Is the Barre3 Ball Anything Special?

daisysunshine · 01-16-12, 07:54 PM

I keep looking at that ball and other than the barre3 symbol on it, is it the ball the same... I have this ball

http://www.amazon.com/Soft-Overball-...6761300&sr=8-2

I'm just curious because it looks like Sadie can do a lot of things with that ball.

Thanks in Advance!

Eibhinn · 01-16-12, 08:20 PM

The ball Sadie uses in Barre3 is a Fitball mini.
As far as I can tell, the same ball is included in the Element: Total Body Pilates kit (Lisa Hubbard) and the 10 Minute Solution: Quick Sculpt Pilates with Ball kit (Andrew Leigh Rogers).

Although I'm not familiar with the ball you have, the fitball mini has a couple characteristics that make it very different from other fitness balls/playground balls I've used for workouts

It's very thin and soft. I have no idea what it's made out of, but I'm constantly surprised the thing doesn't burst. It feels like a balloon, albeit a very thick one. As a result, it contours around your body to a greater degree than other playground type balls, and you can squeeze it and it has enough give that it shapes around your body - for example behind a knee - instead of slipping away because it's too round. Despite being more pliable than a playground ball, it has just enough structural integrity to provide some resistance when squeezed.

It has a kind of porous surface - there are tiny crater-like holes all over it - which makes it tacky like a nice yoga mat. If I press my hands against the sides of it, they stick a little bit when I pull away. As a result, the ball stays put when doing exercises.

Before I got the fitball mini I hated workouts that use the ball. I found them frustrating because the ball would slip and slide around and I could never keep it in place. I felt like I spent most of my time repositioning or chasing the ball around. Since buying Barre3 (and getting the fitball with it) I've revisited workouts using the ball, and found I love them. Not only is the fitball special, I would argue it's magic. I love love love it.

Here it is on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/FitBall-Mini-E...6762050&sr=8-1

And I found a Canadian company who sell it, and bookmarked it in case mine ever breaks:
http://www.incrediball.ca/?p=337

I've never bought anything from Incrediball, so I can't vouch for their customer service or shipping costs, but that's a domestic option if you're interested in converting to the magic ball.

Gancho Girl · 01-16-12, 09:15 PM

I've got both the Fitball and the Overball, and while I like both, I prefer the Fitball. Mainly because the Fitball is stickier and have more give (and is easier to blow up!).

In fact, I like the Fitball so much, I've got two. But I have this whole freaky ball obsession going on...

trishthedish · 01-17-12, 07:07 AM

Daisy - it really is a must have ball! You know this!

topfitmama · 01-17-12, 07:23 AM

Well, I can't find the magic ball in Germany!

I'm pretty happy with my overball, which has a porous like surface and feels a bit sticky, but it has started deflating a little so I have to inflate it every time, which is a bit of a pain with that little straw thing and the plug.
Is it normal for them to lose air?

trishthedish · 01-17-12, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by topfitmama

Well, I can't find the magic ball in Germany!

I'm pretty happy with my overball, which has a porous like surface and feels a bit sticky, but it has started deflating a little so I have to inflate it every time, which is a bit of a pain with that little straw thing and the plug.
Is it normal for them to lose air?

I know my fitball doesn't. I've had it for almost 2 years now and haven't had to re-inflate it. So it must cost a lot to ship from the US then?

daisysunshine · 01-17-12, 09:09 AM

I blow into mine. i pull out the plug - and just BLOW!
the overball is porous but it doesn't really stick sometimes.

this is sad - but I'll save up and get this ball.

topfitmama · 01-17-12, 11:19 AM

I blow too, Daisy, through the straw!

topfitmama · 01-17-12, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trishthedish

I know my fitball doesn't. I've had it for almost 2 years now and haven't had to re-inflate it. So it must cost a lot to ship from the US then?

I don't know how much it costs to ship the ball, but it can't be much because they are small and don't weigh much. Some sellers on Amazon offer international shipping but I can't figure out how much it would be...
Anyway, no big deal!

Eibhinn · 01-17-12, 11:42 AM

Here's the "where to buy" section on the Fitball company website:

http://www.balldynamics.com/where_to_buy.php

Surely at least one of those companies offers reasonable international shipping!

Or maybe it's a good excuse to buy Barre3 from Sadie - I recall her shipping to Canada being reasonable AND fast. Or you could buy one of the kits I mentioned above if you could find that more easily.

