Finding an affordable means of exercise even during a trip can be a challenge. Yoga balls provide perfect equipment for a versatile, low-impact exercise that you can use on the go. These balls can be used for full body workout, agility training, strength training, and much more. All you need is an accompanying
yoga DVD to guide you through various exercises.
There are several different types of exercise balls on the market and browsing through all the choices can be a daunting task. The purpose of our guide is to provide you with the right information on what to look out for when shopping for the best yoga ball. Again, we’ve gone a notch higher by narrowing down on five of the best yoga ball brands that are trusted by many users across the globe, just to make your work simpler.
Yoga balls have been around for quite long, and they have not diminished in popularity in terms of getting a perfect workout for your core with minimal strain or impact on your body. They come in various sizes from 30cm all the way to 85cm, which accommodates children as well as the tallest adults. Ensure that you buy a
yoga towel as well to keep your ball dry and avoid dangerous slips as a result of sweat.
Now, our top picks focus on durability, ease of inflation, as well as varieties of sizes and colors. You’ll realize that yoga balls may look more or less similar, but they are definitely not created equal. Choose a ball based on its size, quality, and comfort level. Since you’ll be using the ball in many different body positions during the exercise, the right size ensures that the entire session is flawless and safe. Find a great
yoga mat as well to complement your exercise and have a full body workout.
But how do you choose the right yoga ball size for your height? When you stand next to your yoga ball, ensure that the ball is even or slightly above the knee level. Alternatively, you can sit on it and ensure that your knees are bent at 90 degrees, and your thighs lie parallel to the floor.
Continue reading below for more features to look out for in a yoga ball, and then you can dive straight to our top picks.
Price
A yoga ball promotes balance and leverages the many challenges on your favorite workout. It provides an ideal way to work out your core at a very inexpensive way. A good yoga ball will cost around $15 to $120, depending on the material it’s made of and the size.
Yoga ball prices may differ with a variety of designs, and your choice will depend on your preference as well as the workout you desire. Rubber medicinal balls are quite expensive and are made with rubber with an average weight of 2kgs. They are basically used to improve muscle tone, flexibility, core strength, and cardiovascular fitness. Their major benefit is that they enhance grip and control of the user and are inexpensive. Generally, we don’t recommend very cheap yoga balls since they may be made with low-quality PVCs that can easily burst or slip during exercise.
Features
Yoga balls offer different functionalities, and you can use them as a workout bench, an office chair, or an exercise ball for pushups, sit-ups, and much more. A good quality yoga ball can be used by beginners and more advanced fitness enthusiasts. Many people agree that a yoga ball helps improve their back pains by building core strength and strengthening the abdomen muscles, hence placing less strain on the back.
Yoga ball size - Yoga balls come in various sizes ranging from 45cm to 85cm which go with heights of 5’ to 6’8” respectively. Many manufacturers will provide charts to show yoga ball sizes and the corresponding heights for best results. As a general rule of thumb, when you stand next to a yoga ball, the ball should be level with your knee line or slightly above, and when sitting on the ball, your knees should bend at 90 degrees with your thighs parallel to the floor. Your shoulders, pelvis, and ears should be in a straight line.
Weight - Take your weight into consideration when choosing a yoga ball. Most yoga balls on the market today are designed for anti-burst capabilities and come with weight ranges from 200-2000 pounds. Check the package to see the ball’s anti-burst rating. Balls with better anti-burst rating are perfect for people looking to lose more weight. Again, if you have pets and kids who can get hold of the ball, the anti-burst quality comes into play to ensure that your ball stays safe for many days to come. Your yoga ball must be able to support your body weight plus any additional weights you may carry in the course of the workout.
Safety - The anti-burst technology is critical for the safety of the ball. If your yoga ball is punctured for any reason, the anti-burst technology resists compression under your weight and allows for slow deflation. If the ball was to burst under your weight, it could expose you to risks of falls that could be detrimental, especially on a hard floor. Frequent and heavy use of a yoga ball may cause the ball to lose its burst resistance much faster, so always check out the balls durability and burst-resistance specs before you purchase one.
Construction and Design
It’s important to take good care of your body if you want to live a long healthy life. Yoga balls have become regular exercise equipment for many people. They are not exceptionally expensive, making them a popular choice for people looking to exercise anywhere without selling an arm.
There are two common designs for yoga balls: medicinal balls and BOSU balls. Medicinal balls are weighted balls that are mainly made of rubber or leather. They may be filled up with sand or other materials to give it the heavy weight. These balls are basically for power training, rehabilitation, explosive training, as well as physical therapy. The larger the ball, the weightier it is, and vice versa. The weights range from 2 to about 30 pounds.
BOSU balls come with both sides up. They are dome-shaped and offer more versatility than the traditional yoga balls. The round and flat surfaces are used for different exercises. You’ll realize that some exercises are better done on the flat surface, while others work out better on a round surface. This design is great for balance and agility.
Other exercise balls are made from strong anti-slip PVC material and are generally used to strengthen the limbs and improve balance and posture. They are good for muscle coordination and blood circulation.
Performance and Ease of Use
Since there are so many exercises you can do with a yoga ball, you may need a yoga ball that comes with an instructional workout DVD to get the most out of every session. Again you should use the yoga ball the way it’s designed to be used. Injuries can occur if the balls are used improperly or if you choose the wrong size and/or anti-burst rating. A good yoga ball should have an accompanying instructional DVD to guide you on how to set it up and carry out various exercise routines safely. Additionally, many manufacturers provide video links to their website that you can watch as you continue upgrading your workout routines.
Choose a yoga ball that is easy to inflate using either an electric pump or a manually-operated foot pedal pump. Some models will come with an inflating adapter to make your work easier, so you just plug into the main power and press a button to inflate it to your desired diameter or height.
It’s always critical to take good care of your yoga ball to ensure that it serves you for a long time. When you purchase a yoga ball for the first time, inspect the ball for any rips, tears, holes, or any damage that might have occurred during shipment. Spread the ball flat on the floor with the inflation valve opening facing up. Now, inflate the ball to reach your desired diameter or height. You may need to check after 24 hours to see if the height is still the same. When you first use it, you may need to add more air once or twice as the ball settles to its ideal status. However, if it loses so much pressure, then there could be some leakages that may need to be addressed –– which calls for a yoga ball with a reliable warranty of at least two years.
We focused on brands that specialize in all-around fitness and quality designs. We compared prices against durability to find a range of options for any budget. You’ll find full-sized yoga balls, but many of these expert brands also sell Swiss balls in a wide range of sizes. So, go ahead and pick a yoga ball that suits your style and budget.
Some users benefit from an included instructional DVD, while others simply need a dependable yoga ball to get started. But everyone benefits from choosing the right yoga ball that will complement one’s work out style. Pay attention to user reviews if you're looking for some first-hand information. Hopefully, you’ll find the best yoga ball you’ve been looking for in our list. If you didn’t, go ahead and sample other alternative models from these brands and you’ll eventually find an ideal match!
