Top Rated Exercise Balls for Healthy Posture

See the top 5 best exercise balls and everything you need to know about getting one.
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Do you want an exercise tool that will be easy to use, versatile, and is great for weight loss and toning? If so, consider one of the best exercise balls.

An exercise ball could be what’s missing from your at-home gym.

Incorporating an exercise ball into your routine is the perfect way to diversify your workouts, and the best ones are affordable and easy to set it up.

Choosing an exercise ball can be hard. There are so many options and differences depending on what you intend to do with it.

See the top 5 best exercise balls and everything you need to know about getting one.

Editor's Choice: URBNFit Exercise Ball

urbnfit exercise ball

Amazon

The URBNFit brings quality, durability, and affordability to an exercise ball.

Without spending a fortune, you’ll get a long-lasting exercise ball made from the best quality of materials. The ball is made of professional gym-grade PVC and can hold up to 2000 lbs of static weight. It comes with a workout guide, and installation is easy.

Overall, if you’re looking to do hard workouts and heavy duty reps, this is the ball for you.

URBNFit Exercise Ball Pros

  • Affordable price: Even though this ball is high-quality, the low cost means you won’t break the bank.
  • Detailed instructions: This ball includes a workout guide and inflation instructions.
  • Sturdy build: The PVC walls are tough and durable.

URBNFit Exercise Ball Cons

  • Weak pump: Some users claim that another pump is necessary to inflate the ball.
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Best Value: Live Infinitely Exercise Ball

Live infinitely exercise ball

Amazon

Live Infinitely is one of the most popular exercise balls among the fitness crowd. Its anti-burst tested and has proven to be a sturdy ball with its 2200 lb limit.

Incorporating this stability ball into your workout will only take a few steps once you get your package. The Live Infinitely comes with a hand pump, air plugs, and instructions on how to inflate it.

Also, it wouldn’t be a complete package without full access to Live Infinitely’s digital exercises and several training videos. You get the best bang for your buck with the Live Infinitely exercise ball.

Live Infinitely Exercise Ball Pros

  • Additional resources: This tool comes with access to an online exercise and training video resource.
  • Sturdy build: This ball can stand up to 2200 lbs.
  • One-year warranty: You can protect your investment with the warranty if anything happens to the ball.

Live Infinitely Exercise Ball Cons

  • Difficult inflation: Some users reported inflation issues.
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Best for Beginners: Gofit Professional Grade Stability Ball

gofit stability ball

Amazon

If you’re starting with exercise balls, the Gofit is one of our favorites.

You’ll get professional-grade quality without it being too much for a beginner. Plus, the Gofit is affordable. You won’t have to shell out big bucks on your first ball.

The ball material is also extremely durable and comes with all of the parts you need in a beginner’s startup pack.

If you run out of ideas while giving it a try, look directly on the ball for different workout ideas.

Gofit Stability Ball Pros

  • Durable build: This ball will last a long time because of its professional quality.
  • Training DVD: Your purchase comes with a DVD to help you learn workouts.
  • Workout instructions: The ball has workout ideas printed on it, so tips for your exercise are never far.

Gofit Stability Ball Cons

  • Tight plugs: The plugs may be difficult to get out.
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Best for Durability: Black Mountain Static Strength Exercise Stability Ball

black mountain stability ball

Amazon

When shopping for an exercise ball, you want one that is strong and will last you for years.

With proper care and maintenance, the Black Mountain Stability ball is one that we’ve found to be the most durable on the market. We love Black Mountain products, so it should come as no surprise that the brand’s stability ball made our list of best exercise balls.

You won’t be disappointed with this ball’s sturdy build. It can handle up to 2000 lbs and 300 lbs in moving weight. Therefore, this ball could be great for adults of many sizes.

If something unexpected happens to your ball, you can send it in and get a replacement with their automatic warranty.

