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1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Which GoFit Ball is right for you? Three different models Feb 17, 2010
Comparison of three GoFit 65mm balls PLUS three other brands. All were 65cm, except the Everlast. I compared material weight, texture, weight rating, odors and pumps.
First up, #1: GoFit "Premium" model no, GF-65BRBall, ©2009. Second, #2: GoFit "Ultimate", model no. GF-65BrBall-B ©2008. Third, #3: GoFit "Professional". Fourth, #4: Everlast "Burst -Resistant Fitness Ball no. EX3584YE, yellow 75cm " and finally, Fith, #5: Valeo 65mm. All included pumps and DVD's. Cost: Three green Lincolns out the door at Big 5 Sporting Goods thru Feb 2010 on all except GoFit "Pro".
Quick Summary: My final choice was #1, the purple 65cm ©2009, GoFit "Premium" model no, GF-65BRBall (no suffix-B) Note: this is not the same as the "ultimate" model in this Amazon listing, rather, it is Big5 SKU no. 04052742 and UPC 6 87339 20270 3. Not sure if Amazon sells the GoFit "Premium". GoFit "Premium" was the only one, other than the GoFit "Pro" (available from Amazon), that resembled health club quality to me. Yet, "Premium" was only a fraction of the price and best value for it's 1,000 lb weight capacity, low odor and sturdy material. The "Ultimate" model in this Amazon listing is rated at only 600 lbs. Some balls have "burst-resistant" or "xxxx lbs. weight rated" on the package. The so called "burst-resistant" Everlast 75cm was only rated to 330 lbs compared to the GoFit "Premium" rated at 1,000 lbs. "Burst-resistant" supposedly means that the ball will not suddenly deflate. A higher weight rating seemed more relevant to me. The GoFit Pro is rated at 1,200 lbs but was three times the price. Two other ways to measure the quality: Open the box an rub two layers between thumb and index finger, or, compare the deflated ball weights in each hand. I believe that GoFit Premium and GoFit Pro will be more puncture resistant than the others owing to heavier, thicker material. Both should also be highly suitable for chair use.
Textures and weight: smooth vs. textured. All the store brands, including the GoFit "Ultimate" had textured material. Only GoFit "Premium" and "Pro"models have smooth material. I prefer the smooth vs. the sticky rough material for several reasons. Ease of cleaning; did not stick to my body; thicker material; seemed less likely to puncture. Note: Ultra-light weight, high end backpacking tents are now made of thinner, lighter , costlier materials, so light weight doesn't always correlate to low quality or low strength. Still, my expensive Mountain HardWear, although light and strong, does puncture easily. GoFit "Premium"= 1,000 lb weight vs. Everlast ex3584ye10LtKRB = 330 lbs Vs. GoFit "ultimate" = 600 lbs. Others- not weight rated on box.
Valve: There is only a hole, not a true "valve", in most of these fitness balls. Make sure that your ball comes with at least one plastic plug in the box. My GoFit "Premium" had one already inserted in the air entry plus a spare. Nothing worse than pumping these things up and finding out that the plug is missing.
Core Stability vs. Fitness vs. Therapy balls: Seems to be different names for the same thing. Correct me if I am wrong here.
DVD's: Both the GoFit "Premium" and the "Ultimate" came with a 25 min "Linda Leene" DVD. The Everlast comes with a DVD entitled "Greatness is Within", EX3582, unknown running time. I did not watch either video. FORM, FORM. Technique and Form: It is most worthy to note that proper technique and form are required when exercising. I had the benefit of a physical therapist to correct me. What seemed intuitive on my own was actually not correct form at all. I am strengthening quads, hamstrings and core muscles. It is probably well worth a few dollars to have a professional observe and correct your form and technique from the start. Anyone can do it right at any age. Also, performing certain exercises in combination with a MediCare approved neoro-muscular-stimulator will boost your re-hab. If your MD prescribes an electrical NMI, and your P-T trains you in it's use then use it at home in combination with your ball, and perhaps ankle weight straps. Just remember, form is everything. Go easy the first few weeks. Your progress will amaze you in just a few weeks. You can watch a DVD but that is probably no better than reading an exercise pamphlet. If you have children, by all means, get interested in using a ball at an early age. Many injuries can be prevented in the first place if the body is well toned. Balls work many groups of muscles at once. They are the single best life long friend anyone can have at any age.
Pumps: My choice, GoFit "Premium" came with a foot, rater than a hand pump, although the pump was not a deciding factor for me. "Ultimate" and "Premium" comes with the same pump, a foot operated bellows type. The G-F bellows foot pump is nothing to write home about and appears disposable in quality... but, it worked very well one time. Simply plug the included poly ribbed hose in to the bellows, then select the included nozzle to fit the ball inlet. Insert and pump by foot. Toward the end of the pumping, I had to use the bellows like an accordion between my hands. I may have over-inflated it. No instructions for filling were in the box. Other evaluators have mentioned that you should inflate partially and leave over-night until the storage wrinkles disappear. I pumped away until right out of the box trying to rid the wrinkles. Go with the two stage , overnight method to avoid over stretching the ball in the first pumping. The other brands had hand pumps. If you need to fill and deflate for storage often, then buy a high volume electric air mattress pump. They are cheap and come with suction mode for deflation. Do not use a high pressure tire pump because they will take to long and can easily damage the ball.
Odors and volatiles: The GoFit "Premium" was totally free of volatile odors detectable to me. If you have high sensitivity to volatiles, understand that some are odorless. Generally, I always choose natural over synthetics whenever I can. Not an option for me in my three green Lincolns sale price range. The Everlast, made of thin, textured material had a strong odor in the wrapper. This one went right back on the shelf.
purchase date: 2-16-2010
 Smaller than advertised! Jan 19, 2010
The ball seems strong enough to support my 28 weeks pregnant weight (165 pounds). I'm really disappointed though, because is much smaller than 65 cm diameter. Now it's really inflated (more than what I would consider appropriate) and it is about 55 cm diameter (high), no more than that. I am 5.6 tall and had a hard time deciding if buying the 65 cm or the 75 cm, because I was pretty sure I wanted a ball big enough to comfortable sit on it. This one is OK but a little too hard now, and I think it would be way too small if I keep deflating it. Besides, the ball looks cheaper than in the picture, specially consider than is more expensive than other similar ones.
I think it is an OK product, but they shouldn't say it is a size it is not. After all, the size is the only way a costumer has to figure out if it would be big enough or not.
 great ball! great seller! Jan 05, 2010
fantastic ball for the price! only problem was there were no instructions how to inflate the ball, but it was pretty obvious how to do it!
1 of 2 found the following review helpful:
Durable Nov 22, 2009
I got this because it has a workout dvd. and let me tell you, it's a piece of crap. but the ball itself is good. its surface feels like matte photo paper. and it's plastic. i just can't figure out how to re-pump it after the first pump of air. because it started to go flat in the first week. so finally i had to use tweezers to get the plug out of the hole so i can pump more air.
Great workout ball! Jun 22, 2009
I've owned many fitness balls and I'm very pleased with this one. Its very durable, easy to inflate, holds the air, and its a pretty color. No complaints...would buy it again.
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