Exercise
ball buying guide
We offer a variety of exercise
balls. The following chart clarifies the
differences among them, so you can pick one with the features
you want.
Quality is important in an exercise
ball. We don't carry flimsy ones because they pierce too
easily. All our balls are tough and resist piercing.
But even a strong ball can be punctured by something sharp like
a staple or nail. And when that happens, they can burst
rather like a balloon. For this reason, we encourage all
users to buy burst-resistant balls; in the unlikely case they
are punctured, these deflate
slowly and gently.
Exercise ball features*
* All of our Gymnic balls and Fitballs come in 55, 65, and 75 cm
sizes. The Gymnic Plus also comes in 45 cm.
See our sizing chart
for help choosing. |
If you have special needs or requirements,
check out the following exercise balls. Each is unique,
and one may be just what you are seeking.
Special exercise balls
| |
Therasensy
Ball
|
Sit
N Gym |
Ball
Activity |
Physio
Roll |
| How
unique |
oversized
and "bumpy" |
same material as Gymnic,
but with peg feet |
smallish
- ideal for kids |
peanut shaped |
| Why
unique |
bumpy
surface stimulates blood circulation |
peg feet keep ball from
rolling when not in use |
design
provides extra sensory stimulation |
offers greater stability
than standard shape |
| Color |
red |
pearl white |
transparent
& containing small colored balls |
red, yellow, blue |
You know what ball you want...but what size?
There are several approaches to sizing
exercise balls:
The 90-degree rule: When you are
seated on the ball, feet flat on the floor, you want your hips
and knees to form a 90 degree angle with one another.
Height: Match the ball to your
height - the taller you are, the bigger the exercise ball. Here
are some loose guidelines:
| Ball
Size |
User
Height |
| 55 cm (21") |
4" 11" to 5' 3" |
| 65 cm
(25") |
5' 4" to
5' 10" |
| 75 cm (29") |
5' 11" and up |
Sizes based upon height are approximate.
If you are near a division (for instance, you stand between 5' 2" and 5'
5" tall) you could opt to go either
way. Consider your other body characteristics and how you
plan to use the ball.
If you are 5' 3" and weigh 240
pounds, you probably ought to go with a 65 cm ball. On the
other hand, if you are 5' 5", but have very short legs, you
might prefer a 55 cm ball. Similarly, if you intend to
exercise while standing or lying on your back, the smaller ball
would work better.
Still
undecided? When in doubt, it is safer to choose
the larger size. You always have the option of inflating
the ball less. Five foot three using a 65 cm ball? No
sweat, just fit the exercise ball using the 90 degree rule in
sitting. An under-inflated ball will not be as firm, but
it will function just fine.
