The best exercise ball overall
One common complaint among exercise ball fans is the inability of the ball to hold air over time. As air ekes out of the ball, it loses its firmness and becomes difficult to use. Luckily, the TheraBand Exercise and Stability Ball is one of the thickest-walled balls you can buy, and it holds air longer than most of the competition.
Even if it’s punctured, the ball will deflate very slowly, allowing you to finish your exercise session. In its review, the Garage Gym Builder says this patented slow deflation technology is a great feature that ensures your safety while exercising with the ball.
Because the Theraband Exercise Ball retains air so well, you won't have to reinflate it that often, which is a very good thing because this ball does take quite a bit of time to inflate in the first place. In fact, one Amazon buyer says the TheraBand ball is difficult to inflate properly.
The ability of this exercise ball to hold air well and maintain its shape gives it a firm feeling that other exercise balls cannot match, according to one Amazon reviewer, and many other reviewers agree.
The TheraBand ball has just the right type of surface for grip-ability, says The Wirecutter, because it isn't too slippery or sticky. Gym Gear Info also likes the durability of the TheraBand Exercise and Stability Ball, which is also latex and phthalate free.
The exercise ball is available in four sizes from 45 cm to 75 cm and it comes in a few colors.
Pros: Maintains its shape and holds air better than other exercise balls, includes a slow deflate technology if the ball is punctured, extremely firm, has a good surface for just the right amount of grip, offered in four sizes
Cons: Takes a long time to inflate, no inflation pump included, only one color per size
Buy the TheraBand Exercise and Stability Ball on Amazon for $20 to $50 (price varies by color)The best portable exercise ball
When you’re looking for an exercise ball you can take with you anywhere, the DynaPro Exercise Ball is a good idea. It ships with a hand pump and inflates faster than many other balls, so you can be ready to use it within several minutes.
The ball is available in four sizes, ranging from 45 cm to 75 cm, and it features slight ribs around the circumference of the ball to ensure a steady grip. You can get it in a few fun colors, including pink, blue, silver, gray, and black.
In its review, Thoroughly Reviewed says the DynaPro ball is great for gym goers because you can quickly inflate it anywhere with the included pump.
Like many exercise balls, you can also use it for active seating in your office. One Amazon buyer says the DynaPro exercise ball is a perfect option for using as a substitute for a desk chair, because unlike most exercise balls, it’s available in gray or black, which fits in better with an office setting than a brightly colored ball.
This is a tough, durable exercise ball, too. The Garage Gym Builder points out that it has a 2,000-pound burst rating. The ball will also slowly deflate if it ever suffers a puncture, allowing you to finish your workout safely.
Many reviewers even favorably compare the DynaPro to the high-quality exercise balls you’d find at an athletic club.
However, the ball cannot be inflated fully the first time you use it. You’ll have to inflate it fully after it’s had 2-3 days to stretch out. Additionally, a few Amazon reviewers say the DynaPro ball is not as firm as it should be to provide the proper support for exercising.
Pros: Good price point, easy to fill while on the go because of included hand pump, very durable material in the ball, prevents fast leaks when it suffers a puncture, available in four sizes and four different colors
Cons: Cannot fully inflate the ball the first time you use it, firmness level of the ball seems below average
Buy the DynaPro Exercise Ball on Amazon for $17.99 to $29.99 (price varies by size and color)The best tough exercise ball
We don’t expect anyone to routinely put 2,200 pounds of pressure on the Live Infinitely Exercise Ball, but if you do, you can feel comfortable that this tough exercise ball can stand up to the pressure.
If you’re looking for a tough exercise ball that’s also really large, the Live Infinitely model is one of the few that comes in five sizes ranging from 55 cm to 95 cm. You can also choose between five colors, including blue, green, gray, purple, and silver.
In its review, Runner Click liked the durability and high burst weight rating of the Live Infinitely ball, even though it carries only an average price point. This ball stands up well to rough workouts, according to one Amazon reviewer, and performs well under stress.
The ball ships with a detailed exercise e-book, which Empower Moms says is a great feature for helping you learn to use the ball properly. The Lifevest also likes all of the online tools you gain access to when you buy a Live Infinitely ball, as well as the high-quality materials used in the construction of this ball.
As for downsides, a few Amazon reviewers say fully inflating the Live Infinity Exercise Ball is extremely difficult.
Pros: Excellent price point, durable and tough exercise ball that can withstand 2,200 pounds of weight, available in a diameter as large as 95 cm, five color and five size options, includes a large library of online exercise guides
Cons: There is no 45 cm diameter size option in this model, difficult to fully inflate this ball
Buy the Live Infinitely Exercise Ball on Amazon for $25.90 (95 cm), $23.90 (85 cm), $22.90 (75 cm), $20.90 (65 cm), and $14.90 (55 cm)The best stable exercise ball
As we mentioned earlier, if you’re someone who just can’t wrap his or her head around the idea of a round ball providing the stability required for exercising or for sitting at a desk, the UR Superior Fitness Exercise and Stability Ball was made with you in mind because it comes with a stability ring.
When the ball is placed in the ring, it will not roll easily, providing a better level of stability for you than a round ball would alone.
