I combed through the Internet looking for the most common Swiss Ball Training Frequently Asked questions and came up with this list.
If you have a question about Swiss balls that isn’t covered here please use my “Contact” form and I’ll be happy to add it to the list.
01. When were Swiss balls invented?
02. Why were Swiss balls invented?
03. What are Swiss balls used for?
04. What is a Swiss ball made of?
05. Is a Swiss ball the same as a fitness ball or stability ball?
06. What is the correct size Swiss ball for my height?
07. How much should I pay for a Swiss ball?
08. What is the weight limit for a Swiss ball?
09. Some Swiss balls claim to be anti-burst, what does that mean?
10. How much air should I inflate my Swiss ball with?
11. I lost my Swiss Ball pump how do I re-inflate it?
12. I punctured my Swiss ball. Can it be repaired?
13. How do I clean my Swiss ball?
14. Why are Swiss balls used in fitness and bodybuilding gyms?
15. What’s the difference between a Swiss ball and a medicine ball?
16. I have physical disabilities should I use a Swiss ball?
17. I have a bad back should I use a Swiss ball?
18. Is a Swiss Ball big enough to use at a desk instead of a chair?
19. What is the best Swiss ball workout DVD?
When were Swiss balls invented?
Though they are commonly called Swiss balls they were invented by an Italian plastics engineer named Aquilino Cosani in the early 1960′s.
Why were Swiss balls invented?
Cosani originally invented the ball to be a children’s toy. The ball was called a Gymnastik.
What are Swiss balls used for?
They were invented to be played with by kids but they are used in dozens of other ways:
- in offices as a comfortable replacement chair
- in rehabilitation clinics to help people recover from injuries
- in fitness gyms to improve athletes core strength
- in senior citizens homes to improve balance
What is a Swiss ball made of?
A Swiss ball is made of soft elastic PVC. It is inflated with air and resembles a beach ball.
Is a Swiss ball the same as a fitness or stability ball?
Yes.
I interchangeably use the terms stability ball or Swiss ball when talking about this ball. There are many other names it goes by too:
abs ball, balance ball, body ball, exercise ball, fitness ball, gym ball, physioball, pilates ball, Pezzi ball, Pezzi Gymnastikball, sports ball, Swiss ball, therapy ball, workout ball, or Yoga ball
What is the correct size Swiss ball for my height?
Ten different websites will net you ten different answers when it comes to the correct size for your height.
The simplest and most accurate answer that I found was this one:
“When you sit on the balance ball your upper leg should be parallel to the floor.”
There are four different Swiss ball sizes: 45 centimeter (18 inch), 55 centimeter (21 inch), 65 centimeter (25 inch), and 75 centimeter 30 inch.
For what it’s worth, here’s my handy-dandy Exercise Ball Size Guide:
Depending on your height you may discover that there isn’t an absolutely perfect size ball for you. What do you do then, get the smaller or larger ball?
This will have to be a judgment call on your part. For myself, I chose the larger ball.
Don’t stress out about the size. As long as you have a ball that is close you’ll be good to go.
How much should I pay for a Swiss ball?
Prices range from under $10 to over $60. You pay less or more depending on the name brand and the quality of materials used. You will also pay more for a ball that has been manufactured with higher burst weight specs. (See the next two questions.)
What is the weight limit for a Swiss ball?
Some Swiss balls have been weight tested to 600 pounds. Some of the more expensive one’s have been tested up to a 1000 pounds.
What that means is that at least 600 pounds of pressure has been applied to the ball without it bursting.
Depending on how much you weigh and how you plan to use the ball the recommended minimum weight tested ball you get should be the 600 pound version.
Some Swiss balls claim to be anti-burst, or burst-resistant what does that mean?
If you are exercising on a ball that isn’t burst resistant and it accidentally gets punctured it could explode and instantly deflate allowing you and whatever you were holding, dumbbells for example, to come crashing to the floor. Not a happy thought.
Burst-resistance means that in the event the ball gets punctured it will deflate slowly allowing you to get off the dang thing before you kill yourself.
How much air should I inflate my Swiss ball with?
Most Swiss balls come with a long rubber sizing strap that you spread around the ball as you inflate it. When the ball is inflated to the point where the strap is snug you have enough air in the ball.
A second method you can use is to make a pencil mark on a wall to the height of the balls diameter. If you purchased a 65 centimeter (25 inch) ball then you would place a mark that high on the wall. Inflate the Swiss ball until it reaches that mark.
I lost my Swiss Ball pump how do I re-inflate it?
Just about any hand or electric pump will do as long as you have an adapter available.
I punctured my Swiss ball. Can it be repaired?
Unfortunately Swiss balls can’t be repaired.
Theoretically you could apply a tire repair patch to it but you couldn’t trust that the repair would hold once you applied a great deal of pressure to the ball.
To be on the safe side get rid of the defective Swiss ball and replace it with a new one.
How do I clean my Swiss ball?
A damp wash rag is really all that’s necessary to wipe dust and sweat off. You can also occasionally wash it with a soft cloth and soapy water.
Why are Swiss balls used in professional fitness and bodybuilding gyms?
1. Swiss balls were brought into the fitness and bodybuilding realm because fitness professionals heard about the almost miraculous results that physical therapists were achieving by having their patients exercise on the balls.
2. Swiss balls are used because they can improve core strength and balance like no other device in a gym can. For some exercises, ab exercises for instance, abdominals are worked more efficiently and through a wider range of motion than they can be on the floor or a sit up bench.
3. Swiss balls also allow for more exercise versatility which helps remove the boredom of doing the same exercises the same way all the time.
What’s the difference between a Swiss ball and a medicine ball?
They are totally different balls used for different purposes.
A medicine ball is smaller and heavier, up to 8 pounds in some cases, and used in a similar manner as lighter dumbbells for certain exercises.
I have physical disabilities should I use a Swiss ball?
You’ll be happy to learn that Physical Therapists in Switzerland began using stability balls soon after their invention to help people with disabilities and injuries.
Depending on the type of disability you have, or the injury you are trying to recover from, a stability ball may be a good thing for you to get.
Talk to your doctor or a physical therapist for some ideas on how you can incorporate a Swiss ball into your self-help home therapy sessions.
I have a bad back should I use a Swiss ball?
This question is similar to the previous one. Yes, a Swiss ball can be used to help you recover from a back injury. Consult with your doctor or a physical therapist before using.
Is a Swiss Ball big enough to use at a desk instead of a chair?
Many people are starting to use Swiss balls as replacements for desk chairs. They have also designed special chairs specifically to be used with Swiss balls.
What is the best Swiss ball workout DVD?
Answer coming soon.
If you have a question about Swiss Ball Training that was not answered on this page please use my "Contact” form and I’ll add it as soon as I can.
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