The Best Pilates Balls

The Best Pilates Balls

As Pilates has taken the world by storm in recent decades, Pilates balls have seen a massive jump in popularity, but they’re also becoming a staple of many peoples’ home gyms. These balls are viable in almost any kind of workout, but they're generally used for core strengthening and back workouts. The added benefits of using a Pilates ball are improvements in flexibility, balance, and spatial awareness. Regardless of your workout goals, there are a ton of different brands and attributes to consider, so let our list of the best Pilates balls on the market be your guide.

ProBody 9” Mini Pilates Ball

Pilates Like a Pro

This mini Pilates ball can aid you in core-strengthening and balance-building exercises.
Best Overall

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This ProBody mini Pilates ball is versatile, durable, and easy to use. The ball is also eco-friendly since it’s made with soft, low-odor PVC material free of harmful chemicals that some other Pilates balls contain. This is an anti-burst Pilates ball that features a plug to help withstand the high pressure from longer workouts. The ball is super-affordable and comes in six different colors. On top of that, ProBody includes an extensive pamphlet on the different exercise options that their Pilates ball affords you.

Pros:

  • Features durable anti-burst technology
  • Comes in six colors

Cons:

  • The finish on the ball might damage certain surfaces

Trideer 9” Mini Pilates Ball

Tried and True

This easy-to-inflate and durable mini Pilates ball is a welcome addition to anyone’s home workout regimen.
Runner Up

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Trideer’s mini Pilates ball has everything you need. The included inflation tube makes filling this thing up simple as pie, with no pumps necessary. Trideer’s ball is made for strength and durability with flexible, low-odor PVC. The ball is designed to retain elasticity when inflated, and the subtle texture of the skin helps the ball stay in place while you exercise. The ball comes in seven different colors, including classics such as yellow, turquoise, purple, and black. Whether you intend to work out your core, legs, back, or increase your balance, Trideer’s durable and affordable ball is your perfect workout companion.

Pros:

  • Inflation is super simple
  • Textured skin prevents the ball from slipping during exercise

Cons:

  • Might be a bit larger than the advertised 9”

Live Infinitely Extra Thick Pilates Ball

Infinite Exercise

This large Pilates ball is the perfect eco-friendly assistant for getting you in tip-top shape.
Best for Professionals

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If our first two picks seemed a little small for your taste, Live Infinitely’s extra-thick Pilates ball is the pick for you. This Pilates ball is as heavy-duty as heavy-duty gets. The professional-grade PVC material has been weight-tested for support of up to 2,200 lbs, so no matter what your weight is, Live Infinitely has got you covered.

One advantage that this extra-thick Pilates ball has over some of our smaller contenders is that it makes a great alternative to an office chair. Replacing your old, stiff office chair with one of these will help you introduce a little activity to your daily office grind, and it can help improve your posture, too. Whether in the gym or the office, Live Infinitely’s Pilates ball is here to meet your needs.

Pros:

  • Big enough to be used as an office chair
  • Supports up to 2,200 lbs

Cons:

  • Harder to store
  • Inflation takes a lot more time and effort than some

URBNFit Mini Pilates Ball

Pilates in Pink

This mini Pilates ball has the backing of multiple industry experts and features an anti-burst coating that ensures a long lifespan.
Industry Recommended

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URBNFit has the industry on its side. Fitness experts have been recommending this Pilates ball for a while now because of its durability and versatility. URBNFit includes an inflation straw to make it possible to fill this ball up and start your workout in mere minutes. Like some of our other picks, this ball is made from high-quality PVC material and comes equipped with anti-burst technology that can sustain up to 600 lbs of pressure. Long workouts can put a lot of stress on Pilates balls, so having that added anti-burst protection should give you some peace of mind.

Pros:

  • Recommended by industry experts
  • Contains an easy-to-follow workout guide

Cons:

  • Only comes in one color

Trideer Extra Thick Pilates Ball

Powerful Pilates

This extra-thick Pilates ball is perfect for heavier-set people looking for a ball that will make them feel cushioned and secure.
Most Durable

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This ball is perfect for bigger folks looking to get a serious workout. It can withstand up to 2,200 lbs of pressure, so size does not matter where the Trideer is concerned. Not only is the Trideer great for workouts, but it can also double as an office or computer chair. Kids love bouncing around on these things, too, so if you’re a parent, that could be a plus.

A lot of the other picks on our list don’t come with pumps included, but Trideer decided to separate themselves from the pack by adding a pump with your purchase. This is one of the highest density Pilates balls on the market, so if you thought some of our other picks were a little too lightweight, look no further than this offering from Trideer.

Pros:

  • Anti-burst technology that resists up to 2,200 lbs
  • Made of non-toxic material free of BPA and heavy metals

Cons:

  • It takes up a lot of space
  • It’s a bit pricier than our other picks

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common uses for a pilates ball?

Pilates balls can be an aid for countless workouts. People use their Pilates balls differently depending on what their exercise goals are. A few common uses for Pilates balls are enhancing lower back mobility, core strengthening, improving balance, increasing muscle control, and learning proper posture.

Do I need to take a Pilates class to learn how to use my Pilates ball properly?

While taking a Pilates class is a surefire way to learn some great workouts from professionals, you don’t need to go to a class to learn how to use your Pilates ball. There are plenty of books, videos, and articles that can help you utilize your Pilates ball at home for far less money. The Pilates ball is a great workout tool precisely because of its ease of use and safety, so we believe that adding a third party for instruction is unnecessary in most cases.