Intensify your ab workout with a fitness or exercise ball. Exercise balls are firm, inflated balls sized to fit your frame. Use a stability ball for situps, crunches and other ab exercises to tone your entire core -- including your back and pelvic muscles. These exercises will improve your posture and balance. The best ball for you is one that fits your frame and is effective for your specific workout.
Fabulous Fit
Before you worry about quality or features, you need to consider size. While stability balls are available in sizes suitable for children or adults, most adults under 5-foot 7 inches will use a 55 cm ball, while you will need a 65 cm exercise ball if you're 5-foot 8 inches to 6-foot 2 inches, according to the American Council on Exercise. Stability balls are available for taller individuals. When seated on a firmly inflated fitness ball, your thighs should be parallel to the floor and your feet flat on the floor.
Pump It Up
Inflatable stability balls include a pump in the box. Lower quality, less expensive balls typically come with a small, challenging foot pump. The pump may wear out before the ball, and filling the ball can be tiring and time consuming. Better quality balls include a sturdier hand pump, less prone to breakage or damage. You can also use a small air compressor or pump you already own with your stability ball.
Materials
Stability balls are made of PVC or polyvinyl chloride. Less expensive balls are typically thinner and may be more slippery on slick floors. Higher quality options include burst-resistant balls or slow-deflate balls. These balls are typically thicker and may have a slight surface texture, reducing their tendency to roll around as you work your abs. If you have latex allergies, choose a ball from a reputable manufacturer and be certain that it is free of latex.
Considerations
While sizing guidelines are true for most people, there are times when the best ball for your workout may be smaller or larger. If you're new to stability balls or just starting an exercise plan, a larger, slightly softer ball may help you maintain your balance with less difficulty. As your skills advance you can move to an appropriately sized ball. Once you've been working out with a balance ball regularly, you may find that you prefer a larger or smaller ball to increase the challenge of your workout.
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