Pilates ball recommendations?

Sarah Morales5 · 2005-04-11T23:25:40+00:00

I just got a Pilates ball as a gift. Does anyone else have one? What kind of exercises can I do with it?

briskfalcon15 Member

22 messages
joined Mar 2005

#41 · Apr 23, 2005

I actually have one of those pink stability balls from Target.

The instructions include some diagrams for exercises, and they explicitly state the ball shouldn't be used as a total replacement for a chair. However, they do suggest sitting on it for about 15 to 20 minutes a few times a day. I’m definitely not an expert, but hey, that's what it says... I've heard stories about kids using them instead of desks in elementary schools over in Europe, but honestly, that sounds a bit far-fetched to me...

When you're picking one out, you should choose based on your height rather than how much you weigh.

Anthony Harris14 Active Member

63 messages
joined Aug 2004

#42 · Apr 23, 2005

cosmicpanther41 said:A friend of mine gave it a quick glance, and honestly? She thinks there isn't actually a coherent program in there at all. It feels more like she’s just using the platform to run an ad for her own Pilates studio rather than providing actual value.

Does anyone happen to know if there is an actual, decent Pilates routine available on YouTube?

Sarah Morales5 MemberOP

32 messages
joined Jan 2008

#43 · Apr 23, 2005

cosmicpanther41 says:

The only issue is you have to inflate it yourself. It’s best to just hit up a gas station.
/B]

I actually got a pump that works with my ball. I’d feel a bit silly having to drive to a gas station every single time it loses a little air.

Michael Jones23 Active Member

116 messages
joined Aug 2006

#44 · Apr 23, 2005

Sarah Morales5 said:I got a pump with my ball. Honestly, it would be such a pain if I had to trek out to a gas station every single time it loses a little air.

So what, you're just gonna bounce your way down to the Chevron?😁

Sarah Morales5 MemberOP

32 messages
joined Jan 2008

#45 · Apr 24, 2005

Michael Jones23 said:well, you could just hop on it and ride right over to the Shell station😁

That’s a solid plan. I'll add some turn signals and a horn, and boom—brand new mode of transportation. I'm going to be loaded once I patent this thing. Don't worry, Michael, I'll give you a cut of the royalties.😉

Casey Palmer5 Regular

470 messages
joined Jan 2016

#46 · Apr 24, 2005

I blew it up using just my own lungs! 😁

She almost passed out from the effort 😁

Now mine is totally deflated because I've been busy moving, and I can already see my boyfriend and I taking turns blowing it up. It’s actually faster than using a bike pump, but I just really don't feel like trekking down to the gas station for a compressor.

Regarding the whole idea of using exercise balls for seating in schools and stuff, here is a quick summary of an article I found on PubMed:

New England Journal of Medicine 1992 May 23;122(21):811-6. Related Articles, Links

[Ball or chair as seating arrangement in the classroom. A prospective study]

[Article in English]

Amstad H, Bachlin A, von Arx N.

Department of Public Health.

Poor posture is thought to be linked to sitting habits in school—kids who used to spend their time running around and playing are suddenly forced to sit still in one spot. The goal of our study was to see if a new kind of seating option—a large plastic ball—actually made a difference. Over the course of one school year, one group of 162 kids (ages 8 and 12) used these balls as their primary way to sit, while a similar group of 148 kids stuck to standard chairs. At the beginning and the end of the study both groups were examined (including muscle testing, a modified Matthiass test, and balance tests). The results hint at a potential impact on back and abdominal muscles, though overall, we didn't see much improvement from the ball alone. That said, if you incorporate actual movement into the classroom setting, the ball might be a helpful tool. We’d suggest some basic training and supervision for the teachers involved...

PMID: 1534934 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

briskfalcon15 Member

22 messages
joined Mar 2005

#47 · Apr 24, 2005

Anthony Harris14 said:Does anyone know if there’s a really GOOD Pilates DVD out there?

I actually have PILATES for DUMMIES. It features two different routines—one for beginners and one for intermediate levels. A pro I know actually told me how great this specific DVD is. She wasn't exactly raving about that instructor from the one that came with the evening news broadcast, though...
Unfortunately, I'm not sure where you can pick it up. Since it's part of that FOR DUMMIES series, I'd guess you might find it online... I just have a burned copy myself 😳

placidfox55 Active Member

118 messages
joined Dec 2002

#48 · Apr 26, 2005

dustycanyon6 said:Even if nothing else, it’s a great seat—better than a standard chair. 😉

Aha!

It's already useful enough. Sitting on a ball engages a ton of different muscles.

Brian Thompson18 Newcomer

3 messages
joined Apr 2005

#49 · Apr 26, 2005

Michael Jones23 said:I mean, I said physiatrist, or maybe just physical therapist... but honestly, it doesn't really matter.

