[55cm Heights up to 5'6", 65cm 5'6" to 5'11", 75cm 5'11" and above]
After researching a number of stability balls, I settled on the Weider because it’s latex-free and it seemed to be everything I need at an affordable price. Having had a chance to inspect it further, I find that it’s not without its drawbacks.
First, there’s no tape measure or other measuring device included in the box, so it’s important that you have one handy. (Or, if you’re like me and misplaced your measuring tape, you can measure a length of ribbon and use that.)
Next is the included pump. At the time of this writing, a foot pump is specified in the description, but it’s actually a hand pump that looks much like a syringe. When you screw on the pump’s tip, you insert it into the ball and start pushing the handle like crazy. And let me tell you, it’s a workout in and of itself.
My arms wore out about 15 minutes (and less than a quarter inflated) later, so I decided to use my own foot pump which worked much better, but still took another 30 minutes to finish. This brings me to my next point: Although the instructions say be careful of over-inflating, they don’t say that it’s incredibly easy to under-inflate. A few times when I thought the ball *looked* done and felt done to the touch, I realized I still had a good way to go.
A note about measurements: the 75cm in the ball’s description refers to the ball’s diameter, which can easily be ascertained by measuring the ball’s circumference (circling the entire ball from its middle) and dividing it by 3.142. So, for a 75cm ball, you’re looking for a circumference of about 235cm–if it’s too much less than that, you’re not done inflating.
When I finished inflating, the first thing I did was inspect the ball for any noticeable defects. While they seemed minor, there were a few spots where the ball’s outer seal appeared to be peeling off and it made me wonder if those areas of the ball where thinner/weaker than the remaining areas of the ball. These are likely negligible, but I’ll be certain to update this review if something should develop from it.
The size was just right for my 5′11″ frame, but I must admit I was a bit nervous to rest my full weight on the ball, although I am well under the specified 250lb weight limit. Good news: the ball didn’t explode, even after a few cautionary bounces. Still, it doesn’t feel as industrial strength as a few other stability balls I’ve used in the past. That said, I would stick primarily to exercises which don’t require resting too much body weight on the ball at a time. This may not be a problem for lighter individuals (think under 125 lbs).
A nice touch, however, was the included pamphlet of exercises. Easy to follow, but I do wish it were a bit larger for easier reference while working out.
Rating: 3 / 5
Product Features (from the back of the box):
* 75cm Exercise Ball
* Exercise Chart
* Hand Pump
* Latex Free
* 250lb Max User Weight
[55cm Heights up to 5'6", 65cm 5'6" to 5'11", 75cm 5'11" and above]
After researching a number of stability balls, I settled on the Weider because it’s latex-free and it seemed to be everything I need at an affordable price. Having had a chance to inspect it further, I find that it’s not without its drawbacks.
First, there’s no tape measure or other measuring device included in the box, so it’s important that you have one handy. (Or, if you’re like me and misplaced your measuring tape, you can measure a length of ribbon and use that.)
Next is the included pump. At the time of this writing, a foot pump is specified in the description, but it’s actually a hand pump that looks much like a syringe. When you screw on the pump’s tip, you insert it into the ball and start pushing the handle like crazy. And let me tell you, it’s a workout in and of itself.
My arms wore out about 15 minutes (and less than a quarter inflated) later, so I decided to use my own foot pump which worked much better, but still took another 30 minutes to finish. This brings me to my next point: Although the instructions say be careful of over-inflating, they don’t say that it’s incredibly easy to under-inflate. A few times when I thought the ball *looked* done and felt done to the touch, I realized I still had a good way to go.
A note about measurements: the 75cm in the ball’s description refers to the ball’s diameter, which can easily be ascertained by measuring the ball’s circumference (circling the entire ball from its middle) and dividing it by 3.142. So, for a 75cm ball, you’re looking for a circumference of about 235cm–if it’s too much less than that, you’re not done inflating.
When I finished inflating, the first thing I did was inspect the ball for any noticeable defects. While they seemed minor, there were a few spots where the ball’s outer seal appeared to be peeling off and it made me wonder if those areas of the ball where thinner/weaker than the remaining areas of the ball. These are likely negligible, but I’ll be certain to update this review if something should develop from it.
The size was just right for my 5′11″ frame, but I must admit I was a bit nervous to rest my full weight on the ball, although I am well under the specified 250lb weight limit. Good news: the ball didn’t explode, even after a few cautionary bounces. Still, it doesn’t feel as industrial strength as a few other stability balls I’ve used in the past. That said, I would stick primarily to exercises which don’t require resting too much body weight on the ball at a time. This may not be a problem for lighter individuals (think under 125 lbs).
A nice touch, however, was the included pamphlet of exercises. Easy to follow, but I do wish it were a bit larger for easier reference while working out.
Rating: 3 / 5