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A barre and pilates ball is an essential piece of equipment for any home gym and is routinely used in your favorite cardio barre, pilates, and yoga classes offered at the gym, in a class, or even online.
These versatile balls are multipurpose and are excellent tools to help enhance core workouts, tone certain muscles, and can help improve endurance, flexibility, posture, and balance. These balls are also essential for injury rehabilitation classes, strengthening, and toning exercise programs for any at-home workout.
Below are some great mini exercise ball options that will easily incorporate into any routine. These balls are easily inflated with their included inflation straws or hand pumps, are made from durable materials and are textured on the outside for a non-slip grip that will keep them in place during even your most intense workout.
Detailing the Leading Barre and Pilates Ball in 2024
Champion Sports Barre and Pilates Ball — Best Overall
The Champion Sports Barre and Pilates Ball is an ideal and unique addition to any home, school, or gym. This versatile, royal blue ball promotes good posture while simultaneously providing ergonomic benefits. Not only can it be used for sitting and studying, but it is also great for stretching and exercise. It activates the trunk and abdominal muscles to give a great core-strengthening workout.
At 22 inches, the FitPro Ball is well-sized for both adults and children alike, making it a great addition to any living space or work environment. The stability legs allow you to use the FitPro Ball as a chair, while the foam handle makes it easy to transport and take anywhere you go. Plus, with its eye-catching royal blue color, it provides an attractive aesthetic that fits in with any decor. With all these amazing features, this pilates ball has risen to the top of our list.
Pros
- Beautiful blue color
- Great for adults and children
- Promotes good posture
Cons
- A little too low to the floor
nononfish Mini Exercise Barre Ball — Most Versatile
Nononfish’s ten-inch Fitness Yoga Ball is a multipurpose exercise tool and can be used not only as an accessory to enhance traditional pilates and yoga poses but also as a fitness cushion for sore necks and backs. This high-quality, mini exercise ball is made from burst-resistant, durable PVC making it ideal for tough workouts and gives it the ability to function across all fitness routines and platforms. Also included with this ball are extra valve plugs and inflation straw.
Pros
- This ball has a high-grip, non-slip surface for safe use when performing weighted exercises
Cons
- If you require a ball to inflate to firm, another option might be better
TheraBand Mini Exercise Ball — Runner Up
TheraBand’s Mini Ball is another versatile exercise ball made of durable, soft, and flexible PVC that is made to respond to touch, even when fully inflated. This ball is nine inches in diameter which makes it easy to handle, conveneient to transport and store, and suitable for users of all ages. Use this ball to enhance your core workouts, tone certain muscles, improve your flexibility, stabilize your balance and posture, or achieve an effective full-body workout, and it is perfect for performing physical therapy exercises in a clinical or home setting.
Pros
- In addition to the mini ball you get an exercise poster, inflation tube, and plug
Cons
- An air pump is not included
TopBine Exercise Pilates Ball — Honorable Mention
Another nine-inch exercise ball option is the one by TopBine. This ball is the perfect size to target specific areas in your routine while still providing a wide range of challenging workouts and giving you the extra stability needed. Constructed of professional-grade, non-slip material, this fitness ball works just as easy outside of the house as it does on the inside and deflates fast for easy travel.
Pros
- Included in this set are two yoga balls, two inflatable tubes, and two air plugs
Cons
- It may be harder to inflate the ball with the included straw
FreeSouls Small Pilates Ball — Contender
The mini exercise ball by FreeSouls is unique as it can effectively hold its air for at least six months. Other features include an inflation system, similar to a basketball, that uses the included hand pump to easily inflate with no air loss during inflation and all you have to do is pull out the pump with no stopper needed. Also included is an extra needle for convenient pressure adjustment- if you feel the ball is too tight, you can deflate with the needle according to your needs and if it’s too soft, you can inflate it with the hand pump.
Pros
- FreeSouls provides a 12-month, no-hassle guarantee
Cons
- The included pump might come in any random color
Buying Guide: Barre And Pilates Balls
Pilates and barre are exercise techniques that are predominantly used to strengthen muscles throughout the body. When you move from pose to pose quickly, it also contributes to aerobic exercise.
A barre and pilates ball will help you achieve accurate poses while cushioning your joints. It will allow you to achieve poses that may be too difficult to hold without the ball. There are many barre and pilates balls on the market. For this reason, choosing the best ball for your needs might seem like a difficult task.
Check out the rest of the article below for everything you need to know about choosing a barre and pilates ball.
What Factors Make a Barre And Pilates Ball Worth Buying?
There are several things you can consider before buying a barre and pilates ball to ensure you choose the best product for your needs. Continue reading to see what we suggest.
Burst-resistant
The ball you purchase should be made from a strong burst-resistant material. We recommend looking for a ball made from thick PVC.
Extra valve plugs
All inflatable exercise balls will have some sort of valve plug attached to it. You may want to purchase a barre and pilates ball that comes with spares. A valve plug can come detached in time and it is really useful to have spares.
High-grip and non-slip
Your barre and pilates ball should be easy to grip and non-slip. A lot of pilates and barre poses rely on you holding a pose. You may want to look for a slightly textured ball to ensure it does not slip. You will likely sweat while you work out, so choose a ball that will not become slippery when wet.
Firm
A pilates ball should remain firm while in use. It should only deflate a little after a long period of use or when you choose to deflate it. When inflating your exercise ball, ensure it is firm to touch but not as firm as a drum.
Included exercise poster
Some barre and pilates balls come with an exercise poster. This is a useful tool for when you are working out at home and need a little reminder of the best moves. It may even teach you some new moves.
Multipack
You may want to purchase a set of two balls. You can work out with a partner, family member, or friend. A multipack of barre and pilates balls makes an excellent his and hers gift.
Customer reviews
Before purchasing a barre and pilates ball you like the look of, read the customer reviews of the product. This will give you a good idea about the product’s durability.
Warranty
Some barre and pilates balls come with a warranty. This is not always the case, but it may be a feature you want to look for.
What Size Pilates Ball Do You Need?
The size of the barre and pilates ball depends on your height and, more so, the length of your legs. You should be able to sit comfortably on the ball with your legs at a 90-degree angle.
We recommend purchasing a ball that is about 55cm if you are between 5’ and 5’5”. If you are between 5’6” and 6’2” consider purchasing a ball that is 65cm. If you are taller than this you can opt for a 75cm ball.
Everything You Need to Know About Inflating Your Barre and Pilates Ball
Many barre and pilates balls come with an inflation straw. This allows you to blow up the ball. If you have lung issues such as asthma, you may prefer a ball that comes with a hand pump. A hand pump is a useful tool to have in your home as you may be able to use it on bike wheels and footballs.
Consider how long it will take to inflate the ball. Some balls have more resistance than others. If taking the ball to an exercise class, using one that is quick to inflate will prevent you from being late - it’ll also be easier on your body when blowing it up.
Similarly, you should look for a barre and pilates ball that will deflate quickly, so you can put it away and get on with your day.
What Exercises Can You Do With a Pilates Ball?
Pilates balls, whatever their size, are a key component to many different exercises. Of course, the most popular workout with an exercise ball is pilates and yoga. However, you can also do many stability exercises as well. For example, you can do sit-ups and push-ups, using the exercise ball to engage your core and other muscles throughout the workout. You can also do any sitting free-weight exercises with dumbbells, simply swap the bench for a ball and perform your bicep curls, shoulder press, tricep extension, etc.
