If you want to tone and strengthen your abs, an exercise ball offers options for many exercises that can help. Before running out to buy the nearest ab exercise ball, however, it helps to take a few factors into consideration. Once you know what to look for, you can find the best ab exercise ball for your body and exercise goals.
Size
Most ab exercise balls come in three to four sizes. To find the right size ab exercise ball for your body, sit on the ball with your feet resting on the floor. On the right size ball, your knees will be bent at about a 90-degree angle when your feet touch the ground. If you're between 5 feet 1 inch and 5 feet 7 inches tall, MayoClinic.com recommends a 55-cm ball. If you're between 5 feet 8 inches and 6 feet 1 inch tall, try a 65-cm ball. For people 6 feet 2 inches or taller, try a 75-cm ball.
Features
Ab balls are usually made of PVC -- polyvinyl chloride, which is flexible yet durable and strong. Exercise balls come in different textures and thicknesses. Less expensive ab balls tend to be thinner and can be slippery on certain hard floors. Exercise balls with rougher surfaces can help you stay in one place while doing ab exercises. The American Council on Exercise advises beginners, seniors and overweight people use a larger, softer ball for ab exercises. The softer the ball, the easier it will be to perform ab exercises.
Pressure
Air pressure makes a difference in the firmness and usability of your ab ball. The more air pressure, the firmer your ball will be. Advanced exercisers or those looking for a challenging ab workout should opt for a firm ball. If you are a beginner, you may want to let some air out of your ab ball to allow it to slightly deflate, MayoClinic.com advises. As you become stronger and can more easily navigate your exercise ball, you can add air back.
Cost
Ab exercise balls range in cost from $10 to $99 as of 2011. The price of the ball depends on the brand, thickness, size, texture and pressure. If you are allergic to latex, some balls are latex-free. Some ab balls are inflatable and also require pumps, which are sold separately, usually for around $25. Inflatable balls are often less expensive than already inflated balls.
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