I guess I'll just run it by my cousin when I talk to her next; she's a physiatrist, so she’d probably have the best handle on this sort of thing anyway.

Michael Jones23, why don't you just take that cousin of yours and stick her behind your ear instead of a flower, I guess.

Anyone who’s actually dealt with physiatrists or physical therapists can probably tell you that a solid PT is just as good, if not maybe even better, when it comes to actual physical therapy—which I guess includes things like Pilates to some extent.

Casey Palmer5, I tried it too, and I guess I can confirm that eight hours—even with all the interruptions—is about what I'm getting. 👍

Michael Jones23 Active Member

116 messages
joined Aug 2006

#50 · Apr 30, 2005

Brian Thompson18 said:Michael Jones23, just take that cousin of yours and shove her in your ear instead of a flower.

Anyone who’s ever dealt with physiatrists or physical therapists can tell you—a good PT is just as vital, if not more so, when it comes to physical therapy, which definitely includes stuff like Pilates to an extent.

Casey Palmer5, I tried it too, and yeah, I'm confirming those 8 hours of yours (with breaks). 👍

I honestly have no clue what you're even trying to say... 🙄 ...first off, I didn't even ask my cousin for her opinion, so you don't get to talk like that!!!!!!!!

Second, a female professional in this field explicitly told me that sitting on a stability ball for 8 hours straight is definitely not recommended!

Third, how exactly did you conclude that sitting for 8 hours is actually a good thing??? Besides, you literally wrote this yourself:

Brian Thompson18 said:confirming your 8 hours (with breaks). 👍

WITH BREAKS!!!!!!! So you basically contradicted yourself. Like, what are you even talking about here, lady????????? 🙄

Brian Thompson18 Newcomer

3 messages
joined Apr 2005

#51 · May 2, 2005

Michael Jones23 said:I honestly have no clue what you're trying to get at here. First off, I didn't ask my cousin for her opinion, so you really don't have any right to talk like that!!!!!!!!

Secondly, an actual professional in this field definitely stated that sitting on a stability ball for 8 hours straight isn't recommended!

Thirdly, maybe you could explain how you even concluded that sitting for 8 hours is a good idea??? Besides, you literally wrote this yourself:

WITH BREAKS!!!!!!! So you basically contradicted yourself, so what are you even talking about, lady????????? 🙄

I guess I'll just answer the questions exactly as they were asked:

1. It’s not really about your cousin's opinion; it’s more about your reaction to what Casey Palmer5 said regarding her being a senior physical therapist, especially after you followed up by calling her "just a" physical therapist.

2. Neither Casey Palmer5 nor I ever suggested anyone should sit for 8 hours without stopping. In fact, we both made it pretty clear that you need to take breaks. Sitting in an armchair for 8 hours straight isn't great either, I suppose. The point is that using a stability ball is probably healthier because, as Casey Palmer5 mentioned, "you engage your core muscles, so the strain doesn't just dump directly onto your spine like it does when you're slumped in a chair."

3. I figured it out because I actually tried it myself. And I wouldn't say I contradicted myself, since I specifically pointed out that taking breaks is necessary.

4. There’s no reason to get offended, I guess. This is all just a matter of interpreting the language and logic used in those previous, rather messy, posts. 👋

frozencobra37 Member

25 messages
joined May 2005

#52 · May 2, 2005

So, assuming I’m spending maybe eight to ten hours a day slumped in a crappy chair, my back is already killing me, and I basically dodge muscle soreness by being super careful instead of actually having any core strength... would buying an exercise ball just for sitting be a bad move?

I feel like it might help more than anything else since a ball is technically lower than a chair. Right now, I'm just hunched over my desk constantly.

On the flip side—and this isn't even about my current lack of fitness—standing or sitting without a backrest absolutely exhausts me (honestly, since I was a kid). If I stand in one spot for even ten minutes, my lower back starts acting up. Same thing happens if I try to sit upright without support. So, I'm kind of worried I'll end up suffering on the ball, too.

Casey Palmer5 Regular

470 messages
joined Jan 2016

#53 · May 3, 2005

frozencobra37 said:Hmm, so, assuming I spend about eight to ten hours a day sitting in a crappy chair and my back is absolutely killing me—plus I tend to avoid muscle soreness by being super careful with how I move rather than actually having strong muscles—is it worth getting an exercise ball just for sitting?

Yeah, definitely.

frozencobra37 said:I know it would help if nothing else works, since the ball is basically a step up from a regular chair. Right now, I’m just constantly hunched over my desk.

On top of that—and this has nothing to do with my current lack of fitness—standing or sitting without any back support absolutely wears me out (honestly, since I was a kid). If I stand in one spot for even ten minutes, my back starts acting up. It's the same thing when I try to sit upright without a backrest. That's why I'm worried the ball might be just as painful... [/B]

Make sure the ball height is set so your knees are at a perfect right angle while you're sitting. If you're still struggling after that, the issue might actually be that your desk is at the wrong height.

