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Of course, we all want to stay in shape, especially after a long period of being at home and working from home a lot.
And you don't even have to do that much; you can - even while working from home - make your body stronger and keep it nice and flexible!
But also if you need a good workout, want to practice yoga or Pilates... It all starts with a good one fitness score
In this post I am going to take you to the fitness balls world and show you my top 10 of the best fitness balls.
My overall best fitness ball is the Rockerz Fitness ball. Why? I really liked the purple-purple color, the price was attractive and I use it myself, because I'm a real yoga and pilates fan!
I'll tell you more about my own favorite ball in a moment, but first let me tell you what to look for when choosing your fitness ball.
| best fitness ball | Image |
|---|---|
| Overall best fitness ball: the Rockerz Fitness ball | 
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| Best budget fitness ball: Focus Fitness gym ball | 
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| Most complete fitness ball: Tunturi Fitness Set | 
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| Best mini fitness ball: Thera Band Pilates Bal | 
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| Best fitness ball with seat cushion: Flexisports 4-in-1 | 
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| Best half fitness ball: Turtle Fitness | 
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| Best weighted fitness ball: Sveltus Medicine Ball | 
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| Best Crossfit fitness ball: slam ball | 
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| Best Medicine fitness ball: Tunturi Medicine Ball | 
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| Best set of small Pilates ball: DuoBakersport | 
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What we discuss in this comprehensive post:
- 1 Fitness ball buying guide – what do you pay attention to?
- 2 The best fitness balls reviewed
- 2.1 Overall best fitness ball: the Rockerz Fitness ball
- 2.2 Best budget fitness ball: Focus Fitness gym ball
- 2.3 Most complete fitness ball: Tunturi Fitness Set
- 2.4 Best Mini Fitness Ball: Thera-Band Pilates Bal
- 2.5 Best Fitness Ball with Seat Cushion: Flexisports 4-in-1
- 2.6 Best half fitness ball: Schildkröt Fitness
- 2.7 Best Weighted Fitness Ball: Sveltus Medicine Ball
- 2.8 Best Crossfit fitness ball: Slamball
- 2.9 Best Medicine Fitness Ball: Tunturi Medicine Ball
- 2.10 Best set of small Pilates ball: DuoBakkersport
- 3 Fitness ball as a replacement office chair
- 4 Fitness ball for when you are pregnant
- 5 Facts about the fitness ball
- 6 Conclusion
Fitness ball buying guide – what do you pay attention to?
Know what you are going to use the fitness ball for before you buy one.
You can do yoga and Pilates exercises with most fitness balls, and you can also use these as a muscle-strengthening 'desk chair', just like I do!
(So if you are like me, someone who spends a lot of time in front of the computer: this is a MUST HAVE!)
But there are also other types of fitness balls: think for example of small fitness balls to train your tired hands and heavy fitness 'Medicine' balls to recover from injuries or to train strength.
In my top 10 you will also come across a cool Crossfit ball.
The points that you should pay attention to when buying a fitness ball are as follows.
Diameter of the ball (note your height)
Body height/diameter:
- Up to 155 cm = Ø 45 cm
- From 155 cm-165 cm = Ø 55 cm
- From 166 cm-178 cm = Ø 65 cm
- From 179 cm-190 cm = Ø 75 cm
- From 190 cm = Ø 90 cm
Purpose
What do you want to be able to do with it, maybe more than one thing? Or would you like a collection of fitness balls so that you have the right ball for every type of training?
Sporty level
Does the ball match your level and can you reach your goal with it? Consider, for example, the weight of the ball: the heavier, the more intensive the training.
Material
Does the ball have to be made of hypoallergenic material? Do you want it to last extra long, or have the best grip?
Weight
The weight of the ball depends on what you are going to do with it.
For a sitting ball, the weight does not matter much, although it is nice if it is easy to handle.
For a medicine ball or Crossfit ball, the weight depends on the workout. You may want a pair of different weights for a complete workout.
The best fitness balls reviewed
You see, there are a lot of different fitness balls available. Now that you know a little better what you're looking for, I'll now discuss my favorite fitness balls in each category.
Overall best fitness ball: the Rockerz Fitness ball
This excellent Rockerz Fitness ball serves many purposes.
The ball is mainly used for fitness and Pilates exercises, so you will also find it in the gym.
But do you want to do your fitness exercises at home or not collapse while working at home?
The Rockerz Fitness Ball improves your balance and certainly also strength during work and sports and can provide a pleasant back massage.
This lightweight fitness ball is suitable for training the abdomen, legs, buttocks, arms and back. It is also often used in injury recovery.
It is also a great solution for the pregnant ladies among us. If you can no longer sit comfortably during your pregnancy, you can 'wiggle' a bit on this ball to stay flexible.
This ball is made of pleasant to the touch, skin-friendly PVC and hypoallergenic material, which I think is a big plus!
It is easy to inflate, and it is also nice that the sealing cap simply disappears into the ball itself. So you will not feel it during use.
