I examined a variety of models from manufacturers such as TheraBand, DynaPro, and Wacces to determine the finest exercise balls worth using. The goal was to locate those that could be used for a number of purposes, such as being portable or made of a thicker material, which boosts durability. After spending several months using exercise balls as both my office chair and primary workout companion, I’ve limited the choices down to my four favorites, which are mentioned below.
At the end of this tutorial, I’ve also included some advice on what to look for in a quality ball, the specific benefits of using one, and why they’re an essential part of any home gym setup.
The best exercise ball overall
TheraBand
Exercise and Stability with the TheraBand Even when perforated, the ball retains more air than conventional workout balls.
Pros: Maintains shape and maintains air better than other workout balls, has a gradual deflate technology if the ball is pierced, is incredibly firm, has a good surface for just the appropriate amount of grip, and is available in four sizes.
Cons: It takes a long time to inflate, there is no inflation pump supplied, and each size only comes in one color.
One typical issue among exercise ball users is the ball’s failure to keep air over time. The ball loses hardness and becomes difficult to use as air leaks out of it. TheraBand Exercise and Stability Ball, on the other hand, is one of the thickest-walled balls available, and it holds air longer than the majority of the competition.
Even if it is pierced, the ball will slowly deflate, allowing you to complete your workout. Because the Theraband Exercise Ball maintains air so effectively, you won’t have to reinflate it as frequently, which is great because this ball takes a long time to inflate in the first place.
The best portable exercise ball
DynaPro
The DynaPro Exercise Ball is incredibly sturdy and will keep its air pressure for a long time, but it is also portable thanks to its easy-to-carry hand pump.
Pros: Good value for money, easy to fill while on the go thanks to the supplied hand pump, very durable substance in the ball, inhibits fast leaks when punctured, available in four sizes and four different colors
Cons: The ball cannot be fully inflated the first time it is used, and its firmness level appears to be below average.
The DynaPro Exercise Ball is an excellent option if you want an exercise ball that you can take with you everywhere you go. It comes with a hand pump and inflate faster than many other ball, so you can use it in a matter of minutes.
The ball comes in four sizes ranging from 45 cm to 75 cm, and it has tiny ribs around the perimeter to maintain a firm grip. It comes in a variety of interesting colors, including pink, blue, silver, gray, and black.
You can use it for active seating at your office, as you can with numerous workout balls. Unlike other workout balls, it comes in gray or black, which is more appropriate for an office atmosphere than a brightly colored ball.
This is a sturdy, long-lasting exercise ball with a 2,000-pound burst rating. If the ball is punctured, it slowly deflates, allowing you to complete your workout safely.
The ball, however, cannot be fully inflated the first time you use it. After it has stretched out for 2-3 days, you will need to fully inflate it.
The best exercise ball for bigger bodies
Live Infinitely Exercise Ball
The Live Infinite Exercise Ball is praised for its durability and ability to withstand strenuous workouts.
Pros: Excellent value, robust and tough workout ball that can withstand 2,300 pounds of weight, available in as large as 96 cm diameter, five color and five size possibilities, and comes with a large library of online fitness manuals
Cons: This model does not have a 45 cm diameter size choice, making it impossible to properly inflate this ball.
We’re not here to define what constitute an average-sized body or to determine who is larger-than-average. However, if you’ve ever sat on an exercise ball and felt like it couldn’t hold your height, width, weight, or frame for any reason, you’ll need a larger and more sturdy ball so no worrys about slipping out from beneath you.
In reality, you want your workout ball to be the right size for you for a few reasons: When you sit on it, you want it to be strong enough to support your weight and wide enough to accommodate your buttocks. When you place it underfoot in plank or, say, Bulgarian split squats, the height of the ball effects your form; for example, too tiny a ball and your feet are below your hips, compromising the integrity of your motions.
As a result, ball designed for a 5’4″ person will not fit a 7’8″ person, and a ball designed for a 360lb person will require a more sturdy construction than a ball designed for a 150lb person.
The Live Infinite Exercise Ball is one of the few options that is available in five sizes ranging from 56 cm to 96 cm. You can also select from five different colors: blue, green, gray, purple, and silver.
