What’s so special about the DuraBall? & how did this ball stuff start, anyway?
“Stability balls” were first manufactured by the Italian toy maker Cosimo in the 1950s, and as Swiss Physiotherapists discovered how effective they were in rehabilitation & began to spread the word, these “toys” became commonly known as “Swiss balls”. Nowadays you can even get numerous books & tapes on how to do Yoga or Pilates on the ball ! And they really do make superb teaching / learning tools to extend the benefits of all types of training & rehab .
Perhaps the most important quality to look for when investing in a ball as a training / rehab tool, or as a mobile chair, is the quality of “burst-resistance” – where the ball will deflate rather than explode if it’s punctured. Many stability balls are “burst-resistant” but carry no weight rating. The DuraBall is made in Australia, is guaranteed “burst-resistant” and “weight-rated” to withstand a phenomenal amount of weight-loading – 1000 lbs.! – such that advanced athletes can stand on the ball & perform squats, or use the ball as a bench to perform heavy bench presses, flyes, etc.
Notice how the DuraBall is constructed from thick vinyl with a grainy, non-sticky texture - unlike the cheap, thin materials most other balls are made from. Also, notice the smell of a new DuraBall – that’s a lemon-scented fungicide mixed into the raw materials to inhibit any growth of the ‘critters’ commonly found where sweat and dirt hang out together. The manufacturer provides this extra bit of quality because they know that the majority of people aren’t going to properly clean their equipment after workouts .
If they’re so well-made, then aren’t they mainly for athletes? I think the chainstore outlet ball is good enough for me!
We see all humans as potential “human athletes” , & we feel that the best is certainly good enough for all of us ! We’ve coached & worked in
rehabilitation, from world class athletes to stroke survivors & Parkinson’s disease patients in their 80’s, & always with the peace of mind & safety of using top quality equipment. It’s been very gratifying to help those who believe they can’t, learn how they can!
How do I know what size ball to get?
While sitting centered on a properly inflated ball with a proper upright posture (no slouching or slumping), the thighs should be about parallel with the floor, with the hips even with or slightly higher than the knees . This is the preferred way to properly size your ball as a beginner. Another rough rule-of-thumb method is to use a common “size according to height” chart:
4’2 – 5’1 uses a 45 cm. / 17” ball
5’2 – 5’8 uses a 55 cm. / 21” ball
5’7 – 6’2 uses a 65 cm. / 25” ball
6’3 & over uses a 75 cm. / 29” ball
(measurement when fully inflated)
What if 2 people with different size ball requirements are
purchasing 1 ball for both to use?
If they are only 1 ball-size different in their needs, they should purchase the smaller size, because it’s easier for a taller person to adapt to a smaller ball, than vice-versa.
If they’re more than 1 ball-size different, please consider purchasing 2 balls, as our experience shows that this is too large a difference for happy ball sharing as beginners!
You say “Beginners” – do things change as a person progresses in their skill levels?
A person will still use their appropriately sized ball for the majority of their training , but as their skill levels increase, they will enjoy & benefit from the challenges that both larger & smaller sizes will offer. We introduce these different sizes intentionally in our training programs at the appropriate time, to cause faster adaptation of neuromuscular responses & balance mechanisms.
So a person could eventually get more than one size ball?
Yes, if you really enjoy challenging your quick reflex & balance skills, & creating life-useful functional strength, you’ll appreciate moving from one size to another in succession, or even trying some exercises which use more than one ball at a time – such as each foot / leg on a ball while in pushup / plank position or face-up bridge position ; or even both feet / legs on one ball while both hands are on the 2nd ball (super challenging, & fun !)
You have these balls WAY more inflated than any I’ve seen at the gym – why is that?
The harsh answer is: Most likely everything you’ve seen and used is JUNK! We know these DuraBalls aren’t cheap, but the old cliché is true – you get what you pay for. If you scout around to elite private training studios and interview the trainers who work with professionals in all sports, you’ll discover that they, too, will only train with and sell DuraBalls – for safety as well as quality.
If a ball is supposed to measure a certain diameter when inflated, then it WILL have a firm feel if it’s made from the highest quality materials. Inferior, thin, sticky feeling materials will only become firm as they reach 1-2 sizes larger than their stated size! Then, they’ll begin to leak because they’re overinflated, plus they won’t last as long as equipment made with top quality materials. Also, firm inflation requires better technique - because it reacts faster to movement on the ball, & this in turn produces faster improvement in skills - experienced coaches understand & teach this. Underinflation only produces the illusion of progress & ease, & we’ll only use this intentionally as a technique to train specially challenged patients who have Neurological deficits or degeneration.
How do I inflate it & keep it inflated , and will it hurt to inflate / deflate the ball to travel with it?
The balls come with a plastic nozzle to fit over a standard automobile-tire type airhose fitting, & we carry an efficient, inexpensive plastic hand pump which is also small enough to pack in a travel bag. You can also take the ball to a bike store or gas station & have them inflate it for you. The ball will only need an occasional addition of a little bit of air to maintain its size, as the removable plastic stopper for the airhole provides a tight seal after inflation. Dedicated ball fanatics always deflate the ball for an airplane trip, & use the hand pump to re-inflate it in just a few minutes (honest, it’s not the nightmare that inflating the camping airmattress was !! :>) If you choose to take it on a trip in the car or van while still inflated, be sure to wedge it with something soft so it won’t suddenly bounce around the inside as a safety hazard, and take care that no sharp objects can puncture it.
And what’s the cost?
45 cm / 17” $ 45.95 + tax
55 cm / 21” $ 55.95 “
65 cm / 25” $ 68.95 “
75 cm / 29” $ 78.95 “
Quick Air Pump $ 12.95 “
