Are you looking to buy some commercial-grade fitness balls for your gym? Luckily, you are at the right place! To help you with the process, here is our best fitness ball buying guide.
Fitness balls are heavy-duty, compressible, and inflatable exercise balls. They are available in a variety of sizes ranging from 45cm to 75cm in diameter. They can be manufactured using plastic or elastic vinyl.
There are multiple types of fitness balls such as Swiss balls, Pilates balls, exercise balls, birth balls, therapy balls, and many more. They differ in their usage. For instance, swiss balls are used for strength training and cardio exercises. Whereas, stability balls are used to target upper and lower body muscles and core.
Fitness balls are manufactured in different qualities and types. Therefore, it can be difficult for first-time buyers to choose the best product. Don’t worry! We are here to help you. This fitness ball buying guide will answer all your questions and will teach you how you can check the quality and buy the best fitness balls.
Table of Contents
- What are the manufacturing materials for fitness balls?
- What are the average sizes of fitness balls?
- Does the weight of a fitness ball affect its quality?
- How to test the burst-resistant feature of a fitness ball?
- Do fitness balls slip?
- What is the average weight holding capacity of a fitness ball?
- How do I make sure that a fitness ball is durable?
- How do I inflate a fitness ball?
- How often do I need to inflate a fitness ball?
- Does a fitness ball have an odor?
- Does color affect the performance of fitness balls?
- Do fitness balls come with any accessories?
- What are the important factors to consider while buying fitness balls?
- Conclusion
What are the manufacturing materials for fitness balls?
Fitness balls can be manufactured using a variety of materials such as PVC, NBR, TPE, and rubber.
PVC fitness balls are manufactured using recycled or eco-friendly materials. Balls made from eco-friendly materials are durable and more elastic. They can be made in matte colors too. On the other hand, fitness balls made from recycled material are shiny but have a strong smell.
PVC fitness balls are burst resistance under a specified weight. This feature makes them safe to use in a commercial gym. Generally, the thicker the PVC, the more burst resistant it will be, however, there are some other factors involved too. PVC balls do not lose their shape even after a lot of usages. They also give a great bouncy feel during exercise.
Keep in mind that PVC is not used alone to make fitness balls. The unmodified form is not suitable for this purpose. Therefore, some additives are added to make the ball bouncy and durable. Make sure to ask the manufacturer about the percentage of additives they used to manufacture fitness balls.
The second most commonly used material to make fitness balls is rubber. But you will rarely find any fitness ball that is made entirely of rubber because latex is added to most of them. However, some people are allergic to latex, so it is in your best interest to buy latex-free fitness balls for your commercial gym.
What are the average sizes of fitness balls?
Fitness balls are available in a variety of sizes. The 4 most commonly manufactured sizes are 45cm, 55cm, 65cm, and 75cm. Their variety of sizes are made to accommodate all types of users.
The size of a fitness ball is determined by its diameter. You can measure the size by wrapping a measuring tape about a fully inflated ball. The suitable size is determined according to the height of the user and the exercise that needs to be performed.
To choose the size of the ball that is best for you, sit on it and analyze the position of your knees. If they are above your thighs, you need a bigger ball and vice versa. Ideally, your thighs and knees should be at the same level.
Here is the general scheme of fitness ball size:
| Ball size | User height |
| 45cm (mini) | Below 5’ |
| 55cm (small) | 5’ to 5’8” |
| 65cm (medium) | 5’9” to 6’2” |
| 75cm (large) | Above 6’3” |
Large size balls are used only in the following cases:
- The user has long legs
- User suffers from back issues
- User is overweight
- The ball is required only for stretching exercises
For people with short height and low BMI, small balls are suitable. If you are unsure about the size that will perfectly suit your requirements, you can estimate the size by following the steps given below:
- Squat adjacent to a wall, thighs should be parallel to the ground and knees should be bent at the right angle
- Mark the level of your hip
- Measure the distance between the hip mark and the floor
- This distance should be the diameter of your fitness ball
Also remember that if you do not find a ball whose diameter is equal to the measured distance, you can also buy a ball with a little less or higher diameter because it can be adjustable by releasing some air.
Does the weight of a fitness ball affect its quality?
Yes, the weight of the fitness ball is a big determinant of its quality. Generally, the higher the weight of the ball, the better the quality of the ball will be.
Always check the product description to know and compare the weight of the fitness ball among your chosen options to estimate the quality. If the weight is not given in the description, ask the manufacturer about it.
How to test the burst-resistant feature of a fitness ball?
All fitness balls are usually labeled as burst-resistant or anti-burst. This property reduces the chance of injury because they do not usually pop and in case of a puncture, they slowly deflate.
Manufacturing Material
This property depends a lot on the manufacturing material. The better the materials, the more burst resistance the ball will be. Besides material, the structure of the ball also plays an important role in this feature. For instance, Swiss balls have a honeycomb structure that avoids explosion by preventing overinflation, cracks, or punctures. Besides the honeycomb structure, some fitness balls have a keel-like explosion-resistant feature that makes the ball tough and rigid.
Thickness
Another important factor that determines the burst resistance property of a fitness ball is thickness. The thicker the ball, the more durable and burst resistance it will be. Therefore, always avoid buying thin and lightweight balls.
If possible, you should always check the anti-burst property of the ball before buying it. It ensures that your users will be safe while using them which is important to maintain the reputation of your commercial gym.