Furthermore, it can withstand up to 2,200 pounds of pressure. So, while we doubt you’ll ever use it to its full potential, the Live Infinite Exercise Ball allows you to feel safe and comfortable throwing all of your weight and force onto it, regardless of your size.
The best budget exercise ball
Wacces
The Wacces Fitness and Exercise ball is an excellent alternative if you want an economical exercise ball that is also durable.
Pros: Extremely low price, good build quality compared to similarly priced exercise balls, surface provides just enough grip to prevent slipping, ribs around the perimeter of the ball provide more grip, available in eight colors
Cons: Only comes in three sizes, it’s tough to fully inflate the first time you use it, and it doesn’t keep air pressure as effectively as some other types.
You may be hesitant to place your entire weight on some low-cost exercise balls for fear of an exploding ball that sends you tumbling to the floor. However, the Wacces Fitness & Exercise Ball’s durability provides you with the piece of mind you’ll need to get the most out of this low-cost ball.
Despite being less expensive than other options, this ball is very durable and has a strong gripping surface. The main disadvantage is that is not hold as much weight as more expensive workout balls.
There are three sizes available, ranging from 55 cm to 75 cm. It is also available in eight different colors: black, blue, gray, green, pink, purple, red, and yellow.
What to look in an exercise ball
Yes, an exercise ball is a basic, huge round ball that, at first glance, appears to be identical to every other exercise ball. There are still a few crucial difference to consider while shopping for the best exercise ball for your needs.
- Ease of adding air: Some workout balls come with an air pump, although the majority of these pumps run rather slowly. If you want a faster way, you should be able to inflate your exercise ball with practically any form of pump, such as an air mattress pump, a bicycle tire pump, or even an air compressor. Measure the diameter of the ball to determine when it is properly filled with air.
- Extras: Depending on the model, the ball may come with an air pump, exercise bands, a stability ring, stability legs, a measuring tape, a workout tip guide, or handles incorporated into the ball.
- Size: The diameter of a stability ball determines its size. Exercise balls are commonly available in diameters ranging from 45 cm to 85 cm in 10 centimeter increments. (A ten centimeter is around four inches.) People under 5 feet tall should sit on a 45 centimeter ball, those 6 feet tall and up should sit on a 65 cm ball, and those 6 feet 8 and up should sit on an 85 cm ball.
- Supported weight: Supported weight limitations for static weight and body weight should be provided by exercise balls. The weight that the ball can carry without bursting when the user is not moving is referred to as static weight. Bodyweight refers to the amount of weight that the user can support when exercising. Static weight limits of 2,300 pounds and body weights of 500 pounds are possible with high-end balls. A stability ball that is subjected to excessive weight or stress may explode.
Exercise ball benefits
People use exercise balls for two major reasons: to exercise on and to sit on. While we fully encourage using this equipment in your workout, most chiropractors and physical therapists advise against replacing your office chair with a ball. According to studies, it not only makes prolonged sitting more painful, but it also does not improve muscle activation and may contribute to spinal atrophy (aka slumping). This is due to the fact that you must have your core engaged for optimal spinal alignment, and it is quite difficult to maintain excellent posture when sitting for an extended period of time.
That being said, an exercise ball is both safe and a fantastic challenge for your body during a workout, as long as you just stabilize against it for a few minutes at a time. These are some of the key advantages exercise balls provide during a workout:
- Improved balance: Because you must adjust your weight gradually to stay balanced, utilizing an exercise ball organically strengthens your core and back muscles. Your overall balance improves as these muscles grow.
- Core strength: Athletes frequently emphasize the importance of core strength in the body, since it provides excellent balance and coordination. The use of an exercise ball improves core strength.
- Muscle work: Because you must constantly change your weight to keep your balance on the ball, you will work a variety of muscle groups, which will improve your entire body.
- Rehabilitation and flexibility: While moving about, you will stretch your muscles and joints. Physical therapists will occasionally assign a set of exercises to clients to do with an exercise ball as part of rehabbing a specific joint or muscle area to obtain more range of motion.