Customer Reviews

Gaiam Balance Ball Beginner Kit (Medium, Green)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Effective, introduction video for those new to "The Ball."

It's an odd mix of good and bad in this starter video. The instructor's voice-overs properly cue the exerciser and we can easily see and understand her movements. However, the kit states "40 minutes" yet really yields a max of 30 minutes. This includes a lot of stretching and concentration-intensive moves. The background settings are breath-taking but are ruined by horrible, tinny music which I found distracting, at best.

The video includes no instructions as to the care or preparation for the equipment. This is especially a bad decision since there's no pamphlet inside. Granted, one can figure it out but I was surprised at this oversight.

This video was set up to whet the appetite of the viewer. There's info at the end on how to order the full series of 3 videos: lower body, abs and upper body. It is pleasant and varied enough to follow a few times however, I suggest muting the volume after you've developed an understanding of usage.

Your first observation might be similar to mine. The outdoor setting is calming and just gorgeous. The colors in this video are beautiful and the river creates a calm, quiet and peaceful setting for your workout.

I enjoyed the workout, but didn't realize how many muscles you needed to perch yourself atop a balance ball. You start off just rolling over the ball and then progress to some pretty tough balancing acts. There are some stretches which will stretch out your spine in new ways. I realized I'm not as flexible as I thought I was.

I'd advise watching this video at least once before proceeding because it sometimes difficult to follow the workout while attempting to focus on not hurtling towards the floor if you are not totally focused on what you are doing.

The kit includes:

Medium inflatable exercise ball (green, 26"/65cm)

Full-length workout video (35 minutes)

Air pump

The Air pump is "ok," but I found that an electric pump was much more efficient. If you use the air pump, you might want to do that "workout" the day before. The instruction scare you into worrying about inflating the ball too much, but never fear, with that pump, it might be impossible.

The medium exercise ball is "ok" but had I realized there was a larger balance ball, I'd have ordered the larger one since I'm taller. If you are 5' 9" and above, I'd say go for the blue balance ball (large size). I think weight also counts. If you are above your recommended weight (ideal weight and all that), then you might want a larger size.

On the side of the box it says:

Small Purple Balance Ball - Height 5' 0" to 5' 5" - Ball Size 22"/55cm

Medium Green Balance Ball - Height 5' 6 to 5' 11" - Ball Size 26"/65cm

Large Blue Balance Ball - Height 6' 0" to 6' 3" - Ball Size 30"/75cm

The exercise video is combination of shorter segments from three balance ball workouts. You really have to concentrate on making smooth and steady movements.

The way I found this workout to be most effective was to place the ball on top of a yoga mat. This prevents slippage of the ball on a carpet and also prevents you from getting injured because the yoga mat provides an additional level of protection from your hands and feet slipping on a carpet.

You will be doing three workouts.

Upper Body

Abs

Lower Body

There are times when you are either sitting, leaning over the ball or on your back, balancing and stretching out your spine. The hardest part of this workout is when you are on you back and you are rolling on top the ball. It is easier once you make full use of your powers of concentration.

The video is a nice introduction, but is really only an introduction. While you can get a good beginner's workout, I'd imagine it is more effective to order the three additional videos they recommend. Karen Voight also has a DVD out called BLT (Butt, Legs & Tummy) on a ball.

This workout will take you to new levels of concentration and mind-body awareness. It will work the upper body, lower body and abs. You will be strengthening, toning and conditioning smaller core muscles.

The 45 minutes includes a 5-minute warm-up to learn proper positioning.

If you enjoy this workout, look for:

BalanceBall Fitness Upper Body Workout

BalanceBall Fitness Abs Workout

BalanceBall Fitness Lower Body Workout

~The Rebecca Review

I purchased this product to strengthen my muscles and help relieve my chronic lower back pain. I have a Gaiam yoga DVD that I have enjoyed, but was looking for a different exercise program. Chose the balance ball on the recommendation of a friend.

The ball is nice and thick, but the pump is a workout all by itself. I eventually pumped up the ball using a powerful electric air compressor.

