A stability ball is commonly used to tone and tighten the abdominal region. In actuality, the stability ball can be adapted for many uses, including developing core strength, improving posture and facilitating stretching according to the American Council on Exercise. When you want to measure an inflated ball, you need a few tools and some basic math skills. It is important to determine the size of your ball to make sure you inflated it to the right height.
Yardstick Method
Step 1
Inflate your ball by using the hand pump or foot pump that comes with it. Stop when it is firm, and insert the plug.
Step 2
Measure the height of the ball on the wall. For example, if you purchased a 65 cm ball, this comes out to 26 inches. Place the yardstick against the wall and use a pencil to make a small line at the 26-inch mark.
Step 3
Roll the ball close to the wall and place the middle of the yardstick on top. Place the end of the yardstick against the wall, and eyeball it to make sure it is level. Focus on the bottom of the stick to see if it is at the mark you made. If it is, then your ball is the right height. Pull the plug and either inflate or deflate the ball if it is not at the right height. Continue to check until you get it to the right height.
Flexible Tape Measure
Step 1
Inflate your ball until it is firm, and insert the plug.
Step 2
Take out your tape measure, and place one end at the location of the plug. Pin this end down with your thumb or fingers, and wrap the rest of the tape around the ball. Make sure you do this at the ball's widest point.
Step 3
Cross the tape measure over the end of the tape, and read the distance in centimeters. If it matches the correct size ball that you purchased then leave it alone. Otherwise, pull out the plug and inflate or deflate accordingly.
Tips and Warnings
- When you buy a ball, instead of a hand or foot pump, in may come with an adapter to plug into an electric pump.
Things You'll Need
- Yardstick
- Pencil
- Pump
- Flexible tape measure
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