The Swiss exercise ball. A fun toy or a hardcore workout? A necessary addition to the home gym equipment, or just an inflatable ball that gets kicked around when it's in the way of more 'serious' equipment?
The answer depends on the person using it. The Swiss ball, also called a stability ball or exercise ball, can provide a challenging workout, or add an extra degree of difficulty to a free weight workout, within reason.
Stability balls come in all colors and sizes, and range in price from $10 to $80 dollars. They inflate easily, can be used by people of all fitness levels, and are easy to deflate and store out of sight when they aren't needed.
There is one thing hardcore gym goers and national fitness organizations agree on when it comes to exercise swiss ball style; swiss ball core exercises work.
So what size should you buy? And is it really necessary to spend a lot of money? The first question is easy; for the right size, check the box. It will indicate the size of the ball and the ideal height of the user for that size. Don't get a ball that is too small as it could encourage poor exercise form.
To decide which ball you should buy, check out our list of best exercise ball selections below in all price ranges and see what actual users think.
The GoFit Stability Ball:
This is an exercise ball for tall users. It has a 75 cm diameter and includes a training dvd with stability ball exercises for abs and the entire body.
Far from the mediocre quality exercise balls found at big box stores, for a few bucks more you get health club quality you can see. This ball was meant to take heavy and frequent use with extra thick walls. See below for other sizes.
Another high quality GoFit exercise ball, but this one for users under 6 feet tall, but no shorter than 5 feet tall. It is 65 centimeters around and features all the professional gym quality as the 75 cm ball. People often ask if there is really that much difference between a gym or health club quality stability ball and one you can buy cheap; do the thick walls make that much difference?
The answer is a resounding YES! Sure the burst capacity is higher, but more than this, a high quality exercise ball feels like a real piece of exercise equipment, and not like a toy. All this, and for only about 10 dollars more on average. Go pro.
Isokinetics Inc. Brand Exercise Ball Base
This is an essential piece of equipment when you own stability balls. It is a lot of fun to use these and play indoor soccer with them when serious exercise is not in progress. However, when the fun is done, it gets annoying having them roll around demanding your attention. For only twelve bucks, buy two, one for you and one for a friend. You will both appreciate it!
GoFit Exercise Ball (65 cm)
This are great exercise balls for people who think gym quality is overrated. After all it is still rated to over 300 pounds burst capacity, comes in your favorite color and holds air. Besides, you can save 10-20 dollars and buy an extra for your significant other, hint hint...
j/fit 85cm Anti-Burst Gym Ball (Navy Blue)
This is a serious stability exercise ball for core exercises and a total body workout. The 85 cm ball is for people over 6 feet tall. Not only are the JFit swiss balls burst resistant, they can hold up to 2000 pounds. That's about the weight of a small car!
Being burst resistant also means it will not explode on you if the thick material is ever punctured; just a nice, slow release of air. Like all good exercise stability balls, this one comes with a pump and a workout guide.
j/fit 65cm Anti-Burst Gym Ball (Purple)
All the greatness of the 85 centimeter JFit exercise ball, but for people from 5' 8" to 6' 1" tall. Lucky, you get to save some money!
Follow this link for some great stability ball core exercises and medicine ball workouts:
Exercises with Exercise Balls
Exercise with Medicine Ball