Lastly, keep in mind the burst resistance balls can also burst in some cases. It usually happens when balls are too old and are not maintained properly. Therefore, make sure that your clients check the quality of the ball before using them. If there are any signs of wear and tear, you should replace the ball immediately. Make sure that there are no objects placed around the fitness ball that can hurt the user if they fall. Fitness balls are manufactured for indoor use only.
Do fitness balls slip?
If the fitness ball has an anti-slip feature, then it would not slip. This feature is essential to prevent injuries and for the overall safety of the user. Non-slip fitness balls offer more control to the user so they can exercise comfortably.
The texture of the fitness ball tells a lot about its anti-slip feature. The balls should be smooth to move them around but that smoothness should not make them slippery.
If a ball is too smooth, it will be unsafe to use. Whereas, if a ball is too sticky, it will be rigid and will catch dirt very easily.
What is the average weight holding capacity of a fitness ball?
The weight holding capacity of a fitness ball is the weight it can hold without bursting. The weight holding capacity of a fitness ball depends on its quality. You will find fitness balls with varying levels of maximum weight holding capacity.
The capacity of a ball to hold still weight differs a lot from moving weight. In technical terms, the non-moving weight holding capacity of a fitness ball is called the static weight limit. Whereas, the moving weight supported by the ball is called bodyweight limit. It can also be called the weight of the exercising individual.
Average quality balls have an average weight holding capacity of 113kg or 250lbs. Heavy-duty commercial quality balls have a bodyweight limit of 500lbs and a static weight limit of 2200lbs.
How do I make sure that a fitness ball is durable?
If you want to make sure that your fitness ball will stay the same even after a lot of usages, buy a thick ball. Thin and flimsy balls are not suitable for commercial usage.
Even if you buy the best quality ball, it is not going to last your whole life. They have a limit of usage. Experts recommend that a fitness ball should be discarded after one year of continuous usage.
How do I inflate a fitness ball?
Inflating a fitness ball is not a hectic task. Most manufacturers sell an inflating pump with the fitness ball and depending on its quality you can use that or buy a better one. Fitness balls can also be inflated using a bike pump or air compressor.
Remember that you will always have to inflate the fitness ball yourself. Manufacturers do not ship inflated balls to reduce shipping costs and to avoid the risks of bursting during transportation.
Never inflate your ball more than the recommended diameter. In fact, manufacturers do not recommend fully inflating the ball right after you take it out of the box. Instead, you should inflate 80% of the ball, leave it overnight and then inflate it to the required diameter.
Follow the steps below to perfectly inflate your fitness ball:
- Mark the diameter of the ball on a wall. For example, if your ball’s diameter is supposed to be 55cm, mark a point 55cm above the floor.
- Place the ball next to the mark and start inflating it. Continue doing so until the top of the ball reaches that mark.
- Sit on the ball to estimate its bounciness. Ideally, it should bounce 2 to 3 inches.
How often do I need to inflate a fitness ball?
All fitness balls start losing air after some time until a point comes when they cannot be used because they lose their bounciness. Don’t worry, it is not a sign of poor quality, it’s natural for all fitness balls. However, that does not mean that you often need to inflate the ball. If that happens, it means that your ball is not of the best quality.
No one can tell you a time frame when you would need to inflate the ball again. This is because it depends a lot on the type of the ball and the exercise performed using it. Additionally, the environmental conditions of your locality such as the humidity and temperature also influence this property.
Does a fitness ball have an odor?
The odor of a fitness ball tells a lot about its quality and the type of manufacturing material. If your fitness ball is producing a lot of smell, it means that its quality is not good because high-quality manufacturing materials do not produce a strong smell. To estimate the quality of the ball, you can check its GS certificate that is given after the TUV test.
Does color affect the performance of fitness balls?
The color of the fitness ball indirectly affects its performance. According to psychologists, dark and dull colors can negatively affect our mood while vibrant colors can brighten our mood. It also applies to the color of the fitness balls.
If you use brightly colored fitness balls, you will be motivated to do your exercise. Whereas, dull colors can distract you from exercise.
Do fitness balls come with any accessories?
Yes, fitness balls are sold with multiple accessories depending on the manufacturer. One of the most common accessories is the inflating pump. Other than that, you might find exercise bands, measuring tape, ring stands, and ball handles being sold with fitness balls.
While choosing for accessories to be bought with fitness balls, carefully analyze your requirements. For users who have to inflate and deflate the balls often for storage or travel purposes, we recommend buying an electric pump. It will make it easier for you to inflate your fitness ball.
What are the important factors to consider while buying fitness balls?
Remember the following points while choosing fitness balls for your commercial gym:
- Compare multiple types of fitness balls and choose the thickest and heaviest ones.
- They should not be too slippery or too sticky
- Avoid buying fitness balls containing latex or any other type of toxic materials.
- Buy fitness balls of multiple sizes to accommodate all types of users in your commercial gym.
- If possible, ask for a sample ball and perform an anti-burst test on that. If sample checking is not possible, ask your manufacturer to send a video of the anti-burst test.
- The seal or the stopper of the fitness ball should be hard to pull out. It ensures that the air will not leak.
- Prefer ordering electric pumps with fitness balls instead of a hand pump or foot pump. They are easier to use.
- Do not fully inflate your ball for the first time. Allow it to rest overnight after 80% inflation.
Conclusion
We completely understand that it is hard to choose a fitness ball especially if you are buying it for the first time. After reading our detailed buying guide, you must have cleared all your confusion.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us and we will try our best to guide you out. In case you are ready to make your purchase, contact us for a customized price quote now!
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