Amazon.com Reviews
Average Rating: 4.0 out of 5 Stars
The following review received 33 helpful votes out of 34 total votes:Review Date: 2006-11-28"A good size for bouncing your baby, and it really is 65cm"There are so many comments here about the ball being smaller than its stated size. That's hard to understand. You inflate it to the proper size, so if it's a blue ball and it's not 25.5" tall (80" in circumference) - well, just pump more air in. It doesn't get that much more difficult to keep pumping air in, that's not a problem.
While it's sold as an exercise ball, you'll see these balls used a lot for labor and newborns. The local maternity center uses the 65 cm size ball, probably because it's the right size for most people's height. 65 cm = 25.6 inches, so when you sit on it, it squeezes down to about the height of a regular chair (which are usually around 18" to the seat). So if you're wondering which size to get, you can more or less use the height guidelines in the product description, using the height of the person using it most. The idea is, you sit on the ball holding the baby and bounce with the adorable little screaming darling.
The pump system is adequate, eventually it gets pumped up. If you don't pump too aggressively, you can still hear the TV over the sound! It would be nice if the tube was a little longer, so it could reach the floor without pulling the tube out now and then.
The instructions could be better - they don't really explain what the parts are, so you have to figure out that the things that look like golf tees are the caps for the balls, and you need to insert one to keep the air in. Still, not difficult. Though I wouldn't want to have to do it too often.
The tape they provide to make sure you inflate the ball to the right size is awkward, but in the end it works.
Like with many items, the price at Amazon fluctuates from day to day, it seems, and bears no relation to the prices of the bigger or smaller balls.
It does have a bit of an odor at first, like lots of similar plastic products (such as shower curtains) it emits some fumes for a while. Try to let it air out some when it's new.
They don't include the lyrics to the Bouncy Ball song, to sing to your baby, but they go as follows: "Bouncy ball, bouncy ball, bouncy bouncy bouncy ball." Repeat as needed. 4 stars The following review received 19 helpful votes out of 25 total votes:Review Date: 2005-08-10"Great for working out, but misleading size information"I have never had an exercise ball before, but have heard of using one for exercise and used one briefly in one of my Pilates classes. It is a great way to add variety to the daily exercise routine. The best part about it is it feels like playing because you are using a ball, so it is fun while working out.
The ball came in a box with a small pump and a chart of several exercises. I have used them and combined them with some of my own for a more interesting workout. It is great that I did not need any extra materials to get set up and get started. It also feels good to do the exercises.
The only problems I encountered with the ball are related to the inflation. First of all, the pump made a loud squeaky noise which was rather obnoxious and made it difficult to concentrate on doing something else while pumping.
The second problem I had was that the instructions for the ball size are very confusing. The box states that the ball is 65cm in diameter. After I had blown it up I found a "measuring tape" in the kit box that I was supposed to have used. But the tape was huge compared to the ball and when I measured it, it was the exact circumference needed for a 65cm diameter, so obviously the ball I received was a lot smaller than promised. When I called the company, I had to leave a message. I was impressed with the speedy rate with which my call was returned (I called on a weekend and received a call back in the morning on Monday), but the person barely listened to my complaint and said that I should not use that tape and that she is "certain" I got the right size ball because it is blue and the blue ball is supposed to be 65cm. Since I am actually shorter than the recommended size for the 65cm ball, the ball I got is fine for my height, so I did not pursue my complaint, however, if you are expecting a ball fit for the average height or taller individual you will probably be gravely disappointed.
To anybody who is thinking of getting an exercise ball, but is unsure, I would definitely recommend trying it, but would like to caution about the size concern.
4 stars The following review received 18 helpful votes out of 26 total votes:Review Date: 2005-09-07"popped on day one"This thing popped the first time it was used. And I only weight 160 pounds, so it's not what you think! 1 star The following review received 15 helpful votes out of 23 total votes:Review Date: 2005-07-06"Perfect for getting baby to sleep"I gather that people use these things for various forms of exercise, but we have found these balls to be the perfect baby bouncing device on the market. We had some other cheap ball with our first baby but just bought this one now for our second baby (we gave away our first ball) and it works great. I sit on it holding the baby snugly against my chest and bounce away. He loves it, usually falls asleep after not too long, and it is far less demanding (and tedious) physically than other forms of baby-sleep-inducement. I think they're underselling this product myself. 5 stars The following review received 11 helpful votes out of 13 total votes:Review Date: 2007-03-03"Effective"I remember seeing these back in 1998. Back then, I thought these things were a joke. But after seeing the results on other people, I decided to give it a try. And let me tell you, I was in for an experience!
The first time I sat on one, I ended up rolling off and falling on the floor. I'm normally coordinated and fairly graceful. However, I had no understanding of the proper use of the equipment. The awesome college girl who was working out beside me was polite enough to not stare at your very embarrassed, and very red-in-the-face, narrator. Eventually, I got enough courage to ask one of the trainers for help. She showed me the proper way to use the ball. And no, you should not try to do sit-ups while sitting on the ball. Basically, you use a lot of the muscles in your midsection to balance, and then you lift your chin upwards, towards the ceiling.
I was never consistent at using the ball. But now, nine years later, I decided that I had better do something about my exponentially expanding midsection. I no longer drink beer or alcohol. However, my lack of physical activity and my love of video games have caught up with me during the last six months. I have gained seven pounds, during the last half-year. And they went to the worst possible place of all, all seven of those pounds, to my waist.
Please keep in mind, dear reader, that this ball alone will not shrink your belly. It will not get rid of excess body fat. Depending on what you want to accomplish, how far off you are currently, and your body type, a whole lifestyle change might be needed. Your diet and your exercise routine have to work together. You can lose body fat simply by cutting back your calories. You won't want to cut much protein though. You need that to help you keep your lean body mass.
By the way, if you're not very coordinated, I suggests that you purchase on of these and start off using it at home. That way, when you do use the one at the gym, you can look graceful doing it.
Inflating this ball can be a big hassle. The pump that came with it is obviously made out of inexpensive (cheap!) material. But, hey, look at the low price of the unit! Besides, once you get the ball inflated, there is very little need to ever have to reinflate it again. When you are inflating the ball for the first time, please keep in mind that there is no valve on the ball. As soon as you remove the pump's needle, the air will start to come out of the ball. Basically, you will have to put the stopper on very quickly. You can put a little bit of nail polish on the stopper to keep it from coming out. I used hair spray though. So far, no leaks. 5 stars |
