Stability Ball Question

[Blues]

I've only just ordered NROL so I was wondering (having never used one in my training) what size stability ball is recommended?

I'm 5'10" and about 170.

Are there any particular brand names which are generally considered better than others?

Thanks in advance and looking forward to contributing/sharing in the future.

(Like others here, I'm new to NROL but not to weight training.)

[RobLL]

Shorter than you, I prefer one of the larger ones, but will grab whatever is available.

[Lisa~]

Stability Ball Sizing Tips and Guidelines

• When seated on the top of a stability ball your knees should be even with your hips or slightly above.
• 45cm- used for shorter (generally under 5 ft) participants.
• 55cm- used for most people.
• 65cm-used for taller (generally over 6 ft) participants.
• Larger, softer balls are great for de-conditioned, overweight, or mature populations.
• The firmer the ball the more difficult the exercises are to perform; the softer the ball the easier exercises are to perform.

[Blues]

Thanks for the feedback.

It seems that all the stability ball websites (that I've googled so far) indicate that for my height of 5'10", a 65 cm ball is what they call for.

So, should I actually step down a size and select the 55 cm?

[Lisa~]

In my opinion it's not going to be that critical a decision. All the giudelines are very general. If you have the opportunity, sit on one and decide based on where your knees are (knees even with hips or slightly above). While the recommendations are based on height, leg length differs for each person. The firmness of the ball will make a difference as well. I don't believe it's going to injure you if the ball is not exactly right.

[Blues]

Thanks again.

I just found it interesting that you mentioned the 55 cm as did Lou in an email reply to me regarding the same question.

I wasn't sure if his reply had a typo or if the recommendation was really down one size as opposed to the stability ball manufacturer websites.

Frankly, I'd prefer the 55 cm (gray) versus the 65 cm (red) that I was looking at on amazon.com (Spri, Professional Plus model) on color alone.
Plus, the smaller ball would take up a little less space in my workout area.

Lisa, was your recommendation as to size based on info from Lou's book or elsewhere (out of curiosity)?

Again, thanks for the feedback. Much appreciated.

[Lisa~]

It was not from Lou's book but from information I collected a long time ago when the stability ball was a hot topic, lol. I don't even have the source anymore. Stability balls were first used in rehab settings and I think my information came from a physical therapy source.

[Blues]

10-4. I'm awaiting a reply from Lou as to my query whether or not the 55 cm recommendation was a typo or not. (I'll post that info here of course.)

[RacerBill]

Originally Posted by Lisa~

• Larger, softer balls are great for de-conditioned, overweight, or mature populations.

You mean "old" and "fat", right?

I just use what my gym has available, and I've never measured them. I would guess they are the medium size which is probably too small for me. I figure it's better to use them and do the exercise since it won't make an enormous difference, and avoiding it until I find the ideal ball won't accomplish anything.

[Lisa~]

I agree Bill. Just do it. But you can take a moment to sit on a couple of balls and find the one that is firmest and closest to getting your knees even with your hips.

[Blues]

Here's the reply (just received) from Lou regarding the recommended size of the stability ball.

(By the way, I just want to say how much I appreciate the open, honest and frank reply. As an "old school" guy, such "stand-up" character means a lot to me and makes me doubly pleased that I decided to purchase his book.)

Elliott, it wasn’t a typo, but it may have been a mistake in the source I used. I went to a book I edited, Core Performance, which says that 55 cm is the right size if you’re between 5-6 and 6-0. But in another book I both edited and helped write, Home Workout Bible, it says to use 65 centimeters if you’re between 5-7 and 6-0. I think the Home Workout Bible is more accurate, since I remember doing the research for that one myself.

So, I apologize for the mistake, which is my fault either way – as editor of CP, I should’ve figured out that the chart was inaccurate.

That said, I do wonder if there’s a reason why the author of CP used a different set of recommendations. I mean, on some exercises, it’s awkward to use the larger ball, which might be perfect on other exercises.

In other words, go with the 65 cm, accept my apology, and keep your mind open to the possibility that having a second ball around might be useful for some exercises, even if it’s not practical to keep two inflated Swiss balls in most home gyms.

Lou

Hopefully, this information will be as useful to others here as it is to me.