Robust and grippy, the diminutive Pro 11 Wellbeing Yoga Ball is an excellent travel option at an affordable price.
When it comes to enhancing your workout routine, a good exercise ball can make all the difference. For me, the ideal exercise ball is made from durable, puncture-resistant materials, has options for various sizes to accommodate different users, and boasts excellent slip resistance to prevent any unwanted accidents during dynamic movements.
Easy inflation and stability are also important, as I want an exercise ball that maintains its shape and firmness over time. And a lightweight design makes it easy to transport between home and the gym. With all these features in mind, I was excited to explore how the Pro 11 Wellbeing Yoga Ball measures up.
Men’s Fitness verdict
Robust and grippy, the diminutive Pro 11 Wellbeing Yoga Ball is an excellent travel option at an affordable price. It might be too small for larger users though.- Great value
- Grippy surface
- Needs guesswork to get firmness right
- Only available in 55cm
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We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test. Our team of reviewers includes experienced product testers, PTs and fitness writers – as well as the core MF team – who know exactly what sets the best products apart from the rest.
Pro 11 Wellbeing Yoga Ball design and build quality
To start, for its competitive price I can forgive Pro 11 Wellbeing Ball – better known for its specialist insoles and supports than producing the best exercise balls – for not including a pump with its gym ball. But if you can get your hands on an electric or hand pump, it takes about three minutes to get the ball from folded flat to fully inflated. Once inflated, the ball can be secured easily using one of the two included plugs – a thoughtful feature since having a spare is always beneficial.
The ball is only available in one size (55cm), which may be too small for users with longer limbs, but this size does contribute to its portability, making it easy to transport between home and office. The materials used are slip-resistant, which, along with the anti-slip rings, ensures that the ball stays firmly in place during use, making it suitable for dynamic exercises.
User experience
While the yoga ball initially requires some trial and error to achieve the desired firmness – due to the absence of instructions or a tape measure – it ultimately feels firm and supportive, even when paired with free weights.
You should be aware that the ball may lose some air over time, though, especially in colder environments. Despite its one-size limitation, I appreciated the lightweight nature of the ball, facilitating ease of transport and use in various settings. Overall, the Pro 11 Wellbeing Yoga Ball proves to be a reliable option for dynamic exercises, provided that you’re mindful of its size and inflation needs.
How it compares
When comparing the Pro 11 Wellbeing Yoga Ball to our top-rated exercise ball, the Technogym Wellness Ball, there are some notable differences. The Technogym Ball is designed primarily as both an exercise and ergonomic seating option and is constructed from thick, textured non-slip PVC, providing a comfortable and stable experience that doesn’t slide out from under you during use. It also features a dual-density structure, with the lower half being denser than the upper half, ensuring superior balance and stability, particularly useful when transitioning from sitting to standing.
One of the standout features of the Technogym Wellness Ball is its removable multi-layered fabric cover, which is supportive, breathable, and adds further grip and cushioning. This cover is also washable and antibacterial, making it easy to keep clean.
However, the premium quality and additional features of the Technogym product come at a significantly higher price. This price point is somewhat justified by the top-notch materials and added benefits like access to instructional videos and apps that enhance its use. But for those on a budget, the Pro 11 Wellbeing Yoga Ball offers a more affordable, albeit simpler, alternative. While it may not have all the luxurious features of the Technogym ball, it provides essential stability and functionality suitable for a variety of exercises.
If you’re looking at it as an investment for improved posture and spinal health, the Technogym Wellness Ball’s higher price might start to seem reasonable. Yet, the Pro 11 Wellbeing Yoga Ball still stands strong as a practical and budget-friendly choice.
How we test the best exercise balls
Our testers – in this case Lucy Miller – used each exercise ball as part of their day-to-day fitness routine for at least a month. They tested them during bodyweight workouts, resistance weight training and mobility work and judged them on their firmness, durability and comfort – taking price, maximum load, ease of inflation and color/size options, as well as accessories into account when awarding a final score.
