Gym Balls

Gym balls are quietly one of the most-used items in a leisure centre — core classes, pre and post-natal sessions, physiotherapy referrals, stretching areas and PT all reach for the same equipment. They cost very little and they get used every day, which is a rare combination.

Sizing

Size is chosen by the user's height, not by preference. Sitting on the ball, the hips and knees should sit at roughly ninety degrees with feet flat on the floor:

• 55cm — suits most users up to around 5ft 5in.
• 65cm — the general-purpose size for most adults, roughly 5ft 6in to 6ft.
• 75cm — for taller users, above roughly 6ft.

A studio running mixed classes generally wants a spread of all three rather than a stack of one size, so instructors can match the ball to the person in front of them.

Storage

Gym balls take up an absurd amount of floor space for their weight and they roll. A freestanding gym ball rack stacks them vertically against a wall, which keeps a studio usable and stops balls drifting into class space mid-session.

Care

Keep balls away from anything sharp on the floor, check inflation regularly rather than waiting for someone to point it out, and wipe down between classes. See also yoga and Pilates and studio equipment.

All prices are shown excluding VAT, which is calculated at checkout.