Support VF
VF Membership Subscription
Shop These Vendors
Activa	Collage Video
Amazon.com	eBay.com
Amazon.ca (Canada)	Half.com
Amazon.co.uk (UK)	Junonia
Amazon.fr (France)	Onehanesplace.com
BN.com	Overstock.com
Buy.com	Road Runner Sports
CenturyFitness.com	Sierra Trading Post

01-16-12, 07:54 PM
daisysunshine Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: on my yoga mat	Is the Barre3 Ball Anything Special? I keep looking at that ball and other than the barre3 symbol on it, is it the ball the same... I have this ball http://www.amazon.com/Soft-Overball-...6761300&sr=8-2 I'm just curious because it looks like Sadie can do a lot of things with that ball. Thanks in Advance! __________________ Set your intention and go for it! Tracy Effinger ...right now you're saying, no i can't do this. you should know by now i don't train that way - Dasha Libin offering the two tracey mallet dance workouts, pm me.

01-16-12, 08:20 PM
Eibhinn Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlantic Canada	The ball Sadie uses in Barre3 is a Fitball mini. As far as I can tell, the same ball is included in the Element: Total Body Pilates kit (Lisa Hubbard) and the 10 Minute Solution: Quick Sculpt Pilates with Ball kit (Andrew Leigh Rogers). Although I'm not familiar with the ball you have, the fitball mini has a couple characteristics that make it very different from other fitness balls/playground balls I've used for workouts It's very thin and soft. I have no idea what it's made out of, but I'm constantly surprised the thing doesn't burst. It feels like a balloon, albeit a very thick one. As a result, it contours around your body to a greater degree than other playground type balls, and you can squeeze it and it has enough give that it shapes around your body - for example behind a knee - instead of slipping away because it's too round. Despite being more pliable than a playground ball, it has just enough structural integrity to provide some resistance when squeezed. It has a kind of porous surface - there are tiny crater-like holes all over it - which makes it tacky like a nice yoga mat. If I press my hands against the sides of it, they stick a little bit when I pull away. As a result, the ball stays put when doing exercises. Before I got the fitball mini I hated workouts that use the ball. I found them frustrating because the ball would slip and slide around and I could never keep it in place. I felt like I spent most of my time repositioning or chasing the ball around. Since buying Barre3 (and getting the fitball with it) I've revisited workouts using the ball, and found I love them. Not only is the fitball special, I would argue it's magic. I love love love it. Here it is on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/FitBall-Mini-E...6762050&sr=8-1 And I found a Canadian company who sell it, and bookmarked it in case mine ever breaks: http://www.incrediball.ca/?p=337 I've never bought anything from Incrediball, so I can't vouch for their customer service or shipping costs, but that's a domestic option if you're interested in converting to the magic ball.

01-16-12, 09:15 PM
Gancho Girl Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Zealand	I've got both the Fitball and the Overball, and while I like both, I prefer the Fitball. Mainly because the Fitball is stickier and have more give (and is easier to blow up!). In fact, I like the Fitball so much, I've got two. But I have this whole freaky ball obsession going on... __________________ Life is like a Britney Spears' song - devoid of all meaning but, bugger it, let's dance. --- http://livingroomathlete.blogspot.com/ Disclosure statement: I am a facilitator for Misty Tripoli's THE GROOVE and a Pilates instructor.

01-17-12, 07:07 AM
trishthedish Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Baxter, MN	Daisy - it really is a must have ball! You know this! __________________ ~Tricia~

01-17-12, 07:23 AM
topfitmama Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Germany	Well, I can't find the magic ball in Germany! I'm pretty happy with my overball, which has a porous like surface and feels a bit sticky, but it has started deflating a little so I have to inflate it every time, which is a bit of a pain with that little straw thing and the plug. Is it normal for them to lose air?

01-17-12, 09:09 AM
daisysunshine Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: on my yoga mat	I blow into mine. i pull out the plug - and just BLOW! the overball is porous but it doesn't really stick sometimes. this is sad - but I'll save up and get this ball. __________________ Set your intention and go for it! Tracy Effinger ...right now you're saying, no i can't do this. you should know by now i don't train that way - Dasha Libin offering the two tracey mallet dance workouts, pm me.

01-17-12, 11:19 AM
topfitmama Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Germany	I blow too, Daisy, through the straw!

01-17-12, 11:42 AM
Eibhinn Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlantic Canada	Here's the "where to buy" section on the Fitball company website: http://www.balldynamics.com/where_to_buy.php Surely at least one of those companies offers reasonable international shipping! Or maybe it's a good excuse to buy Barre3 from Sadie - I recall her shipping to Canada being reasonable AND fast. Or you could buy one of the kits I mentioned above if you could find that more easily.