The DVD says a 50-minute full body workout, but there is actually 3 workouts -- a 30-minute full body workout (lower, abs, and upper) and two 10-minute workouts, one for muscle stretching and one for stress relief. The 30-minute workout is fine, but I felt I needed more (the other two workouts are more for warming up or just relieving muscle tension). There is a promotion on the DVD for additional Gaiam DVDs you can buy that target the three specific areas more in-depth. I bought an On the Ball Pilates Workout for Beginners DVD at the same time I purchased the ball, so I will see if that gives me the workout I am looking for.

The ball is a great product and the DVD is a nice benefit, basically introducing you to some ball exercises, but you'll probably need an additional DVD for more of a workout.

You aren't going to build a six-pack by doing "8-minute abs". In the most recent abdominal tests, compared with the "average" sit-up, no other method of exercise fared as well as exercise balls. It's one of the most effective training devices for improving muscle tone and strength in the abs and low back. Let's not forget how much better it is for your back than traditional crunches on a hard floor.

This ball is very comfortable, and there are a wide range of other uses for the ball outside of sit-ups. With all the exercise equipment of today, it's hard to know just how good something is for your body. Is it all hype? The exercise ball is here to stay and every home should have one.

The balance ball was easy to blow up (with some help). It took me a while to get used to it without falling off, but that's expected I guess.

The VHS tape was extremely slow, as in it took forever for the tape to teach you the exercises. It really put me to sleep. But once I learned the exercises, I had no use for the tape. It was good in learning some basic exercises with the ball, but it definitely was a pain to sit through.

Anyway, the balance ball is great for any exercise routine and this one is no difference. I've had the ball for a few months now and it hasn't deflated that much, even with kids jumping all over it at family parties. It's held up great and I'll continue to use it whenever I exercise.

I have this video and I love it. It is great to relax and stretch with. Definately not a cardio workout, but feels great! I love it at the end of a long day. I agree with the other reviewers, blowing up the ball is a pain. But once finished it's fantastic. If you have never used a balance ball, this is a good starter, however if you are over 5'10" like I am look elsewhere for a 75 cm ball. The one that came with this(65 cm) was too short for me.

Yes, the fitness ball is an absolutely wonderful idea. But I must say- don't waste your time with the video. The lower body workout was a joke- it felt more like just a series of stretches. The ab workout was better- I at least felt a little burn. The upper body workout does work out the back, though. Please keep in mind this video is more of a promotional montage of their other workout videos and is primarily designed to give you a sample preview so that you will buy the other videos. It is not a suitable substitute for even a beginner's workout. My recommendation would be to buy the ball and the body-part specific videos separately and don't waste your money on this so-called "kit."

This workout routine is excellent for anyone, but especially if you suffer back problems like I do. In the short time I have used it, I already feel like it has elongated my spine. Product descriptions did not explain that the ball size is based on height, so make sure you purchase the correct size ball. It's a workout just to blow up this ball, so you also need to consider space for storing the fully blown ball. It isn't practical to reinflate it for each use. I now use it as a seat for my computer, and that's where I store it. The video tape is supposed to be introductory, so they encourage you to buy three more tapes for the full-lengh, full-body workouts. I bought the full-lengh upper body workout, which I also think is excellent.

I got the medium-sized ball and thought it would be big enough (I'm a 5'7" female) but it seems to be too small. The ball seems sturdy, and the material is thick. The pump, however, is really poorly made plastic and looks like it will break after a few uses. The DVD that comes with this kit is a good introduction to the balance ball and has some basic exercises and stretches, but you'll definitely want to get another DVD.

The ball was a pain to blow up, but now that it is, I love it! It is great for these excersises but also great for just stretching out your back after a long day. We even keep it in the living room and use it as an extra chair- it burns more calories sitting on that then on the couch! The video is just a preview of the rest of the series, but, I think that as a beginners workout intro to the balance ball idea, it is good and certainly serves its purpose. It gives you a chance to get your balance and get strong enough to move on the the other videos!