If you're looking for an incredibly versatile bit of home exercise kit, look no further than an exercise ball. Also known as gym balls or pilates balls, they can be used for all sorts of workouts and exercises. But their uses don't stop there, many women rely on an exercise ball to help them through pregnancy and birth, offering something comfortable and supportive to lean on.
The virtues of using an exercise ball desk can also particularly benefit those who work long hours at a desk. By replacing your office chair with a gym ball, you can improve your core strength, balance and posture. There are plenty of options to choose from, so we've helped narrow your search by ranking the top 10 best exercise balls online in the UK from Amazon, eBay, Argos and Decathlon!
Quick List - Top Exercise Balls
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Exercise balls, with their huge range of uses and applications, come in a few different forms. Clever technology and little extras will make your exercise ball easier to use. In this guide, we're here to highlight the top things that are worth looking for.
Exercise balls aren't a one-size-fits-all piece of equipment. Before you buy, it's important to make sure the ball you pick is suitable for your height and weight. Here's how to find an appropriately sized exercise ball.
The size of exercise ball you go for is going to be dependant on its purpose. The smallest exercise balls, sometimes called pilates balls, are around 20cm. The size of a pilates ball doesn't need to vary hugely regardless of your height, as they are not used to support your full body weight.
The bigger exercise balls, ones that you can sit on and fully lean into, will depend slightly more on your height. You'll get a bit of flexibility due to the fact you can blow up your exercise ball more or less depending on what feels the most comfortable, but it's still worth seeking out the right one.
To help you find the perfect ball for you, here are some general size recommendations for height. Those under 160 cm should use a 55 cm ball, whereas those between 160 cm and 178 cm should opt for a 65 cm ball. People between 178 cm and 193 cm tall will want to opt for a 75 cm ball, and anyone taller than that should pick a ball with an 85 cm diameter.
Exercise balls are a lot like extra strong balloons. Most are reinforced with anti-burst technology, but it is important to remember for everyone's safety that they do have an upper weight limit and can break if this is not adhered to.
Weight limits vary massively from one gym ball to another. Some can be as high as 1000 kg, a weight you're unlikely to be able to exert unless doing weighted exercises. On the other hand, some exercise balls have a limit of about 100 kg.
Those that have a lower weight limit are usually more stretchy and bouncy. These qualities do have their advantages depending on what you plan on using the ball for, but if you are heavier than 100 kg it's worth checking the ball you're buying.
Some exercise balls will come with a tape measure included. Which is a handy extra what's certainly worth looking for.
Using a tape measure allows you to see whether you're blowing up your exercise ball to the right size, preventing it from getting damaged from over-inflation. It also means you'll have an idea of your preferred firmness that you can return to each time it needs re-inflating.
You might have made the perfectly fair assumption that an exercise 'ball' only comes in a spherical shape. Although this is true for the vast majority of products, it isn't the only shape available.
For more support around your sides, you might want to opt for a peanut-shaped gym ball. These look a bit like two exercise balls have been stuck together, allowing you to lie in the middle knowing you won't fall off. However, these balls don't challenge your balance in the same way, and can't be used for as many activities.
You will notice that most exercise balls have raised rings around them, normally covering the entire thing. This added texture provides grip, so when you're carefully positioned atop your gym ball, you will be able to focus on maintaining your balance and staying strong, instead of slipping off.
Some balls are less likely to have ribbing than others, like smaller pilates balls and exercise balls designed for pregnancy. This because the type of exercises they're intended for mean you probably aren't going to fall off, and ribbing could make them uncomfortable.
You may already have a small bicycle pump that will work just fine for inflating your new ball. But if you don't, it's a great idea to buy one that comes with a pump included.
Even if you do have a more general pump, using one that's specially designed for a specific exercise ball will means that the nozzle will fit perfectly, making the process very simple. These pumps are usually smaller, which is a plus when it comes to storing it, and can be operated either by hand or by foot.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Phyllexi Exercise Ball | ![]() | This Ball Has It All and Does It All | |
2 | Tresko Exercise Ball | ![]() | A Huge Range of Sizes Means There's Something for Everyone | |
3 | Reebok Elements Gym Ball | ![]() | Gym-Level Quality in the Comfort of Your Own Home | |
4 | nbf Birthing Ball & Pump | ![]() | The Best Exercise Ball for Pregnancy and Beyond | |
5 | Gonex Fitness Exercise Ball | ![]() | Get Started Quickly With a Handy Workout Guide | |
6 | Opti Peanut Gym Ball | ![]() | A Peanut-Shape Gym Ball That Will Help You Stay in Place | |
7 | Trideer Soft Pilates Ball | ![]() | A Small Exercise Ball That's Perfect for Pilates | |
8 | DumanAsen Exercise Ball | ![]() | A Great Introduction to Exercise Balls for Beginners | |
9 | Sissel Gym Ball Sercuremax | ![]() | Unexpected Bursting Won't Be an Issue With This Ball | |
10 | Opti Gym Ball | ![]() | A Big Gym Ball at a Small Price |
This ball comes with pretty much everything you could possibly want. An easy-to-use pump? Check. Tools for putting the stopper in? Check. A guide in both paper and digital formats to get you started on your exercise ball? Check!
