WHEN it comes to exercising during pregnancy, the best pregnancy exercise ball can be an essential piece of kit.
However, a pregnancy ball is not just for exercise - and provides a multi-tasking tool that can be used in many ways during pregnancy.
The best pregnancy exercise balls can be used as chairs and during labour - plus they are fantastic at relieving pregnancy-related aches and pains.
It's tricky to get comfortable with a baby bump - especially if you're suffering from back pain or pelvic girdle pain - so a pregnancy exercise ball can double as a soft chair, which helps maintain your posture and relieves pressure on your lower back.
A pregnancy exercise ball is also helpful for a variety of gentle pregnancy exercises for the arms and legs to help you keep fit during pregnancy.
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They can also be used as birthing balls: women bounce on them, lean and roll on them and they can even help to progress labour.
As an extra bonus, these multi-purpose balls can be used as feeding chairs once the baby's arrived, or to gently bounce the baby to sleep in your arms.
Best pregnancy exercise balls at a glance:
- Best for pregnancy-related aches and pains: BABYGO Birthing Ball
- Best value pregnancy exercise ball: Opti Purple Gym Ball
- Best for workouts: Mantra Sports Exercise Ball Chair
- Best versatile pregnancy gym ball: Core Balance ball
- Best peanut shape exercise ball: Gymnic "Physio Roll 70cm" Ball
BABYGO Birthing Ball
- BABYGO Birthing Ball, from £24.95 at Amazon - buy here
This pregnancy exercise ball from BabyGo is a favourite for easing aches and pains in pregnancy, from SPD to sciatica, plus it can help postpartum recovery for women suffering from diastasis recti.
It's made from a BPA-free material that's five times stronger than a regular exercise ball and includes a handy book with pregnancy-friendly exercises for mums to be.
'This ball is excellent. I’ve had Pelvic Girdle Pain during my pregnancy which has really helped with easing.
'I’ve also sat on a few of my friends' birthing balls and they’re usually too tough, or too big for me, so choosing one where I can adjust the sizing has been great. Affordable and very sturdy, really helpful!' writes a fan.
Mind Body Future Yoga Ball Chair
- Mind Body Future Yoga Ball Chair, £14.99 at eBay - buy here
Not only does this pregnancy exercise ball come in three sizes - 55cm, 65cm and 75cm - it also has a base to stop it rolling, making it ideal as a replacement for your normal chair, during pregnancy.
The heavy-duty design also includes an e-book, mini foot pump, measuring tape, air stopper plug and plug removal tool.
Using it in pregnancy can help provide support and prepare the body for labour.
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Opti Purple Gym Ball - 65cm
- Opti Purple Gym Ball - 65cm, £11 at Argos - buy here
You don't need to spend a ton of money on a pregnancy exercise ball - this one is a third of the cost of most of the other options and does the job brilliantly.
This design includes a pump and is popular with pregnant women, as well as those who need it for post-surgery rehab.
Mantra Sports Exercise Ball Chair
- Mantra Sports Exercise Ball Chair, from £31.97 at Amazon - buy here
This Swiss ball is brilliant for exercise in pregnancy since it includes a stability base, resistance bands and a handy poster with exercises.
It's one to enjoy at the 'home gym' before, during and after pregnancy.
Trideer Exercise Ball
- Trideer Exercise Ball, from £17.49 at Amazon - buy here
Trideer's exercise ball is a good choice if you want a budget buy that happens to be incredibly tough.
This anti-burst, anti-slip design can support up to 2,000 lbs and includes an inflation foot pump.
It's made from an eco-friendly, hypoallergenic material and pregnant women love it.
'This was a godsend when pregnant, particularly in the 3rd trimester...
'It was so helpful when I got restless legs in pregnancy and for ensuring I sat up straight and forward to position baby correctly', writes a fan.
Core Balance ball
- Core Balance gym ball, £13.99 at Core Balance Fitness - buy here
The Core Balance gym ball is made from anti-burst PVC with anti-slip rings to prevent it from sliding away from you.
It can be used for a range of core strengthening exercises and to relieve back pain during pregnancy or as a birthing ball.
This great value ball is just £13.99 and comes in five different colours to suit your mood - including teal, purple and pink.
It's also available in four different sizes - choose the size that works best for your height.
Gymnic "Physio Roll 70cm" Ball
- Gymnic "Physio Roll 70cm" Ball - Blue - Peanut Shape Swiss Ball, £60.07 at Amazon - buy here
The unique shape of the peanut exercise ball makes it easier to use than a standard ball but just as effective for exercises, as well as back ache relief.
It's perfect for people with balance problems or those who are trying to improve core stability, flexibility or balance.
Peanut balls are also multi-purpose and said to be great at relieving pregnancy aches and discomforts but also useful at various stages of labour to ease pain in your back and pelvis.
Birth-ease fitness and birth ball
- Fitness and birth ball, from £19.99 from Birth-ease - buy here
A pregnancy fitness ball is always a great addition for birth, particularly for contractions, supporting labour and natural birth positions.
This one is made of a non-slip PVC, is latex-free and should the ball burst it is designed to deflate extremely slowly to support you and your baby.
RDX B2 Inflatable Yoga Ball with anti-slip base, resistance tubes and air pump
- RDX B2 Inflatable Yoga Ball with anti-slip base, resistance tubes and air pump, £31.99 at RDX Sports - buy here
A great option for pregnancy exercises, this RDX Sports ball offers professional quality and anti-burst durability.
The anti-slip bottom and inflatable base give you extra stability for balancing and sitting exercises but you can also easily take it away when you don't need it.
The ball is easy to inflate with a quick inflation foot pump. Plus, the set also includes resistance bands to add an extra element to your exercise ball workout.
Where to buy pregnancy exercise balls in the UK?
Here are some of the best retailers to buy pregnancy exercise balls online in the UK.
- Amazon
- Argos
- Decathlon
- RDX Sports
How much do pregnancy balls cost?
The majority of pregnancy exercise balls will set you back between £15 and £30 - depending on the quality and durability,
You might expect to pay a little more for a kit that includes extras with the ball, such as a base or resistance bands.
