Any recommendations for a birthing/gym ball please?

[AlwaysDancing1234]

Thinking of getting a ball to help with posture and ease indigestion etc. then to use later on as well. Can anyone recommend a good birthing ball or would a gym ball from Argos or similar do the trick just as well? Thanks.

They're all much of a muchness - though they come in different heights so make sure you chose the right one for your height. I'm 5'9 so picked up a 75cm ball from TK Maxx for about £8. Sports Direct and Argos do them too so don't waste money on anything claiming to be a special birthing ball!

I was wondering about this for ages too - I bought mine from Amazon, its called a ''Birthease' or 'Birtheze' ball. I asked what the difference was on a course I was doing recently and the lady told me that the birth balls are supposed to be anti burst, so if they get a puncture they should deflate slowly but a cheaper ball or a gym ball might not be and if they puncture they could pop and deflate easily (not ideal with a pregnant lady sat on top!) Hope that helps.

That sounds a bit like marketing hype - I've seen enormous muscle-bound men at my gym using the balls and not one had burst yet! The one I got is meant to be anti burst too.

I would tend to agree with you Cariad but I think my ball only cost approx. £17.99 and I am a bit of a big bird, so I didn't want to take any chances! :-)

Thanks everyone, I'm only about 5' 5'' and average weight etc so I was thinking I'll just go for an Argos/Sports Direct gym ball although a bit worries about it bursting and me ending up in a heap on the floor!!

Oh god sorry! I don't want to cause any worry! You will be fine if you are average sized I have gotten very heavy :-( but just thought I would relay what I had been told.x

I think exercise balls are designed so that if they do burst they'll just deflate slowly. It won't go pop like a balloon!

I had a look at a Reebok gym ball earlier and it's got the 'slow deflate' feature so if I do bounce on it a bit hard at least it won't go bang!!

I know I'm going to sound like a skin flint but I've got a ds with ASD & ADHD. We use big balls as part of his sensory work out with holistic O.T.

We've spent over £40 on some! The best one as in cost, indurance etc was a fiver from Argos.

I use it many times a day every day...

Argos does a very nice light blue 65cm ball, can't remember the brand though, something like LA Fitness or so.

Argos. A fiver. Worked great

I think the cheap Argos one might be the winner! Thanks everyone and Merry Christmas!

I can testify that the gym ones can just burst into pieces, it happened to my DH!

Thanks greentshirt, maybe I'll get the one with the 'slow deflate' function just in case then!