For those interested in using exercise balls with yoga or Pilates, the Garage Gym Builder says this ball delivers excellent stability because of the included ring. You also can remove the ball from the stability ring and use it alone.
The stability ring makes this product a perfect option to use in place of an office chair, according to one Amazon buyer. The ball’s exterior is not sticky, yet it provides a good grip, making it very stable with or without the ring.
The UR Superior ball also comes with resistance bands that attach to the stability ring, so you can perform a host of exercises with this ball.
However, several Amazon reviewers say they could not fully inflate the ball, and it won’t fit in the ring unless it’s fully inflated.
This exercise ball comes in just one size with a 65 cm diameter, and it’s only available in gray.
Pros: Provides additional stability over other exercise balls because of included stability ring, exterior of the ball provides just the right grip, exercise bands attached to stability ring increase options for exercising
Cons: Only available in one color and one size, difficult to inflate the ball fully to take advantage of ring, high price point
Buy the UR Superior Fitness Exercise and Stability Ball 65 cm on Amazon for $34.49The best budget exercise ball
With some low priced exercise balls, you may feel leery about placing your full weight on them for fear of an exploding ball that leaves you crashing onto the floor. But the durability of the Wacces Fitness and Exercise Ball gives you the peace of mind you’ll need to use this inexpensive ball to its fullest.
Even though it's less expensive than other options, this ball is still quite durable and has a good grippy surface. The biggest downside is that it doesn’t support as much weight as more high-end exercise balls.
Most buyers really like this exercise ball for its affordable price and say it works quite well. One Amazon reviewer says this ball stands up to constant use for exercise and for sitting at a desk.
In its review, Gym Ventures says its a good durable ball, but it does need to be re-inflated more often than others. However, a few Amazon reviewers say it’s extremely difficult to fully inflate it initially.
You can pick between three different sizes, ranging from 55 cm to 75 cm. It’s also available in eight colors, including black, blue, gray, green, pink, purple, red, or yellow.
Pros: Extremely low price point, good build quality versus similarly priced exercise balls, surface has just enough grip to prevent slippage, ribs around circumference of ball provide extra grip, offered in eight colors
Cons: Only available in three sizes, difficult to fully inflate it first time you use it, doesn’t hold air pressure as well as some models
Buy the Wacces Fitness and Exercise Ball on Amazon for $6.45 to $19.95 (price varies by size and color)Exercise ball benefits and features
Here are some of the primary benefits exercise balls can provide, according to FitWatch, FitDay, and AFPA Fitness.
- Better balance: You’ll naturally strengthen your abs and back muscles while using the exercise ball because you must subtly shift your weight to remain balanced on the ball. As these muscles strengthen, your overall balance will improve.
- Core strength: Athletes constantly talk about the importance of having core strength in the body, as it gives you great balance and coordination. Using an exercise ball increases core strength.
- Muscle work: Because you have to continually adjust your weight slightly to maintain your balance on the ball, you’ll be using different muscle groups, which benefits your whole body.
- Rehabilitation and flexibility: You’ll stretch muscles and joints while moving around. Physical therapists sometimes assign a set of exercises using an exercise ball for people to follow as part of rehabilitating a specific joint or muscle group to gain more range of motion.
- Specific exercises: If you enjoy exercises like Pilates or yoga, you’ll gain some additional benefits by incorporating an exercise ball into the routine.
- Spinal support: The way the body and exercise ball interact relieves pressure on the spine when you are sitting on the ball. To use the ball properly, you will need good posture, which also will help your spine and will alleviate back pain.
Yes, an exercise ball is a simple, large round ball. Yes, at first glance every exercise ball looks like every other exercise ball. But still, there are several key differences that you can pay attention to when looking to find just the right exercise ball to meet your needs.
- Adding Air: Some exercise balls include an air pump. However, most of these pumps work very slowly. If you want a faster option, you should be able to use almost any type of pump to inflate your exercise ball, such as an air mattress pump, a bicycle tire pump, or even an air compressor. Physio Works says you can determine when the ball is properly filled with air by measuring its diameter. To determine the diameter, go back to your fifth-grade math class: Measure the circumference and then divide by pi [3.14] to determine the diameter.
- Extras: Depending on the model of exercise ball you pick, you may find the ball ships with an air pump, exercise bands, a stability ring, stability legs, a measuring tape, an exercise tip guide, or handles built into the ball.
- Size: The size of a stability ball is determined by its diameter. As Spine-Health says, common sizes of exercise balls range from 45 cm to 85 cm in 10 cm intervals. (Ten centimeters is roughly 4 inches.) People shorter than 5 feet will have the best results with sitting on a 45 cm ball, 6-feet-tall people will want a 65 cm ball, and those 6-foot-8 and taller will want an 85 cm ball.
- Supported weight: Exercise balls should offer supported weight limits for static weight and body weight, according to Livestrong. Static weight refers to the weight the ball supports without bursting when the user is not moving. Body weight refers to the weight it can support when the user is exercising. High-end balls may support static weight limits of 2,200 pounds and body weights of 500 pounds. A stability ball placed under too much weight or stress could burst.
