10 best Pilates balls to buy now, from £3
Any Pilates fans out there will know what a difference a Pilates ball makes. Take my word for it: as someone who has done Pilates almost every week for the past 18 months, classes that include the use of a Pilates ball are both more challenging and more fun than when they’re not.
Why? Well, studies have shown they test your strength, stability and balance at once, whereas other Pilates equipment such as Pilates rings, ankle weights and resistance bands only really train your strength (with a bit of stability thrown in for Pilates rings). The upshot is that, when you do Pilates ball exercises regularly, in conjunction with the kit we’ve just mentioned, you could see and feel results sooner. Bonus: Pilates balls have also been proven to reduce the pressure on your spine, so you won’t spend every sesh craving a lower back stretch.
To help you on your way then, we’ve compiled a list of the best Pilates balls to buy now, along with the most effective Pilates ball exercises according to Power Pilates UK founder Korin Nolan, and everything she wants you to know about the kit.
What is a Pilates ball good for?
‘A Pilates ball is one of my favourite props,’ Korin tells WH. ‘It’s great for getting a deep abdominal connection as it forces you to find stability through your core. It’s not just good for your mid-section, though. A Pilates ball can also be used to strengthen your arms or legs with simple squeezes, or even just holding it in place.’
Our fave thing about them? They’re next-level cheap – read on for our edit of the best Pilates balls from just £4.
What is the difference between a yoga ball and a Pilates ball?
The amount of exercise balls on the market can make things v confusing, we know. A yoga ball is the larger aerobic kind (that you might see pregnant women bouncing around on as they're said to help bring labour on), whereas a Pilates ball is a small, squishy style; around the size of a football (size specifics below, courtesy of Korin), but made from the same material as a yoga ball.
What size Pilates ball do I need?
‘The ones I use are between 22-26 cm and you can buy them easily on Amazon,’ Korin says. ‘The trick is not to fully blow them up, they want to look a little deflated, which will help when placing your weight on the ball.’
How can I use a Pilates ball?
‘There are so many different Pilates ball exercises, which will make your workouts varied and more fun,’ Korin tells us. ‘You can use a Pilates ball on the mat or during a reformer Pilates class. One of my favourite ways to use it is to place the ball behind your upper back to add a stability and deep core challenge when doing crunches.’
Here are some more tips on how to use a Pilates ball:
To make exercises harder: A Pilates ball can add a stability and balance challenge to your usual exercises just by giving you something to hold in place or it can add extra resistance when you squeeze it or push against it.
To assist a stretch: With the help of a Pilates ball, you can get into deeper stretches without putting too much pressure on your spine.
To maintain technique: Holding a Pilates ball in place (whether behind your lower back or between your thighs) can give you feedback on your form and help you maintain a position while you focus on holding the ball.
To target lazy muscles: A Pilates ball can help you “find” muscles that bodyweight alone might neglect. For example, if you were doing a glute bridge with the ball between your knees, you may find it easier to target your Gluteus Medius rather than overusing your Piriformis without the help of a ball.
10 best Pilates balls
DOMYOS Soft Ball
Diameter: 24cm
This soft, teal Pilates ball is rated 4.6 stars out of 5, with customers praising it for its versatility and good value. It’s also easily inflated with the straw that it comes with.
Core Balance Pilates Ball
Diameter: 20-23cm (depending on how firm you make it)
Core Balance’s Pilates ball is now on sale for less than half price. It’s designed with a non-slip material for extra grip, and comes with two plugs (in case you lose one), and an inflation tube. Choose between blue, green, purple and grey.
Bala Pilates Ball
Diameter: 23cm
Bala’s Pilates ball is the most expensive in our edit, but if you’re a Pilates pro, or want something that will last forever (and look super fancy), this is the one for you. It comes in sand or black, and is made from a sturdy PVC with a leather-like feel that makes it both comfortable and easy to grip during exercises. It’s also pop-resistant, is inflated with a pump that it comes with and is wipe clean. It’s Instagram’s fave Pilates ball.
Trideer Pilates Ball
How much? £8
Diameter: 23cm
Trideer’s Pilates ball comes in two shades of blue and is made with a material designed to be particularly ‘low-odour’ (i.e. it won’t come with that plasticky smell). It’s also anti-burst, non-slip and slightly textured and sticky – ideal for beginners who are new to holding a Pilates ball in place.
Beenax Soft Pilates Ball
Diameter: 22cm
Beenax’s purple Pilates ball is Amazon’s choice, with almost 6k ratings, giving it an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars. It’s easy to inflate with a tube, and is anti-burst and non-slip. Customers love it for its durability – one even commented to say that they’d sat on it and were impressed it didn’t burst.
Fitness Mad Exer-Soft Stability Ball
Diameter: 18cm
Fitness Mad is known for its versatile and good value home gym equipment, including this Pilates ball. Down from £10, it comes in four colours: blue, green, pink and silver, and is slightly smaller than those listed above, at 18cm, making it easier to store away.
