Which size ball?

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-04-2003
Which size ball?
4
Wed, 01-19-2005 - 9:25pm
This is for all the people that own exercise balls. How do you know which size is best for you? Is it the type of exercise you do or my size ? I am doing Pilates and various ab exercises and Walmart is selling a kit with Pilates mat, blocks, strech band and a 55 cm ball. Looks like something I would like but how do I know if this ball is not to small for me?
Martina
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-17-2005
In reply to: petzie67
Wed, 01-19-2005 - 10:40pm

Hi Martina! I can't give you an answer on what size exercise ball to use but I'm curious to see what others have to say. I've seen that kit you're talking about and thought about getting one myself. Looks like it's a pretty good deal if you price it all seperately. :) Have you seen the oblong ball they have? That sounds interesting too but I can't figure out if it would work as well.

Bobbey

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-28-2003
In reply to: petzie67
Wed, 01-19-2005 - 11:00pm

I found this tasty little tidbit online for you....

Selecting The Correct Size Exercise Ball

Choose the Exercise Ball that is right for you based on your height and what you intend to use it for. When sitting on the ball, your thighs should be parallel or a little above parallel to the floor, with your knees level or a little below the height of your hips. A ball used for exercise should be firm. A ball you will sit on should be softer. You should never need to inflate the exercise ball above the maximum diameter if you have selected the correct size ball.
YOUR HEIGHT MAXIMUM DIAMETER OF BALL
FOR EXERCISE FOR SITTING

Up to 5' 2" (Up to 1.6 m) 45 cm (18") 55 cm (21 1/2")

5' 2" to 5' 8" (1.6 m to 1.75 m) 55 cm (21 1/2") 65 cm (25 1/2")

5' 8" to 6' 2" (1.75 m to 1.9 m) 65 cm (25 1/2") 75 cm (29 1/2")

Over 6' 2" (Over 1.9 m) 75 cm (29 1/2") 85 cm (33")

Enjoy and good luck! The ball is the best piece of equipment I have in my arsenal....

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-19-2005
In reply to: petzie67
Wed, 01-19-2005 - 11:00pm
I used to use a ball for sit-ups (crunches) at the gym, and it was about as big around as if I made a large circle with both arms, touching fingertips in front... not sure about measurements, but it worked well because it was big enough that I could lean back more as my abs got stronger.... hope this helps!!
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
In reply to: petzie67
Thu, 01-20-2005 - 4:49pm
Hi Martina- the suggestion and chart that modanogrrrl gave seems like a good place to start. I'm not all that great with measurements, but the ball I have comes up to just above

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