We Tested the Best Exercise Balls to Level Up Your Home Workouts

Choosing the Right Size Exercise Ball

To get the most out of your exercise ball, you’ll want to make sure it’s the right size for you based on your height. First, check to see if there’s a size chart included in the ball’s product description, and use that chart to determine what size ball you should get. If your exercise ball doesn't come with a size chart, the general size chart listed below is a good reference.

How to Use an Exercise Ball

Exercise balls are a versatile tool that can elevate your fitness routine in countless ways. The ball’s unstable surface challenges your balance, coordination, and stability, making it an excellent addition to workout routines of all levels. You can incorporate an exercise ball into various exercises, from targeting your core with ab workouts to enhancing traditional bodyweight exercises like squats and pikes. It’s also perfect for strengthening your core while sitting at your desk, promoting better posture and reducing strain. Plus, using an exercise ball can expand your range of motion during stretches, helping you achieve greater flexibility.

What to Look for When Shopping for an Exercise Ball

• Weight Capacity: Exercise balls are designed to withstand a decent amount of weight, but you should still check the product description to ensure the ball's weight capacity can comfortably accommodate your weight. Most balls have a high anti-burst capacity (usually 2,000 pounds). This means that even if a puncture does occur, the ball won’t actually burst. Instead, it will slowly deflate.
• Material and Durability: Most exercise balls are made with PVC (polyvinyl chloride), a synthetic composition that's both flexible and durable, which makes the ball comfortable and safe to use even if someone's full body weight is resting on top of the ball. PVC is also considered "anti-burst" because, rather than deflating instantly if a puncture occurs, it will slowly lose air—making it safer to use. Throughout our testing, we noticed that the wall of the ball (or the PVC exterior you sit on) was regularly noted in the product descriptions. Some of the balls have a thick or heavy-duty wall, which means the ball won't be as flexible, but it may be more durable or less prone to accidental punctures.
• Texture: Whether the ball is covered in ridges, dimples, or a rough pattern, a textured surface is beneficial because it provides grip and traction to prevent slipping. And if you’re prone to sweating or you live in a humid environment, this texture can give you more control of the exercises you’re performing. Texture also offers an element of safety, ensuring the ball doesn’t easily slip out from under you while you’re working out, stretching, or sitting at a desk.
• Features and Accessories: Added accessories and features make it easier to set up and use your exercise ball. Many balls come with a manual pump that you'll use to inflate the exercise ball. Some even come with a handy ring that you place under the ball to keep it from rolling around the floor.

How We Tested the Best Exercise Balls

To find the best exercise balls, we tested 16 expert-approved options in our testing Lab with guidance from on-site experts. When testing, we evaluate each one based on the following key criteria.

• Quality: We assessed whether the ball was able to fill to capacity without overfilling and whether it had anti-slip qualities and maintained its grip on various floor surfaces to prevent slipping during exercises.
• Versatility: We took note of how well the exercise balls performed during each of the exercises. We also considered if the ball accommodates various exercises while providing stability and support throughout each movement.
• Comfort: We evaluated how comfortable the exercise ball is to sit or lie on during exercises and whether it provides enough support and cushioning for various body positions and movements.
• Portability: We assessed how easy it is to inflate and deflate the exercise ball for storage and transport. Exercise balls that are lightweight and easy to carry and come with a convenient carrying case or storage bag earned extra points for portability. 
• Value: Our testers only found out the price of the ball after testing it. After learning the price, they evaluated whether they'd pay the list price according to its value. 

Our Experts

In our search for the best exercise balls on the market, we consulted three fitness experts who shared their insights on essential features and effective usage techniques.

• Brittni Johnson, CPI, certified Pilates instructor for Club Pilates in Los Angeles 
• Miriam Shestack, CPT, certified personal trainer and certified Pilates instructor at Equinox clubs in New York 
• Kevin Leon, CPT, certified personal trainer and strength coach in New York 

Why Trust Verywell Fit

April Benshosan is a health journalist, editor, and experienced weightlifter (in fact, her favorite hobby is hitting PRs). Her writing centers around her passion for arming people with the information they need to make informed decisions about their health. April occasionally uses the exercise balls in her gym for ab workouts and during Pilates classes, which she tries to incorporate into her fitness routine at least once a week.