Gymnastic ball: how to choose the size correctly

An effective physical training device that allows you to go in for sports and at home is a gymnastic ball. How to choose the size? It depends on many factors that should be considered when buying this accessory. Today, this sporting projectile is very popular due to its versatility, convenience, ease of use, and affordable price. In addition, these accessories are widely used both for classes with children and future moms, who even in the position tend to keep themselves toned.

The first is weight

Experts advise you to choose the ball with your own weight. The main thing - do not buy a cheap accessory, which not only does not differ in quality, but also, most likely, will not be very convenient for use. It is important that the fitball is elastic and durable - in this case it will be able to withstand your weight.

And if you perform strength training, you need a strong and reliable gymnastic ball. How to choose the size? Remember that high-quality models can withstand loads of more than 300 kg. For children small balls with a diameter of up to 65 cm, which have a sufficient margin of safety, are absolutely suitable, and therefore absolutely safe.

The second is the material

A good fitball should be made of strong materials that have a good electrostatic effect. If the surface of the product is porous, it will absorb the dust and sweat. Therefore it is important to check the smoothness of the material, its elasticity - there should not be wrinkles on the ball. Otherwise, know that before you a defective product that does not help you with sports activities.

How to choose the right ball? Note that the surface is clean, smooth, without protruding seams and bumps. The best materials are PVC and latex.

Growth

The size of the ball directly depends on the growth of the athlete. It is noteworthy, but this sports projectile is suitable for both adults and children. A variety of configurations allows you to select a gymnastic ball suitable for a particular person. How to choose the size?

So, if we proceed from growth, we need shells of the following sizes:

• Up to 155 cm fitball should be a diameter of 45-55 cm;
• With an increase of 155-169 cm, choose balls with a diameter of 55 cm;
• For the growth of 170-185 cm fit fitballs of 65 cm;
• With an increase above 186 cm, the diameter of the ball should be 75 cm.

Arm length

Professional instructors who teach pilates or gymnastics, suggest taking into account the length of the hand in order to correctly pick up a gymnastic ball. How to choose the size in this case?

To determine this parameter, you need to measure the length of the hand, starting from the shoulder joint and ending with the tips of the elongated fingers:

• If the arm length is up to 55 cm, you need a ball with a diameter of 45-55 cm;
• With a hand length of 56-65 cm, the fitball should be 55 cm in diameter;
• At a length of 66-75 cm the diameter of the ball should be 65 cm.

To understand if the product suits you, you need to check the following: when sitting on the fitball in the sitting position, the corners between the body, thigh, leg and foot should be about 90-100 degrees.

Are all the balls different?

We told how to choose a gym ball according to the height. But it is important to take into account also some external parameters of choice:

• Balls can be with handles or in the form of "horns" - often such models are chosen for children.
• Products with spines on the entire surface are covered with small balls that have a certain massage effect. Such balls should be used in the treatment of certain diseases, as well as for children's massage. In order for the fitball to be stable, it can have support legs at the bottom.

For babies

Universal and easy to use gymnastic ball. How to choose a size for newborns? In most cases, these parameters range from 45 to 75 cm, but experts advise choosing a bigger ball - it's easier for a child to accommodate. For exercises with infants, you can use fitbols with a diameter of 55-75 cm. Well, if the models are supplemented with handles: they help to monitor the child, help him to keep himself. For an adult, the pen is the ability to control the ball, since otherwise it is difficult to grasp during the exercises.

So how to choose a gym ball for a child? We offer you to familiarize yourself with some of the nuances:

• The ball must be made of a dense, elastic fabric and have a smooth surface;
• When trying to compress on the surface of a gymnastic projectile, folds should not be formed; if they are, it means that the product is of poor quality;
• The nipple must be soldered into the product, so that during movement it does not interfere;
• The gymnastic ball must have an anti-explosive feature, the marking of which is ABS. She talks about the safety of the projectile for training.

A few rules in the end

How to choose a gymnastic ball for fitness? First of all, let's talk about the fact that training with this sporting equipment became popular not so long ago. He was invented by the famous physiotherapist Joseph Pilates, and from the usual ball fitball differs only in size. All models are used for exercises in gymnastics and aerobics. Today balls for fitness are widely used in the prevention of many diseases of the legs, back, thighs. They are especially effective at recovery after injuries. Despite the external simplicity of the accessory, it is universal, since it allows you to use almost all muscle groups during exercises, develops a sense of balance, flexibility, helps to improve posture and relieve fatigue.

Many people choose the color of the gym ball. Here the work includes psychologists, since each color affects our nervous system in different ways. So, blue and green produce a calming effect, reduce pressure, yellow helps to improve mood and raise energy level, and orange can relieve depression. If you have weak immunity, then choose a red gymnastic ball.

Rules of operation

Fitball is a safe sports projectile that can be easily inflated by a conventional pump manually or automatically. To ensure that it lasts longer, use the ball only on a smooth and level surface, so that there is no risk of mechanical damage. Keep products in an inflated condition away from sunlight.

Gymnastics balls are simple sporting shells, which nevertheless allow solving a number of tasks without leaving it for home. They are absolutely safe, but subject to the observance of elementary rules. The main thing - do not leave the child, especially the small one, alone with this projectile. Today the most popular products are the following brands - Gymnic, Ledragomma, Azuni, Spokey, Torneo. Choosing the right ball, you can perform effective exercises at home without the use of special efforts.