Look, the ball isn't some magic cure-all, but it's certainly better than slouching in a standard office chair, where you lean way back, make one wrong move, and suddenly lock up because your core strength is non-existent (believe me, I've been there 😢), especially since all that pressure has been hitting your spine for years instead of your abdominal muscles. It might feel a little exhausting at first, but eventually, you'll adjust, your core will get stronger, and it'll take a massive load off your spine...

frozencobra37 Member

25 messages
joined May 2005

#54 · May 3, 2005

Casey Palmer5 said:Your ball height needs to be set so your knees are at a right angle while you're sitting. If you’re still feeling it, maybe your desk height is just off.

Hmm, I'm tall enough that hitting that perfect right angle might be an issue. As for my back, I'm skeptical. Still, probably worth a shot.

I'm also wondering if the ball can actually handle my weight.

Sarah Morales5 MemberOP

32 messages
joined Jan 2008

#55 · May 3, 2005

frozencobra37 said:Hmm, I’m pretty tall, so getting the angle right might be tricky. As for the ice, I’m skeptical. Still, it seems worth a shot.

I am also wondering if the ball can actually hold up my weight.

The balls are actually quite durable. How tall are you?
I'm about 5'9" and a 25-inch ball works great for me.
The 30-inch one is really meant for taller people, but you should probably just try sitting on it to see how it feels.

Casey Palmer5 Regular

470 messages
joined Jan 2016

#56 · May 3, 2005

When you're picking out a ball, height is everything. Don't just grab the cheapest one on the shelf if you actually care about how long it lasts. Mine cost me about $50 and can handle up to 300 kg.

frozencobra37 Member

25 messages
joined May 2005

#57 · May 3, 2005

Three hundred?! Honestly, I think I could handle 🙂

I'm about 6'9" and weigh 275 lbs. So, going under 75 inches probably isn't worth it. But a 75-inch ball... man, that's massive 🙂 My desk isn't even three feet wide (standard desks are usually around 35 inches, right?). I'll just end up hunching over the desk again anyway.

As for the price, I actually thought it would be higher. If I knew this stuff actually worked, I'd drop $50 on it without thinking twice.

Sarah Morales5 MemberOP

32 messages
joined Jan 2008

#58 · May 3, 2005

frozencobra37 said:Three hundred?! Honestly, I think I could handle 🙂

I'm about 6'9" and weigh around 275 lbs. So, dropping below 165 probably isn't worth it. But 75 centimeters... that's massive. 🙂 My desk isn't even a meter wide (standard desks are usually about 35 inches, right?). I'll end up leaning over the desk again.

Well, once you sit on it, it just flattens out. 🙂 Don't sweat it. For me, the only issue is that I can't tuck it under the desk like a regular chair, so I'm sitting a bit far away, but it's not a huge deal. I'll manage.

cosmicpanther41 Member

10 messages
joined May 2007

#59 · May 3, 2005

frozencobra37 said:Three hundred?! Well, I guess I could probably handle 🙂

I'm about 6'9" and weigh around 275 lbs. So, I suppose going below 165 wouldn't make much sense. But 29 inches... that seems massive! 🙂 My desk isn't even three feet deep (standard desks are usually around 35 inches, right?). I'll just end up hunching over it again.

As for the price, I actually expected it to be higher. If I knew it would help this much, I'd pay $30 without a second thought.

An inadequate chair isn't your issue; your real struggle is your height and the constant hunching.
You probably won't fix the issue until you strengthen those back muscles at the gym to take some pressure off your spine—maybe seeing a chiropractor would help too.
Regarding chairs, I think getting a taller desk is more urgent since most desks are built for average heights, which definitely isn't your case.
Even with a great chair, you'll still have issues if you're constantly leaning over a 35-inch desk (by the way, standard desk height is usually 29 inches, not 35; for comparison, a kitchen counter is about 36 inches, and a desk is usually lower than that).
It might be best to try raising the desk somehow (I'm 5'7" and my desk is 27 inches, which is perfect for me)—if you can, maybe try adding new legs to the desk (you can buy metal legs in all sorts of heights) or just put something under the legs to get the height up to about 39-43 inches (when you sit and rest your elbows on the desk, your upper arm and forearm should ideally form a right angle).

Casey Palmer5 Regular

470 messages
joined Jan 2016

#60 · May 4, 2005

Honestly, I’m pretty sure your biggest issue is just the height of your desk—you should definitely try to fix that first.

Also, you really need to work on strengthening those back muscles... maybe try some targeted exercises or even using an exercise ball so you can't just slouch deep into your chair.

In my opinion, seeing a chiropractor probably won't do much for you since they aren't actually addressing the root cause of the problem.

Pilates ball recommendations?

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