Available in 4 different sizes and a choice of colours, those above 100 kg don't need to be fearful about fully exerting themselves as this exercise ball can withstand up to 1004 kg! For an exercise ball that you can use comfortably and safely wherever you want, this is the option for you.
No matter what your height or size, this exercise ball will have you sorted! Available in 4 different sizes spanning from 55 cm to 85 cm, even the tallest and shortest will be able to find an exercise ball that works for them.
This ball can be used in any setting, from rhythmic gymnastics to the office. What may also catch your attention is this ball's enormously high weight limit. While this does sound too good to be true, you can rest assured knowing you can exert an awful lot of pressure on this ball without it breaking.
Reebok is a name that both sports enthusiasts, and those who aren't, will recognise. With this ball, they use their expert knowledge to create gym-quality exercise equipment that you can use in your own home.
A pump and measuring tape are both included, so you don't have to worry about sourcing anything else. Considering it does come from such a recognisable name, this exercise ball is very good value for money, making it all the more appealing.
Gym balls are generally very versatile and can be used in many different settings, but it's completely understandable if you're expecting and you want nothing but the best. This ball has been designed with use during pregnancy in mind. Because of this, safety has been made a main priority.
To show you the ropes, an instruction booklet outlining a full set of prenatal and postnatal exercises is included, as well as a tape measure and pump so you can get everything feeling just right.
We humans come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, so it's helpful when exercise balls do the same. With this exercise ball, you have a choice of 3 different diameters, meaning everyone can find one that works for them.
To help you blow your exercise ball up, this product doesn't just come with a pump, but also tools to assist you with putting the stopper in, a job which can be quite challenging. There's even a workout guide that you can use to get you started!
This peanut-shaped exercise ball places higher up the ranking for a few reasons. Firstly, it's bigger than the other option, which means it will work for a more diverse range of purposes and people. It also has a bit more ribbing, keeping you where you need to be.
Although, it does loose a few marks. This ball comes with a pump, but it doesn't come with a tape measure, and whilst the ball might be a bit bigger, the weight limit is not high enough for everyone to be able to use it.
Pilates enthusiasts will know that there are a few pieces of equipment that are going to take your sessions to the next level, and this ball is one of them! The smaller size not only works well for certain exercises, but makes for a cost-effective ball that's easy to store. You won't even need a pump as you can inflate this ball with your mouth.
However, a ball of this size is less versatile. For example, you won't be able to use it to sit on, whether that's for pregnancy-related exercises or as a replacement office chair.
For those who are new to exercise balls, this peanut-shaped option is a great place to start. Its shape offers a good amount of stability, to help beginners find the balance easily. Better yet, you can get started immediately thanks to the included pump.
That said, this peanut-shaped gym ball is on the smaller side, only coming to 45 cm in height. This will be fine if you're not particularly tall, but others might struggle with it being so low to the ground.
The clever technology used in this ball means that if it gets nicked or hits something sharp, it won't burst and injure you. Instead, it will slowly deflate, meaning that you'll be gently made aware of any punctures, without being put in danger.
Unfortunately, this gym ball lacks grip because it doesn't have ribbing in the centre. From some angles, this won't be an issue, but when it's used in certain positions you might notice that you slip off more than you would like.
Here is an affordable way to make your workouts a bit more interesting and effective. The price of this ball is definitely a big positive, but that aside, its larger size will be suited to taller users, or those who want something to use as a seat at a desk.
Just be aware that the weight limit is quite low at only 100 kg. So be careful if you know you are going to be applying a lot of force to it during your workout.
Finally, you might want to use an exercise ball as a replacement for your desk chair. This might seem like a strange idea, but there are a huge number of benefits to making the change.
By forcing you to sit upright, you'll be working on your posture without realising it. The slight lack of stability, whilst not enough to distract you, will also have you gently working your muscles throughout the day.
An exercise ball is a great place to start when it comes to buying fitness equipment for your home. They work on those core muscles you need to support you throughout all your other activities, but what then? Here are some ideas for additional exercise equipment to expand your at-home gym, and help you smash your fitness goals!
Once you've opened your mind to all the benefits of using an exercise ball, it's difficult to avoid the temptation to get one. Whether you're doing an intense workout, or just sitting on it, all of these options have many advantages that will keep you stronger and healthier!
Author: Emma Cramp
No. 1: Phyllexi|Exercise Ball
No. 2: Tresko|Exercise Ball
No. 3: Reebok|Elements Gym Ball
No. 4: nbf|Birthing Ball & Pump
No. 5: Gonex|Fitness Exercise Ball
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