Exercise Ball History

Exercise balls, also called stability or Physio balls, are popular fitness tools in homes and gyms. The popularity of these large, rubber balls stems from their versatility and convenience. Exercise balls are inexpensive and can be used for strength and balance training. Although they are used extensively in the U.S., exercise balls came from Europe.

The Pezzi Ball

Aquilino Cosani, an Italian plastics manufacturer, developed the first exercise ball in 1963. He made a large, rubber, air-filled ball that was puncture-resistant. The first exercise balls were called Pezzi Gymnastik balls and Cosani developed the ball as a toy for children. You can still purchase the Gymnastik brand of exercise balls.

The Swiss Ball

Exercise balls are also called Swiss balls. Mary Quinton, a British physiotherapist working in Switzerland, along with Elseth Kong, created pediatric neurological rehab programs using the Pezzi ball. They used the balls to treat infants and newborns using the Bobath method of exercise, which helps a patient progress through various body positions focusing on body manipulation and points of muscle control.

Physical Therapy Ball

Susanne Klein-Vogelbach next used the Swiss ball on adults. She is one of the founding directors of a physical therapy school in Basel, Switzerland. Klein-Vogelback treated adults with orthopedic problems by using the ball for back rehabilitation and other medical conditions. In 1989, physical therapists from the U.S. witnessed the use of the Swiss ball for rehabilitation and brought this knowledge back to the states.

The Exercise Ball Today

The ball exercises that physical therapists used to treat orthopedic conditions eventually made their way into the athletic and fitness fields. Today, exercise balls are used in gyms, homes, boot camps and training studios for a variety of strength, functional and balance exercises. Yoga and Pilates studios also incorporate exercise balls into their programs.
An exercise ball costs between $15 and $60, as of March 2011. A burst-resistant ball is more expensive because it is designed to deflate slowly if punctured, making it safer.