The Lowdown
There are many great ways you can keep in shape without a gym or if you have minimal space, and the Sportneer Half Balance Ball is a phenomenal tool that you can use just about anywhere. There are a tremendous number of bodyweight exercises you can churn out with just yourself and the balance ball, and once you level up to include weights, then it gets really intense.
Overall
Pros
- Simple to set up
- Compact when deflated
- Comes with both workout and setup accessories
- The Sportneer Half Balance Ball is a highly versatile tool for both weighted and bodyweight workouts
Cons
- Since the plug isn’t built into the ball, there’s a risk of losing it
- The learning curve may be steep if you aren’t used to balance work
Sportneer impressed us greatly when they sent over their massage guns for us to review, and I’m so glad I had them on hand for the aftermath of this review. They followed up by sending the Sportneer Half Balance Ball, and it’s inspired my trainer to come up with new and interesting ways to torture train me.
The Sportneer Half Balance Ball comes with everything you need to set it up, including a foot pump to inflate it. You do want it pretty well-inflated because no one wants to make their balance ball experience even more challenging with a wobbly setup. Sportneer also includes tension straps if you’re going to utilize them for workouts and thoughtfully also has hooks on the Half Ball frame for easy attaching.
Inflating the Sportneer Half Balance Ball is quite easy. You insert the nozzle end in the ball, pump until it’s filled, then slap in the plug to keep it inflated, and you’re ready to go. Sportneer also includes extra plugs and a tool to pop the plug out. While it would be time-consuming to deflate and inflate it for every use, it’s thoughtful that they include extra in case of wear and tear.
Sportneer says that the PVC used for the Half Ball can withstand up to 300 pounds, so you shouldn’t have to worry about it popping or springing a leak mid-workout. I’m using it on carpet, so I don’t have a grip issue, but there are several small rubber feet around the Sportneer Half Balance Ball’s bottom, so if you are using it on a slippery surface, it doesn’t end with you sliding across the room. Balance ball workouts are hard enough; there’s no need to level up on the difficulty!
So what can you do with the Sportneer Half Balance Ball? Well, this is where you can get really creative. Here’s a sampling of what I’ve done with it so far:
- Pushups: You can flip the balance ball upside down (inflated side down) and try to maintain pushup form while wobbling and hating life.
- Planks: Using the same setup as the pushups, you get the added bonus of learning about new muscles in your abs that will definitely hurt in two days and make you wonder where the appendix is located, just in case.
- Balance work: With the ball upside down, balance on one or both feet on the platform. For added difficulty — try one-legged deadlifts and other variations.
- V-seat presses: With the flat part down, you balance in a v-seat on the ball portion and attempt to do overhead presses without tipping over.
I fully anticipate my trainer will come up with even more ways to make me regret telling her about the Sportneer Half Balance Ball. Note that I’m working specifically on targeting the upper body, which is why most of my workouts focused on the back, shoulders, and arms. If you’re wondering what else you can do with a half balance ball, Healthline has an excellent article that includes helpful videos to illustrate the various ways you can absolutely kick your own ass with a half balance ball.
25-pound kettlebell in front of the Sportneer Half Balance Ball for scale.
There are many great ways you can keep in shape without a gym or if you have minimal space, and the Sportneer Half Balance Ball is a compact, phenomenal tool that you can use just about anywhere. There are a tremendous number of bodyweight exercises you can churn out with just yourself and the balance ball, and once you level up to include weights, then it gets really intense.
As with any new exercise, start slowly, and with balance work, in particular, make sure you’re aware of your surroundings and listen to your body. While it would be a bit of a hassle, you could even deflate the ball between uses to save space further, but even inflated, the Sportneer Half Balance Ball fits in a closet or behind a couch fairly easily. At $65.99, it isn’t the absolute cheapest piece of equipment. Still, given the sheer range of possibilities, the Sportneer Half Balance Ball is a worthwhile addition to your home gym!
The Sportneer Half Balance Ball retails for $65.99; it is available directly from the manufacturer.
Source: Manufacturer supplied review sample.
What I Like: Simple to set up; Compact when deflated; Comes with both workout and setup accessories; The Sportneer Half Balance Ball is a highly versatile tool for both weighted and bodyweight workouts
What Needs Improvement: Since the plug isn’t built into the ball, there’s a risk of losing it; The learning curve may be steep if you aren’t used to balance work