Shorties - what size stability ball should I get?

J

jazz

Cathlete
Calling all short people - I'm 4'11" and am thinking of getting a stability ball since the Hardcore series will be using one and I have other workouts that use the ball and I'm getting tired of the modifications.

What size do we get? How do you figure out if it is the right size?

Thanks.
 
Here's the info from

www.power-systems.com

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The 45 cm ball might actually be better for you. I'm just about 5 feet 1/2 inch actually and the 55 cm ball works best for me.
 
Jazz, usually the "right" size is the one, properly inflated, that you can sit on with your thighs parallel to the floor, while your shins are at a right angle. So if you're a leggy 4'11", the 55 cm would probably be best. But if you have a longer torso, then the 45 cm might be better for you.

We use stability balls in pilates classes at my gym, & I've discovered that an undersized ball is better for core work when I'm using the ball above me and for Cathe's PLB floor work. I prefer the "right" size ball when I'm sitting on it or working above it, for movements like the "v pikes".

I truly enjoy using stability balls & BOSUs. It's hard to cheat, & I can tell by the sweat factor & heart rate, that I'm working a lot harder. The both allow for a much greater range of motion for some exercices. My hip flexors are very happy this week. The stability ball also allows for some truly decadent spinal stretching. It's a great addition to your fitness tools.

Debra
 
Debra - I'm short waisted - all my height (what little I have) is in my legs.

I was browsing Bodytrends.com and they actually had a chart that said 4'11" should start with a 53cm ball. The sell a couple of brands.

Now I'm thinking - should I go with the 53cm or the 55cm - I think the 45cm would be too small. What do you think?

I'd be using it mostly for core work - I don't think I'm ready to use it as a weight bench like Cathe does in the supersets.
 
I'd go with the 53 or 55 cm since you're leggy. Don't worry about the 2 cm difference, go with the brand you like. I like the heavier duty balls at the gym more than my own Gaiam/Living Arts balls.

Once you have a ball, do some playing on it. You'll soon feel very comfortable using it for weight work. Plus you can get some wonderful torso stretches.

Debra
 
Hi,
I am 4 11 1/2 inches(rounds up to 5 feet in my book). anyway, I too am short waisted and use a 55 cm. ball, it works well. Any smaller would seem to small for me.
 
Thanks everyone. I may just try the 53cm ball because two cm isn't really much of a difference. Too bad fitness stores don't have them inflated to try - at least the ones in my area don't.
 
Just a note to let you all know I picked up a 55cm ball at Galyans yesterday - It was so much cheaper than on-line - anyway - I inflated it and sat on it and it fits fine. I figured if it didn't fit, I could deflate it and return it.

I'm planning on trying it tonight - I'm doing Kick/punch/crunch and the abs use the ball.

Thanks again for all your advise.
 
You're welcome! That's great! I ordered mine online because the cheap ones I bought from Target kept deflating on their own. I never have to add air to the one I have now.

I like Galyan's so hopefully they carry the good ones!

Have fun!

The 55 cm ball works great for me! I just used it yesterday for KP&C!! Awesome workout!!
 
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