Black Mountain Exercise Stability Ball Pros

  • 90-day warranty: Your purchase has protection for long enough to let you know if the ball has any defects.
  • Affordable price: This ball has an excellent price for professional grade quality.
  • High moving body weight limit: Some balls have limited weight, but this ball can handle almost anyone.

Black Mountain Exercise Stability Ball Cons

  • Needs maintenance: You may need to “stretch” ball out for a while before use.
  • No workout guides: Most balls come with workout guides or instructions, but this one doesn’t.
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Best For Office Use: Gaiam Total Body Balance Kit

gaiam exercise ball

Amazon

Replacing your office chair with an exercise ball chair may be your thing, and you need a good quality product to do that.

The Gaiam Balance Ball is the perfect addition to your office space. You can work out your abs and build core strength while you’re on the job.

If you want to take it a step further, you can pair it with the Gaiam Balance Ball chair, which sits the ball directly in it so you won’t slip.

Your ball comes with a trusted workout program and over 105 hours of different videos you can use to exercise when you aren’t working.

Gaiam Total Body Balance Pros

  • Chair option: You can use this ball with the Gaiam chair for office use.
  • Moving weight capacity: This ball can support up to 300 lbs.
  • Workout DVD: This chair comes with a yoga-inspired workout DVD.

Gaiam Total Body Balance Cons

  • No backrest or armrests: Lack of stabilizers could be a con for some
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What Is an Exercise Ball

group of colorful exercise balls

Bru-nO / Pixabay

An exercise ball is an air-filled plastic ball that you can use for several types of workouts, physical therapy, and other types of training.

You can often find exercise balls in at-home gyms, local gyms, and even offices.

The name exercise ball is straightforward, but you may come across a few other names if you’re shopping around for one. Other names include:

  • Balance ball
  • Stability ball
  • Therapy ball
  • Yoga ball

No matter which name variation you see, they all have the same function and are available in multiple colors.

Which Exercise Ball Is Right for You

woman with exercise ball

TORWAISTUDIO / Shutterstock

Exercise balls typically range from 14 to 34 inches or 35 to 85 centimeters.

The size of the ball depends on several factors, including:

  • How you will use the ball (exercise vs. seating)
  • Your height

The ball’s functionality depends on whether or not its the right size for you, so try a few out before you buy one.

A general rule of thumb is that the smaller balls pair with more petite people while the bigger balls would work for taller individuals with longer legs.

30–45 cm

The smallest exercise balls will usually come in two sizes, 30 and 45 cm:

  • 30 cm: Best for people who measure 4’6″ and under
  • 45 cm: Best for people who are between 4’8″ and 5’5″.

55 cm

People who are 5′ 6″ to 6′ should select the 55 cm ball.

Again, always try out the different sizes to see if the size is comfortable for you to avoid injury and discomfort. If you’re closer to 6 feet and the 55cm feels too small, opt for a bigger size.

65–75 cm

The bigger sized balls are for people who are 6 feet and up.

Size Guidelines

Make sure your feet comfortably reach the ground.

Your hips and legs should form a 90-degree angle with your feet flat on the ground when its the right size.

Care and Maintenance

exercising with a ball

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Exercise balls may seem simple to maintain and care for, but it doesn’t hurt to keep a few things in mind when you own one.

Keeping the ball clean, safe, and properly maintained will ensure its longevity and make it safer to use.

Cleaning

Professionals recommend that you use warm water and mild soap to clean your exercise ball.

Using stronger chemicals may cause the material to deteriorate or damage it, rendering it useless for exercise.

Storage

Where should you store your exercise ball when it’s not in use?

Most people don’t have an at-home gym. So, you’ll probably store it at home, such as in a spare bedroom or a closet.

The best place to keep your ball is in an area that’s free of sharp objects and out of direct sunlight. Extended exposure to the sun or humidity can cause the material to damage and will affect the ball’s durability.

Pets

We love our furry friends, but it’s to keep your exercise ball away from cats or dogs. Pets destroying exercise balls is a too-common scenario.