Here are tips for correctly inflating a fitness ball:
A hand pump and even an extra cap are included.
- Diameter: 65 cm
- For persons with a height: from 166 cm to 178 cm
- Purpose: Yoga – Pilates – office chair – recovery workouts – pregnancy chair
- Sports Level: All Levels
- Material: skin-friendly and hypoallergenic PVC
- Weight: 1 kg
Best budget fitness ball: Focus Fitness gym ball
With the budget-friendly Focus Fitness Gym ball you can perform all muscle strengthening exercises just as well as with the Rockerz fitness ball.
However, this Focus Fitness Gym Ball has a diameter of 55 cm and is therefore suitable for the smaller adults among us, up to 1.65.
This diameter is especially important if you want to sit on the ball, during work or during your pregnancy, you have to be able to reach your feet well to avoid rolling over.
But you can also do a full workout with it, this video will give you inspiration:
The Focus Fitness is even available in the size 45 cm in diameter, but also in 65 and 75 cm in diameter.
It will probably last a little less than the Rockerz ball, but if you are not going to use the ball intensively, that will not be a problem.
- Diameter: 55 cm
- For persons with a height: Up to 16m cm
- Purpose: Yoga – Pilates – office chair – recovery workouts – pregnancy chair
- Sports Level: All Levels
- Material: PVC
- Weight: 500 g
Most complete fitness ball: Tunturi Fitness Set
Not only sit very comfortably behind your desk with this Tunturi Fitness Set, but also work on your balance and your strength.
And because a set with 5 fitness bands is included, you can train very extensively. (The other fitness balls in my list do not include fitness bands!)
These resistance bands have colors to distinguish them from each other: Yellow (Extra Light) | Red (Light) | Green (Medium)| Blue (Heavy) | Black (Extra heavy) and are made from natural latex.
Read more about the versatility of resistance bands in my review of the best fitness elastics.
The gym ball itself is suitable for doing various fitness exercises to strengthen and stretch your muscles.
With the bands you can do your squats and lunges, train your arm muscles and back muscles and do floor exercises such as crunches and leg exercises, so that you can organize a complete workout at home.
As heavy as you want.
Please note: this size is suitable for very tall people and can bear a maximum weight of 120 kg!
So choose a different size if you are shorter than 190 cm. This ball is also available in a diameter of 45 – 55 – 65 – 75 cm.
- Diameter: 90 cm
- For persons with a height: From 190 cm
- Purpose: Yoga – Pilates – office chair – recovery workouts – strength training
- Sports Level: All Levels
- Material: Vinyl
- Weight: 1.5 – 2 kg
Best Mini Fitness Ball: Thera-Band Pilates Bal
The Thera-Band Pilates Ball 26cm is very suitable for deep relaxation, but also for strengthening the muscles.
It is available in 3 different sizes and colours:
- ø 18 (red)
- ø 22 (blue)
- ø 26 (grey)
All three very small, if you compare them with the usual fitness sitting balls such as the Rockerz Fitness ball, the Focus Fitness, and the Tunturi ball.
Its function is also very different from the 'sit balls'. The best thing about this small size ball is what it does for your back.
If you lie with your back on it and you can massage your spine in several places, just like with a good foam roller.
But even if you find relaxation in 'only' lying on the ball (on your back), your connective tissue can benefit enormously from this.
Here Bob & Brad who explain exactly which exercises you can do with such a ball:
- Diameter: 26 cm
- For people with a height: All heights
- Goal: Relaxation, training abdominal muscles and relaxation of the spine
- Sports Level: All Levels
- Material: Vinyl
- Weight: 164 g
Best Fitness Ball with Seat Cushion: Flexisports 4-in-1
This 35 cm - Sitting ball is a completely different kind of Fitness ball than my previous 'sitting balls' and therefore much smaller, but I just LOVE IT!
I'll tell you what you can do with it: it's too low to sit at a desk, though. But your overall endurance will increase with daily use of this ball.
This versatile 4 in 1 set will help you improve your body, train your glutes, leg muscles and abs.
It offers you varying fitness exercises, because you have the fitness ball, a ring (which can be used as a step or as a ball holder if you want to sit on it) and the supplied DVD (with more than 200 exercises) that shows you the way.
Minus: the DVD is in German
- Diameter: 35cm
- For people with a height: All heights
- Goal: To train abs, back muscles, but actually to make your whole body stronger and more beautiful.
- Sporty level: All levels, but also suitable for a heavier level
- Material: PVC
- Weight: 3 kg
Best half fitness ball: Schildkröt Fitness
My only 'half ball' from the top 10: The Schildkröt half ball fitness ball is an ideal fitness supplement for every day, and very suitable for training the abs.
You put it on your desk chair to activate the deeper tissue while sitting (but also when you lie on it with your back).
Due to its shape, the vertebrae and the waist are maximally supported during your exercises. Also suitable for stretching vertebrae and chest muscles.
The maximum load capacity is 120 kg.
