Black Mountain Products Static Strength Exercise Stability Ball with Pump, 2000 lb/55cm, Blue

Bought this ball for my pregnant wife. Our doctor strongly recommends these for anyone planning a vaginal birth (can I use that word on an Amazon review?!) to increase flexibility and reduce the chances of tearing. She loves it even though she says it makes her groin sore, but I think thats the whole point. This got delivered when I was away on a business trip, so I was happy to hear she got it assembled without issue and found the pump easy to operate.If you are trying to pick the size for your ball, common sizing recommendations are:4'11" to 5'4" height: 55 cm ball5'4" to 5'11" height: 65 cm ball5'11" to 6' 7" height: 75 cm ballMy wife is 5'2" and the 55cm height was spot on for proper exercise. If you are planning to use this as a chair, especially at your desk, you should get one size higher. I could also see older people that don't want to exercise at a low squat would also need one size higher than the above sizing.

I purchased this ball for my wife and I after our trainer recommended that we add ball exercises to our core routines and after making the mistake of buying another (cheaper) brand first. After returning the ball from the other company, I turned to Black Mountain because the reviews were great and because I've previously had great results with their products (I also own a set of BMP bands, which I love).The ball arrived quickly, and the included pump quickly inflated it to the proper diameter (75 cm...my wife and I are both tall). After a few weeks of regularly using the ball during some very rough exercise routines, here are my thoughts:Pros: - After the initial inflation three weeks ago, we've only had to top up the ball once. It seems to be holding air and shape very well. - Very durable. I use this as a bench during various free-weight exercises, and tend to be rough with it during core and leg exercises, and it has yet to show any sign of leakage or failure. It seems to be taking the abuse pretty well! - The surface is smooth and easy to clean without being slick or tacky. Some balls are so slippery that you can barely grab them, while others are textured and hard to clean. Whether you're sitting on your ball or using it for exercise, you will want something that will hold you firmly while also being easy to clean, and this ball balances the two needs quite well. The rubber material is also resistant to all of the various antibacterial cleaners that I've used on it, and hasn't discolored or softened as cheaper balls can sometimes do.- Very nice to look at. I bought mine in bright red, and between the color and the quality of the construction, it's a very nice looking piece in my home gym. That may seem like an odd thing to point out, but the first ball I bought (from the other company) was cheap looking, while this one looks like something you'd see in a professional gym or studio.Cons: - My only real gripe is their sizing. The size chart seems to be oriented toward people who use these balls as a seat, and not for exercising. At 6'1", their chart recommended that I buy the 75cm ball, which is too large for many exercises. I can sit on it comfortably, but its awkwardly large when trying to do V-Passes or planking. I wish I'd gone for the 65cm ball instead!

When I was pregnant, my midwife strongly recommended investing in a stability ball. My midwife said that these balls promote a posture that alleviates pelvic and back pain in Mom, while also helping Baby transition to a head-down position in the last few weeks before delivery. If Baby was posterior facing, the ball will help switch baby around, potentially avoiding back labor. She also said there was evidence to suggest that women who used a stability ball in the last couple months of pregnancy experienced shorter labors and deliveries. I figured it was worth a try. I bought a Black Mountain Stability Ball. I was extremely satisfied with the relief I felt in my hips after I started using a ball for sitting vs. lounging back in a couch or chair. My daughter was positioned well during the latter part of my pregnancy. When I was in labor, I rocked from side-to-side on the ball to ease the pain of my contractions. The investment in this ball was worth it just for my experiences during pregnancy and labor.Then my daughter was born, and I discovered more benefits to the ball. During my post-partum recovery, the ball was far more comfortable to sit on than a chair was. If my girl was fussy, she would become calm if I gently bounced or swayed on the ball while I held her. When I started working out again, the ball allowed me to gently ease back into a workout regimen. Now that my girl is a toddler, she loves playing with my stability ball; it is easier for her to grab than a smaller toy, and she likes rolling it from one side of the room to the other.Assembly was a snap. The directions were clear. The pump was easy to use. There were guidelines about what size it should be, so I didn't need to second-guess if I was overfilling/underfilling it. I have always felt my weight was supported.In short: I cannot speak highly enough of this ball.

I was really excited to get this exercise ball. It came with a short handout that I read right away. I was puzzled by the cautionary statement #14 that says: "Exercise ball should be replaced after 180 days after purchase, any use beyond 180 days is not recommended for users safety."Why is that? Does it have anything to do with the ball containing "a chemical known to the state of California to cause cancer, or birth defects or reproductive harm"?None of this information was listed in the product description. I didn’t expect it, and I’m thinking about returning this ball.