Exercise Ball Safety Tips

exercise ball in workout studio

Pixabay

Using an exercise ball can be great for toning and stretching, but keep in mind that they can also be dangerous.

Even the best ones can burst or can make us fall, so here are a few tips to keep in mind when you’re using your Swiss ball.

Always Consult With a Professional

If you are using the exercise ball for at-home workouts, it’s a good idea to consult with a doctor before using it.

A doctor can give you recommendations for what to do and what not to do, which is especially important if you have any health issues that may affect your workouts such as a heart condition, high blood pressure, or muscle, joint, and bone pain.

Stick to the Basics in the Beginning

When you start using an exercise ball, stick to exercises where your feet are planted on the ground so you can avoid losing your balance.

Once you practice getting your balance in this position, it will become a lot easier to balance on. You can then graduate to some of the harder exercises.

Never Use the Ball Outside

An exercise ball is best suited for indoor use only.

Using an exercise ball outside will expose it to sharp objects on the ground, dirty it, and potentially make it rupture.

Use your exercise ball in your at-home gym or your living room with a swept floor.

Frequently Asked Questions

People in office sitting on exercise balls

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When you’re getting started with exercise balls, you may not be familiar with all the ins and outs of this tool.

Here are answers to the most commonly asked questions.

What Is the Difference Between an Exercise Ball and a Medicine Ball?

Because of the many names of exercise balls, many people mix up exercise balls with medicine balls.

However, medicine balls and exercise balls are not the same things. 

A medicine ball is a weighted ball that is usually around the size of a basketball or smaller. These balls are generally for core and strength workouts, particularly with abs.

People typically use medicine balls as dumbbells or incorporate them into ab workouts like sit-ups, crunches or twists.

What Is the Best Way to Inflate an Exercise Ball?

Surprisingly, inflating an exercise ball can be tricky. Without proper inflation tips, you could end up with a ball much smaller than you wanted or even one that is shaped wrong.

The best way to inflate an exercise ball is to follow these few steps:

  1. Let the ball sit at room temperature so that it’s ready to expand.
  2. Start pumping the ball with a hand or foot pumper, but only pump it up to 80% (it will feel firm).
  3. Plug in the stopper, and let the ball sit overnight so the material will expand even more.
  4. Pump the ball up to its full diameter the next day. Use a measuring tape to make sure its the right size.
  5. Let the ball sit for another day before you use it

Is There a Weight Limit for an Exercise Ball?

The average weight limit for an exercise ball is around 250 lbs.

While each manufacturer will have different stats, it’s always good to check both the static weight and the body weight limit:

  • Static weight refers to the total amount of weight an exercise ball can handle when there is no movement from the person.
  • Body weight is how many pounds the ball can handle when it’s in use.

Check out the product reviews with each manufacturer to see what the specific limits are.

Do I Need a Different Exercise Ball for Different Workouts?

An exercise ball is a multipurpose ball, meaning you can do tons of different workouts on them. You can find hundreds of workout variations to try.

You can use it while sitting on top, you can use it for floor exercises, and you can even use it standing up.

Any exercise ball is an excellent option for balance, stability, and toning up the body.

Why Is the Exercise Ball Beneficial as a Desk Chair?

A common place to find an exercise ball is in the office.

Some scientific studies suggested that sitting on an exercise ball could be more beneficial. Some of the claimed benefits include increased:

  • Core activity
  • Leg muscle strength
  • Stability

By sitting down on an exercise ball chair, your core, lower back, and legs are activated, building resistance and strength.

For people who sit at the office all day, this may seem like a good thing to do if you’re concerned about your back health. However, because scientists haven’t proven the advantages of these balls, check with your doctor for an opinion.

We suggest sitting on an exercise ball for a few minutes every so often instead of throwing out your office chair completely.

exercise balls

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Next time you need to get a new exercise ball, use this guide to help you find the perfect one for you.