Yontree 2 Pack Soft Pilates Ball
Diameter: 22-25cm
Amazon’s Choice of a two-pack of Pilates ball is this Yontree pair. The purple and blue balls are 22-25cm in diameter, and made from latex-free, anti-burst material. If you’re after an extra challenge using two Pilates balls at once (or just convinced you’ll lose/burst one), this could be for you.
ZHIYE Pilates Yoga Ball
Diameter: 25cm
ZHIYE stocks this Pilates ball in a total of nine colours, and customers love it. It’s rated 4.5 stars out of 5, with 1,045 people impressed enough to leave a review. One wrote: ‘I was a bit sceptical as to whether the ball would stay inflated, as it wasn't the easiest to inflate - you have to be very quick to put the stopper in or else all the air comes out. However, I inflated mine about a month ago and it's still perfectly inflated.’
Mirafit Pilates Ball
Diameter: 20cm
MiraFit’s Pilates Ball is one of the cheapest in our edit, but the brand certainly hasn’t compromised on quality. It’s made from easy-grip soft PVC, and comes with a straw and stopper for simple inflation. One buyer left the following review: ‘Arrived in good time, well packaged easy to inflate. A good ball and perfect for its intended use.’
Pure Health Soft Pilates Ball
The cheapest option on our list for those on a budget, this soft pilates ball is just £3 from Amazon. Coming in pink and teal, this ball will make your pilates workouts more challenging by adding resistance.
10 best Pilates ball exercises
1.Curl up with inner thigh squeeze
Lay on your back with your knees bent up in the air in line with your hips, hands behind your head and ball between your knees.
On your exhale, nod your chin forwards, curl up the upper body as you engage your abdominals and squeeze the ball. Repeat 10-15 reps. To make this easier, put your feet down flat on the floor, knees bent.
2. Bird dog with Pilates ball under pelvis
Lay on your back with your knees folded above your hips in the air and the ball under your pelvis. Lift your arms in the air above your shoulders.
On the exhale, engage your core and reach your right arm behind your head and your left leg straight out in front of you. Return and repeat on the opposite sides, paying attention to keep your core engaged and your shoulders down the whole time and keep as still as possible through the rest of the body. Repeat 10-15 reps.
3. Toe taps with Pilates ball behind back
Lay on your back with the ball behind your upper back so that your head, neck and shoulders lift easily off the mat. Interlock your hands behind your head and lift both feet up, bending your knees so they are in line with your hips.
Keeping your head curled up, lower one leg down to tap the toes to the floor keeping the core engaged and as still as possible through the rest of the body. Alternate from one foot to the other for around 30-45 seconds.
4. Single-leg stretch with Pilates ball behind back
In the same position as with toe taps, interlock your hands around one knee, with your elbows out to the side, shoulders down.
Engage your core and reach away the opposite leg as you exhale, then switch. Repeat 15-20 reps and keep as still as you can through the rest of the body as you move.
5. Bridge with inner thigh squeeze
Lay on your back with your head down, knees bent, feet flat on the floor hip distance apart, arms long by your side and ball between your knees.
Inhale to prepare, as you exhale squeeze the ball, tilt your pelvis and roll up through your spine, one vertebrae at a time until you reach a full bridge. Keep squeezing the ball as you roll the spine down in reverse. Repeat 10-15 reps.
6. Bridge with Pilates ball under one foot
Start in the same position as above, with the ball under the arch of one foot.
As you roll up into the bridge this time, press down onto the ball activating the hamstrings and glutes stronger on the supporting side. Make sure your hips stay level as you go up and down and keep the core active throughout. Repeat 10 -12 times on each side.
7. Side lying lift with Pilates ball between ankles
Lay on your side with your lower arm stretched out under your head, your top hand down for support (or on top of your top leg for a more challenging option) hips stacked and ball in-between your ankles.
On the exhale, engage your core and lift both legs up, gently squeezing the ball, lower on the inhale. Try to keep as still as possible and not roll the top hip back. Repeat 10-15 times each side.
8. Side bend with Pilates ball under waist
Lie on your side with the underneath knee bent and the top leg lengthened out. Place the ball under your waist, lay your lower arm on the floor above your head and take your top hand behind your head.
On the exhale engage your core and lift up into a side crunch, squeezing into the top side of the waist. Keep the shoulders down and try not to pull on the head, but lift more with the waist. Repeat 10-15 times.
9. Back extension with Pilates ball
Lay on your front with your legs open shoulder width apart and your arms stretched above your head, with your hands on top of the ball.
As you exhale, engage your core, press down into your pubic bone and press down into the ball drawing it towards your chest as you lift your head, neck and shoulders off the mat and come into a small extension. Your arms should stay long, then roll back down in reverse. Be sure to keep the glutes and core engaged throughout and you can progress by coming up higher off the mat.
10. Back extension with leg lifts and Pilates ball between ankles
Start by laying on your front as in back extension above, this time put the ball between your ankles and your hands underneath your head, head on top of your hands.
Relax your upper body, pull down the shoulders and engage your core. Lift your legs just off the mat and squeeze the ball three times slowly and firmly, then lower. Repeat 5-10 times. Make sure you push your pubic bone down into the mat, engage your glutes and core.
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