I bought Wai Lana Yoga Ball Kit 151 (Lana is part of the name) a few months ago when I started to take Pilates, Yoga and a class called Stability Ball. My gym has mats, but the mat that comes in this kit is special, which I will describe later. Our Yoga teacher thinks it nice to have our own surroundings (aura) when we sit and for Pilates it makes the positions much easier since it doesn’t slip like the gym mats do. The gym has a couple of balls but not enough so I wanted my own.

What it comes with:

~This kit comes with an inflatable yoga ball, an air pump and an exercise manual that shows you how to use the ball.

The Ball:

~Exercising with the ball is thought to “help coordination, increase flexibility and balance, loosen stiff joints, strengthen and tone muscles and stretch the back.” (from the manual) I work with clients in their homes as a personal trainer and have begun to bring the ball after they have learned the basics and have become conditioned.

~Since I do believe that this ball does all it claims and since I do feel that one should be conditioned before using it, I recommend that if you have never used one and are not a gym rat, you either take a class or have someone show you how to use it. Some of the movements on the ball can be dangerous if not done correctly.

~The instruction booklet gives you safety tips such as consulting a doctor if you are over 35 years of age or have a pre-existing medical condition, providing enough space for the exercises and removing sharp objects from your workout area. It states, “It is not a toy. Improper use may lead to injury.”

~I bought a kit with a 55cm or 22-inch ball. That is considered small. They come in different sizes and go by height. I am 5’4” and the 55cm is right for me. The small is for people 5’0” – 5’5”; the medium (65cm or 26") is for people 5’6” – 5’11” and the large (75cm or 30”) is for people 6’0” – 6’3.”

~It is suggested that you use the ball 3-4 times a week. I often use it to do abdominal work after my workouts at the gym in addition to the class at night.

~You should wipe it down after each workout session to keep it in good condition.

The Pump:

~The pump is 11” and not unlike a bicycle tire pump. It is made of very strong plastic. It has a point at the end which is inserted in the hole in the ball and a pump handle on the other end to inject air. The instruction booklet tells you how to inflate the ball and it was very easy to do.

~It does have to sit for 24 hours and then be filled again before you use it, so don’t buy one and expect to use it that day!

~There are a couple of negatives to pumping air into this ball:

1. When more air is needed it is difficult to get the plug out of the hole and a teaspoon is suggested to help. I have used pliers.

2. Even if I inflate it right before class it is not as firm as the balls at my gym. I could buy a ball from my gym or professional organization for $30-$40 but didn’t. This is adequate for the average user. Do expect to be pumping it weekly though. It does deflate. I have spoken with people who have bought them and after a year, they end up buying the more expensive balls. Since I didn’t know if I were going to continue with the Stability Ball class or take it to clients’ homes, I thought it a good deal at $19.99 which includes a mat which I would have bought separately for that amount of money.

~Before I tell you about the mat, I will tell you a bit more about the instruction booklet because it is really excellent. The exercises are in categories by beginners; intermediate and advanced with each of those levels defined. The type of exercise is named, for example Lower Back Rock and then you will read what type of exercise it is: “Relaxation;” the target area “Lower Back;” how to begin is described very well (Lie down on your back. Bending your knees slightly place the ball under your legs…..) and the exercise itself is then described. (Inhale deeply, and as you exhale, rock the ball slightly to the right side…..) There are 24 exercises in all described.

The Mat:

I really like my mat. It isn’t perfect but again for the price you can’t go wrong. It is a 68” mat that is sticky. It is 24” wide and 1/8" thick. It is not sticky to the touch. If you have ever put a mat down under an area rug so the rug doesn’t slip that mat sticks to the floor. That is what this is like. It is cushioned but not so cushioned that I don’t put a gym mat under it. Many people use it right on the floor but it is thin and if the floor is hard (Which it will be because you won’t be using this on a rug!) you may want to put something under it, especially for kneeling postures. You can buy much more expensive Yoga mats that are highly cushioned but you will pay a lot more for them. This works for me and everyone in my Pilates and Yoga classes has them!

~You can machine wash the mat in cold water with a mild detergent but don’t dry it in a machine. Air dry it. I would recommend hand washing it and then rolling it in a towel to squeeze out the extra moisture. Since it can be machine washed if something happens to it when you do, you should be able to return it. It is really, really lightweight and easy to roll up and carry.

My final thoughts:

I do really like my kit: ball, mat, pump and instruction booklet. The ball and mat are not perfect but they are good for my use and I work out for a living. If you are a Yoga instructor or a Stability Ball teacher, most likely you will not be buying this kit. I do recommend it, especially for the price.

If you have any questions, leave a comment. I will glad to answer them.

The website is http://wailana.com/


Recommended: Yes