Pilates ball

Balance your workout with a Pilates Ball

Pilates is a powerful form of training that targets your core and creates strength from your deep stabilizing muscles outwards. With Pilates, you’ll build a powerful core and a strong, stable spine in the process – both are must-haves for sports, running, dancing, yoga, powerlifting, and other forms of strength training. 

Pilates is considered a low-impact workout. But don’t let the ‘low’ fool you. It’s one of the best ways to build a stronger core and strengthen the deep stabilizing muscles around your spine. 

For the most part, Pilates utilizes your body weight and doesn’t require a lot of fancy equipment. But as you dive deeper into the world of Pilates and its exercises, you’ll see that a small, squishy ball plays a very important role. 

Meet the Pilates ball. A small, soft, and squeezable Pilates tool that challenges everyday movements and bodyweight exercises by changing the way you balance. 

Adding a small Pilates ball to your next Pilates workout will help you: 

• Improve balance 
• Boost core stability 
• Remove pressure on your spine while working out 
• Stretch deeper to relax your muscles and improve flexibility 

There are 2 different types of balls used in Pilates – small balls and large balls. 

The large balls are also known as Swiss balls or exercise balls. The small balls are known as small barre balls, gym balls, mini balance balls, stability balls, and bender balls.  

Pilates with a small Pilates ball 

At ShapeNation we carry small Pilates balls between 6” and 9” when inflated. 

These mini exercise balls are great for stimulating your abdominals and inner thigh muscles, increasing your flexibility, strength, and endurance. One small Pilates ball can quickly add instability and resistance to a variety of Pilates exercises. And it can be used for relaxation. 

Our small Pilates balls are made of soft, skin-friendly PVC and are durable and flexible. Each bender ball remains elastic even when it’s fully inflated, allowing you to put your body weight on it without injuring yourself. 

Worried about slipping off? Don’t be. The Pilates balls in our collection are designed with slip-resistant, smooth surfaces that keep you safe while working out. 

The best part? Our soft Pilates balls can withstand weights of over 500 pounds, making them ideal for yoga, Pilates, ballet, barre programs, core strength, balance exercises, and more. 

Did we mention that small Pilates balls are easy to take with you? Their small size makes them perfect for dropping in your gym bag and heading outside to train. 

Pilates with a large exercise ball 

Large Pilates balls are also called exercise balls or Swiss balls. They can be used for a variety of Pilates exercises as well as other strength training and functional fitness programs. 

Unlike small Pilates balls, large balls are designed according to your height. 

We suggest following the guidelines here to choose the best large Pilates ball for your workout: 

• If you’re between 5’1” and 5’7”, choose a 55 cm Pilates ball. 
• If you’re between 5’8” and 6’1”, choose a 65 cm Pilates ball. 
• If you’re over 6’2”, choose a 75 cm Pilates ball. 

When you first pump up your large Pilates ball, only fill it to 80%. Wait for 24 hours before filling it up the rest of the way. 

This gives the plastic a chance to adjust and prevents your large Pilates ball from bursting or ripping. 

Shop affordable Pilates balls at ShapeNation

From small Pilates balls to large exercise balls, find what your Pilates training needs with us. Every ball in our growing collection is made with non-toxic, safe-for-skin materials and created to survive even the most intense workouts. 

If you’re shopping for other yoga and Pilates accessories, check out our edit of yoga and exercise mats, acupressure mats, weighted hula hoops, resistance bands, and more. Whatever you need to reach your health, wellness, and fitness goals, you’ll find it at ShapeNation.