- Diameter: 16.5 cm
- For people with a height: All heights
- Purpose: All kinds of muscle-strengthening floor exercises such as abdomen, balance and stretching exercises, can be used on an office chair
- Sports Level: All Levels
- Material: Phthalate-free PVC
- Weight: 1.9 kg
Best Weighted Fitness Ball: Sveltus Medicine Ball
If you are looking for a fitness ball to strengthen your upper body, this Sveltus Medicine Ball with double grip is for you.
This ball is very different from the other fitness balls in my top 10, and also not a fitness ball to sit on.
It is a very good option to train a little heavier, and a nice addition or alternative to training with dumbells and ideal to combine with a workout on a good fitness step.
The ball has nice ergonomic handles; in the ball itself, similar to a kettlebell.
- Diameter: 23 cm
- For people with a height: All heights
- Goal: Training the upper body such as biceps, triceps and core, but also suitable for squats
- Sporting Level: Advanced Level
- Material: Solid rubber
- Weight: 4 kg
Best Crossfit fitness ball: Slamball
Crosfit training is done with the 6 kg Slam ball. While slamming on the ground, the ball doesn't roll away, because they have a rough exterior.
The iron sand filling in combination with PVC also ensures that the floor is not damaged.
This is not the same type of ball as the (slightly lighter) Medicine Ball Double Grip, because the weighted ball is not suitable for 'slaming'.
In one workout (indoor or outdoor it doesn't matter!) you can build up your condition, improve your balance and strengthen muscle strength:
The Slamm ball does not bounce, so a lot of (core) muscle strength is needed to pick up the ball and throw it away.
You can also use it as a wall ball, or as a medicine ball.
The Slam balls are available in the following weights: 4 kg, 6 kg, 8 kg, 10 kg, 12 kg.
- Diameter: 21 cm
- For people with a height: All heights
- Goal: Strengthen core arms and back and develop muscles
- Sporting level: Strength training, for advanced athletes
- Material: PVC
- Weight: 6 kg
Also read: Best shin guards for crossfit | compression and protection
Best Medicine Fitness Ball: Tunturi Medicine Ball
One that is often used by physiotherapists, the Tunturi Medicine ball 1 kg, for recovery training.
The medicine ball – which is not a slam ball like the 6 kg Slam ball – is made of a good quality artificial leather and you can already tell by the grip. The ball feels good and feels good in the hand.
Good for doing ball squats, and also for throwing this ball to each other.
The balls are available in five different weights (1 kg – 2 kg – 3 kg – 5 kg).
- Diameter: 15 cm
- For people with a height: All heights
- Goal: Strength training and rehabilitation
- Sports Level: All Levels
- Material: Sturdy black artificial leather
- Weight: 1 kg
Best set of small Pilates ball: DuoBakkersport
Gymnastics ball set for doing Pilates exercises and also suitable for yoga and other types of gymnastics.
The balls are nice and light and soft, and lie well in the hand, they add extra intensity to your workouts.
These balls can also be used to support the feet, back, neck or head, during training, or for the purpose of deep relaxation.
Improve your flexibility, balance, coordination and agility with this set. You can train various muscle groups specifically.
Note: the fitness balls are delivered uninflated, excluding pump.
- Diameter: 16 cm
- For people with a height: All heights
- Purpose: Suitable for Pilates, Yoga to train your arms in a milder way or for deep relaxation
- Sports Level: All Levels
- Material: Durable and environmentally friendly PVC
- Weight: 20 g
Fitness ball as a replacement office chair
If you work a lot at your desk, at home or at the office, a good sitting posture is very important for your body.
When you sit on a fitness ball, your body works on stability and coordination, because you use your abs.
Because your body has to constantly look for that new balance, you automatically train all the smaller muscles in your body.
I also use my fitness ball as a chair, while working at my desk, sometimes I alternate with my office chair.
I like it so much that I actually spend more and more of my working time sitting on the ball.
In addition, it is also mainly to keep fit, and I use it during my Pilates or Yoga exercises.
Fitness ball for when you are pregnant
Would you also like to sit on a fitness ball every now and then during your pregnancy?
When sitting on the ball, make sure that your hips are higher than your knees. This ensures the most optimal position for your baby.
Because your body always has to find the right balance, you unconsciously strengthen your muscles and improve your posture. Pay attention; this is the ultimate gift for your pregnant woman!
Facts about the fitness ball
- Most fitness balls come with a pump, but it takes a long time to inflate a large ball; rather use an electric pump if you can find one!
- Inflate the ball to the maximum with air the first few times. It may take 1 or 2 days for the ball to fully stretch to the correct size.
- Maybe it's not quite right and you need to get some air out afterwards.
- The ball may lose some air over time, then inflate some with a pump.
- Avoid heat sources such as radiators, underfloor heating, behind glass in the sun, painted surfaces.
- Store in a clean, dry place, protected from the sun and at a temperature <25°C.
Conclusion
Those are my favorite fitness balls, I'm sure there is a nice option for you.
For even more effective home training, read also my review for the best fitness treadmill.
