I bought this ball exclusively as a birthing ball. I used it at home to sit on while at the table or even just watching TV. I could sit longer without my lower back hurting, and in the 3rd trimester I would kneel on the floor and lay my head on the ball. This helped take the pressure of my back and also helps the baby fall into the right position for birth (from what I've read). When you do get it.. be ready for an arm workout as the pump is manual and takes a little while to pump up.. my husband and i took turns!

Out of all the exercise balls on amazon on went with this one for two reasons; a customer review that says animal hair does not stick to it, and the many responses to the questions from the seller. It was shipped quickly, and all parts were included in the box. It was easy to inflate with the included manual pump. I ordered this ball to use as a birthing ball (in the next couple of days hopefully!) but I know I will use it as an exercise ball as well. My only con would be, even inflated to the appropriate amount (as per the measuring tape they include) my knees are above my hips, meaning the ball is too small for me...and I'm only 5'2. I followed the size chart, but I wish I would have ordered the next size up. So if you're 5'2 or taller, go with the 65 instead. I would exchange if I hadn't unwrapped it all and inflated. And if I wasn't expected a baby any day!

The ball is good quality and looks heavy duty. The issue I have is quality control. The exercise pamphlet included is for a foam roller. Would be nice to have the proper brochure. The measuring tape is a flimsy black plastic with no markings on it. I assume it's the measuring tape but who knows what it's for as there are no instructions.

I purchased the 65cm purple ball. After reading the reviews about the sizing of the ball, I pumped the gym ball by
1) insert the hole of the one end of the black measuring tape that came with the gym ball to the nozzle of the pump,
2) wrap with the tape around the ball vertically (when inflation hole faces up) then
3) insert the hole on the other end of the tape to the nozzle of the pump then finally
4) insert nozzle into the inflation hole of the ball (try to insert the nozzle deep enough so it stays in the ball during pumping.

After this setup then start the pumping. Yes it takes a while for a small pump and a large gym ball. The trick to efficient pumping is "quick frequency" cause I found that if I pump slowly, somehow not much air is entering the pump and ball. Do short quick pumping and you can take breaks in between sessions. It takes me 5 minutes to pump and I feel it is not that much difficult but I see elderly people may need to take turn.

NOTICE that you should be keeping pumping even though at first the ball seem not possible to reach the length of the tape. The ball is elastic in material so trust me it DOES REACH THE PERIMETER OF THE TAPE eventually. When finishing pumping, block the inflation hole with thumb quickly right after you remove the pump nozzle, and insert the pin asap to avoid the air coming out of the ball.

I bought the used (opened box) item from amazon warehouse so somehow the exercise guide is missing. I emailed the SmarterLife through their website and they responsed me quickly and email me back the exercise guide after checking my order number. I feel they are pretty responsive to their customer (see the negative reviews for their reply) and stand behind their product, and that's part of the reason I chose this ball instead of other options here on Amazon. I will update this review after using it a while to see if it deflate over use.

Sizing: I am 5'6'' with short legs and using this as a chair in front of my desk. 65cm works for my purpose. Though my thigh is not at 90degree to my calf (which was suggested using as a chair), I feel it I went with 55cm then my desk would be too high.

We've owned two of these now, the first died a most ignominious death when my hubby kicked it into a hinge whose spring was popped out. But I liked it so much we bought a second, and I've had two other brands of yoga ball that I didn't like nearly so well.

These see heavy use in our house. We use them for occupational therapy exercises for my preschooler, who because of his Sotos Syndrome, has poor muscle tone in his core. He also needs the vestibular input because of his sensory issues. And now because of how tall he's gotten, he can actually sit on this thing and bounce on his own, which he does frequently. Which is not a problem with the product, it is the perfect size for me as his mom at 5 ' 3", he's just that tall.

I also use it sometimes for abdominal exercises, and to do calming (calming for him) exercises for with both him and I on it. My daughter also uses this as both a chair and to bounce around on.

It has been durable, and it doesn't deflate as easily as some of the other yoga balls I've had in the past, which is a must in our house given the kind of abuse my kiddos are capable of doing with this thing. It also has survived the kitties and their claws, and I'm pretty sure one of our other yoga balls died because the wall was thinner and it had an unfortunate encounter with one of our little cuties. So this is definitely a yoga ball I recommend.