Fitness Ball Safety

Recently you may have heard of a recall on fitness balls due to ball bursts. Approximately 3 million balls have been recalled that where sold between 2002 and February 2009. The bursts of the balls was because of improper inflation. 

If you are currently using an exercise ball in your workout there is no need to worry as long as you follow a few precautions:

1. Always inflate your ball as instructed by the instruction guide that comes with the fitness ball and never use an air compressor to inflate your ball. Yes, it will take longer to fill the ball up with the manual pump, but the air compressor will force air in over inflating and stretching the balls material, which can result in a burst.

2. Only use or buy a ball that is labeled "anti-burst" or "burst-resistant". This way if the ball were to break it would slowly deflate rather than an instantaneous burst.

3. Only use the ball for its intended purpose and only do exercises on it that have been prescribed by a fitness professional.

4. Replace your ball every six months or so. Most balls only have a life-span of about six months and then they began to wear out, which can result in a burst.

Follow these precautions and your workout will remain safe.

Live Fit,

Josh