FitBALL® Sport Firm Exercise Ball, test the ball by sitting on it. Your thighs should be nearly parallel with the floor at a 90 degree angle. The ball should not feel too mushy or too soft. If necessary, use the accompanying pump to inflate the ball further until it is firm.

Choosing between "different" kinds of balls

Exercise balls come in many shapes, textures and sizes, and are known by a variety of names: Swiss balls, Core balls, stability balls, pilates balls, therapy balls and fitness balls.

Another common name is for the exercise ball is "yoga ball.“ Although exercise balls may be relatively new in the gym, they have been used by medical professionals since the early 1960s.

With so many names, which one name for the exercise ball is correct? The simple answer is: all of them. The names of stability balls from 45cm-65cm change depending on the user and the application. They are therapy balls when they are used for physical therapy, yoga balls when they are used to help support yoga poses, stability balls when they are used in exercises that challenge your balance and activate the core muscles to build endurance and improve flexibility. The FitBALL® Exercise Ball is safe for all ability levels.

When choosing an exercise ball, burst resistant exercise balls are recommended for safety

Once you know how to choose an exercise ball for your height, your next concern is to consider safety. Exercise comes with its own inherent risks, and with unsafe equipment the risk increases exponentially. Core exercises strengthen your core muscles, including abs, back and pelvis. It is strong core muscles that make it easier for you to do most physical activities.

When purchasing a new ball for balance, core or strength training, avoid the cheap abdominal exercise balls on the market. Look for higher quality burst resistant balls that are designed to deflate slowly if punctured for extra safety. These heavy duty fitness balls are used exactly the same as regular ones, but are made more durable. Consider a FitBALL® Exercise Ball, which is the number one recommended exercise ball. All sizes are designed to slowly deflate if punctured.

An Essential Accessory

When you get an exercise ball, make sure you also pick up a plug puller. The plug puller should be considered a safety item, not for you, but for the ball.

If you do not use a plug puller, it is very easy to damage your FitBALL® Exercise Ball when trying to pull out to re-inflate to its proper firmness. This little accessory allows you to keep the ball properly inflated so it is safe to use and it will protect the stability ball and keep it safe from damage as well. FitBALL® Exercise Balls have a special plug puller, available at fitball.com.

Here are a few tips to help you get the best ball for your buck

When deciding between a premium fitness ball and a generic one, remember that safety is the most important factor. It's possible to find premium or generic gym balls that meet the requirements, but you need to know what you're looking for.

So do your research. Make sure your fitness ball is burst-resistant or anti-burst rated to at least 600 pounds. Generally speaking, brand names that have been around for a long time have been around for a reason. FitBALL® Exercise Balls are all burst resistant exercise balls and stress tested so be sure to look for the FitBALL® USA logo as a sign of quality.

How to choose exercise balls for kids

Exercise balls are so popular with adults for fitness that they are now available for fun and fitness for children. Most children will fit on the 45cm or 55cm balls. A word of caution, however: many generic balls that are made for children are not burst resistant.

Another popular choice for children is the hop ball. This ball is different from traditional exercise balls because it has a sturdy handle which makes the hop ball easier for children to maneuver. The hop ball can provide hours of fun indoor activity. Children love the vibrant colors and get a good amount of exercise and stability training mixed in with with their play. The hop ball is meant for indoor use to protect the ball from sharp outdoor objects such as rocks. To keep children safe, consider purchasing a soft FitBALL® mat or rubber puzzle flooring for extra safety in their play area.

When choosing the right FitBALL® Exercise Ball, size is more important than color

A Swiss ball is an excellent piece of fitness equipment to have around the house. Just sitting on one activates your core muscles by challenging your proprioception, so it makes for a healthy spare chair. Simply sitting on the ball forces your body to maintain physical stability.

For most people, getting the color ball they want is very important, especially because they will see their abdominal exercise ball (and hopefully use it) every day. When purchasing an exercise ball for your home, remember that the strength and size of the ball are always going to be more important to you then the color. Industrial grade FitBALL® exercise balls are usually designed to be specific colors based on their size. FitBALL® Exercise Balls come in 55cm red, 65cm blue, 75cm yellow, and all sizes come in Pearl white and charcoal.

Warning: all balls are not created equal

Which exercise ball size is correct for a specific person is a subject of debate among instructors and and often is determined by what exercise method you will be using. What is agreed is that exercise balls are blown up according to diameter, not air pressure. A tape measure or yard stick can help you determine that you have inflated your stability ball to its maximum diameter. The maximum diameter should be printed on the ball and on the box. To avoid rupturing your exercise ball during use, never inflate the ball beyond its maximum diameter height. One factor in choosing an exercise ball is its durability and ability to maintain its shape under pressure.

Another consideration when choosing an exercise ball is texture. FitBALL® Exercise Balls are textured, making them easy to grip and burst-resistant.

The most common mistake new exercise ball buyers make

For beginners, it can be easy to fall off the ball in an unexpected direction. When you use a ball at home, make sure you are using it in an area that is risk-free. Be sure the area around the ball is free of hard or sharp objects which could puncture your ball. While the FitBALL® Exercise Ball has a weight-bearing capacity of 2,250 lbs, it is not recommended for heavy weightlifting activities.

The most common mistake new exercise ball buyers make is getting the wrong sized ball for their height. Use the below FitBALL® exercise ball guide/ball chart to make sure you get the right sized exercise ball for your height.

FitBALL® Exercise Ball Size Chart
under 4'8" 45 cm (17 in.)
4'8" to 5'3" 55 cm (21 in.)
5'3" to 6'0" 65 cm (25 in.)
6'0" to 6'7" 75 cm (29 in.)

(Chart is intended for general guidelines only. Please consult your therapist or trainer for your specific needs. If your height is between the specifications, you may need the larger size if you have long legs or carry extra weight for your height. If there is doubt, a larger ball is recommended because it can be slightly under inflated.)