THERABANDExercise Ball, Professional Series Stability Ball with 55 cm Diameter for Athletes 5'1" to 5'6" Tall, Slow Deflate Fitness Ball for Improved Posture, Balance, Yoga, Pilates, Core, Red

This exercise ball is super heavy duty -- HOWEVER you need access to an air compressor to inflate it.. I have a friendly bicycle shop -- the smaller balls come with hand pumps and are easily inflated.It's just what i need to do my PT exercises at home and it comes with a large poster illustrating many other beneficial stretches you can do on this ball.

As good as or better than exercise balls at therapy groups. Appears well made. Good value

I’ve been using this ball consistently for about 5 months! I had another brand of exercise ball at home, but it was too slippery to safely do my physical therapy exercises so I decided to invest in the brand they had at PT. These have the perfect amount of grip. I feel much more secure on this ball. I use it all the time and just bought a second one - the blue ball - for my husband so he can do his exercises at home.I also will use this to sit on to watch TV sometimes as it reduces strain and pain on my neck and back and helps me stay a bit more focused!As far as filling it with air…..That part is a workout if you do it manually! Haha! I still have the manual pump from my old exercise ball. It’s a time commitment for sure, but I think I prefer the manual pump method to be sure I fill it up safely. If you do not have a manual pump or air compressor, you will need one to fill this up. But I guarantee one of your friends or neighbors already have one and would be happy to help you out filling this up so don’t let that stop you!I filled up my red ball by myself, but when I purchased the bigger blue ball for my husband, we took turns filling it up.

Seems to be of good quality, easy to fill, much heavier than my old one due to the thicker material this one is made of. My last one lasted for 20 years. Time will tell. So far very pleased with this purchase.

(1) Based on other reviews, which reported receiving either the wrong unit, receiving a package with missing parts, or receiving a dirty or greasy ball, I ordered mine directly from Amazon. If there are any mess-ups, exchanges and returns with Amazon are straightforward.(2) I did receive the correct item: The Thera-Band Pro Series SCP Ball (Retail Package), 55 cm/22 inch diameter. It's listed as a red color, but mine is closer to an orange color. No matter.(3) The Retail Package presumably is packaged in a box. Mine was not. The ball is fully flattened and wrapped in a plastic bag. There is also a poster (with inflation instructions and exercises), a small plastic bag with a measuring tape, and a small plastic bag with (2) plugs, (1) plug removal tool, and (1) inflation adapter. There is no country of origin marked on the ball itself. The main bag and the two small bags are marked "Made in China", so I assume the ball is made in China.(4) My ball was free of grease and dirt.(5) I've seen listings that stated that the package is supposed to include multiple inflation adapters. Mine came with only one. It did not fit my electric compressor (for auto tires), and was useless to me. Fortunately, my compressor does have a kit of (3) adapters, and one was suitable for this ball.(6) The tape measure is a plastic ribbon. It has 3 holes: hole #1 at one end and hole #2 and hole #3 at the opposite end. The tape measure is used to measure the circumference of the ball during inflation. To calculate the diameter, you divide the circumference by pi (3.14). The distance between hole #1 and hole #2 is about 54-5/8", corresponding to a diameter of about 44 cm/17". The distance between hole #1 and hole #3 is about 68", corresponding to the stated diameter of 55 cm/22" (55 cm actually corresponds to 21.7", but rounded to the nearest inch as 22"). You place hole #1 of the tape over the inflation hole in the ball, wrap the tape around the ball, making sure the tape is straight and centered, and check to see that the inflation hole is lined up at the other end of the tape between hole #2 (minimum inflation diameter) and hole #3 (maximum inflation diameter).(7) I highly recommend an electric compressor instead of a hand or foot pump; it makes inflation literally a breeze. One of the reasons I bought this ball is because it specifically does *not* come bundled with a pump. [Why pay for a junky pump? Also, if you buy more than one ball, why pay for multiple junky pumps?] This ball, like all exercise balls I've seen, does not have a needle valve, like a basketball. It has an inflation hole. You insert an inflation nozzle into the inflation hole, inflate the ball, remove the inflation nozzle, and then insert a plug to seal the ball. When you remove the inflation nozzle, of course, some air escapes before you have a chance to insert the plug. With a compressor, you can keep the air stream aimed at the inflation hole as you remove the inflation nozzle; this reduces the amount of escaping air. Cover the inflation hole quickly with a fingertip of one hand. Grab the plug with the other hand. Quickly uncover the inflation hole and insert the plug. Insert the plug snugly, but do not push it all the way in: let it stick out about 1/8" at first (see below).(8) Some reviewers have complained that their balls are too small. The instructions clearly state, however, that the ball expands and needs to be inflated in stages. The ball is shipped flattened and heavily creased. I first filled it until it became a full sphere. The diameter was only about 15". And I thought, "No way will I blow this up to 22" diameter without it exploding!" But I let it settle for about 4 hrs, then inflated it to the 17" minimum diameter as measured with the tape. I then let it settle overnight. The following morning, it had deflated somewhat, so I reinflated it to 17" diameter. I then let it settle for 4 hrs again, and inflated it to 21" diameter. The instructions caution strongly against overinflation (greater than 22" diameter). So I left it slightly below the maximum. Even at 21" diameter, the ball is very stiff.(9) Since you need to inflate this ball several times, you should not push the plug all the way in until you have reached the final diameter. The plug removal tool is a plastic fork. It is difficult to use, and I was concerned that I might slip and puncture the ball. If you leave the plug jutting out about 1/8", the seal is tight, but you can remove it readily. When you reach the final diameter, push the plug all the way in.(10) Since I use the ball for neck exercises, after final inflation, I first washed the ball with warm water and dish detergent. There is a mild odor typical of PVC (the manufacturer states that the ball is made of PVC), but no strong fishy odor typical of excess free plasticizer.(11) I've had the ball inflated for several days now. Pressure is holding well so far. Most of the major creases are gone, but there are still noticeable remnants. I'm hoping they're purely cosmetic and don't weaken the structure.(12) The ball has a series of shallow circular ridges (akin to circles of latitude on a globe) to reduce slipping. I would prefer a more uniform pattern, such as an overall diamond grid. The surface of the ball otherwise has a good feel, not slippery, but also not goopy and not tacky.(13) I'll provide an update after I've used the ball for several months.

Easy to use, very durable

I bought this Theraband Exercise Ball ("Swiss ball") because it is the same as those used in the large physical therapy room at my hospital. I was a bit concerned about buying a thick-sided ball fitted into a box, but I followed directions, let it adjust to the ambient temperature, inflated it, and it serves my purpose. I'm very pleased with it. I've been working with it for a few months, and have not needed to re-inflate it.

I use for exercise, core balance & physical therapy exercises. Exceptionally durable & thick walled thera ball. Doesn't puncture easily. If puncured, it releases air slowly while you're on it! Holds air well & for a long time. Easy-to-use. Easy to balance & stay on the Thera ball. Very supportive & comfortable. Highly recommend this product!