SAFE USAGE, SWISS BALL CARE & GUIDELINES FOR COMMERCIAL USERS OF SWISS BALLS 

DURABILITY OF SWISS BALLS
Swiss balls do not last forever and should be viewed in a similar way to tyres!  The more and ahrder you use your ball the sooner it will need to be replaced.  In commercial use and where there is possible risk of the ball being abused it would be advisable to change balls every 3-6 months.  In a domestic envirnoment where the ball is stored safely out of harms way a ball can last many years.

REPAIRING A DAMAGED BALL
LIke all Swiss Balls, Fitness-Mad Swiss balls are not repairable. Damaged balls should be disposed of to avoid risk of injury

WHERE TO USE A SWISS BALL
Swiss Balls are best used in rooms free of other gym equipment or furniture as this reduces the possibility for abuse of the ball.  If balls get kicked against other pieces of gym equipment or furniture with corners this can damage the inside of the ball and reduce or remove the burst resistance. Do NOT excercise on a ball near furniture of objects that you could fall on. Ideally you should workout on a padded floor of at least 15mm thick to avoid the risk of injury if you fall off the ball.  Don ot leave other pieces of excercise equipment, such as dumbbells on the floor around where you are working out. Before working out check that the floor of your exercise area is clear of sharp objects such as stones, drawing pins, paper clips, glass etc.

INFLATION
Be sure that the Swiss Ball is inflated to the correct size - the size printed on the ball should be the height of the ball when inflated correctly.  Over inflation may damage the burst resitance of the ball by over-stretching the skin. ON first uinflation this should be done in a two stage process due to the heavyweight nature of Fitness-Mad balls.  Never inflate the ball when the temperature is outside the range of 18-32 degrees. Never inflate with a high pressure hose as this can damage the ball and or cause the ball to explode.

STATIC VS DYNAMIC LOADING
Though our balls are tested with loads in excess of 1.5 or 1.7 tons (depending on the ball) using a 700mm square plate moving at 700mm/min. Dynamic loads, such as you exercising on the ball are quite different and exert significantly greater forces on the ball, the Static load rating is therfore not a guide to how much weight you can use on the ball.  Never exceed the burst-resistant rating of the swiss ball (300 or 500Kg depending on which Fitness-Mad ball).

USING WEIGHTS ON THE BALL
We recommend for safety that if you are using weights on the ball that you do not use more weights than your bodyweight.  Never use havey weights on a Swiss Ball without another person being present. Do not use weights on a Swiss Ball until you are familair with using a Swiss ball and its characteritic lack of stability.  Do not leave dumbbells or other equipment on the floor around the area in which you are working out on your ball.  

BACK EXERCISES ON THE SWISS BALL
It is advisable not to do supine exercises (back over the ball) without assistance from another person.

USERS NEW TO SWISS BALLS
Swiss Balls are fundamentally unstable and if you are unsure how suitable a Swiss Ball is for you or for any medical condition you may have consult a qualified health professional before use.  You should always consult your Doctor before starting any new exercise regime.  Similarly if you are unsure how good your balance is when first using a swiss ball it is advisable to only use the ball in the company of another person.

CHILDREN & SWISS BALLS
Swiss Balls are not toys and are not suitable for unsupervised use by young children. Store out of reach of children as children are liekly to play with the ball and may knock the ball against sharp objects which could damage the inside or the skin of the ball.

INSPECT BEFORE EACH USE
Check the surface of your Swiss Ball before each use for surface damage and abrasions. Look for any signs of damage and do not use your ball if the surface is damaged in any way.

CLEANING YOUR BALL
Your ball can be wiped clean using a damp cloth and mild detergent. Avoid using harsh chemicals.

NOTE FOR COMMERCIAL USERS OF FITNESS-MAD SWISS BALLS
As a commerical operator of a gym or studio you have the responsibility to ensure the safety of your customers whilst on your premises. Similarly it is your responsibility to ensure that all equipment is safe and does not present any danger to your clients.

Swiss balls are an essential piece of modern training equipment but they do require daily inspection as part of your safety policy to ensure that they are safe to use.

1) Inspect balls daily for:
a) Damage - disposing of any balls showing any signs of damage or abuse are evident
b) Correct inflation - always use a measuring device to ensure correct inflation when inflating for the first time.  Our balls require a two stage inflation for first inflation due to the heavyweight nature of these balls.  Tip: Mark a wall close by showing vertical heights for each ball size for ease of checking measurement. Do NOT inflate Swiss Balls with a high pressure hose as this can damage the Ball.  Do not inflate a ball if temperatures below 18 or higher than 32 degrees

2) Choose an appropriate place for using Swiss Balls
a) Preferrably in a room free of other equipment and furniture that balls can be kicked against
b) Ensure that there is a suitably padded floor (preferrably 15mm thick) underneath the area intended for Swiss Ball use
c) Check the Swiss Ball excerise area regularly for dirt, grit or sharp objects that could damage the ball 

3) Know the age of your balls & Replace every 6 months or on first sign of damage
It is nearly impossible to monitor the use or abuse of a Swiss ball in a commercial environment so it is advisable to replace Swiss Balls every 6 months regardless of appearance. If a ball has been kicked against the corner of a piece of equipment it is possible that damage can have been done to the inner structure of the ball that is not visible on the surface.  Tip: Write the date of first inflation on the ball using a permanent marker pen and check this regularly.  Diarise a balls replacement date 6 months from the date of fist inflation.

4) Implement a Swiss Ball Safety Policy
Implement a Swiss Ball safety Policy for all staff and make this part of your Staff Induction process

5) ALWAYS supervise clients using a Swiss Ball
Instruct clienst on the correct use of the ball that matches their existing balance and core stability skills. High risk groups such as the elderly, injured or overweight should only use a Swiss Ball under supervision. Tip: A poster in your Swiss Ball training area highlighting these points is recommended.

6) STORAGE
a) Store your balls in a place where they are unlikely to be abused. Investing in a rack prevents balls rolling around and reduces the temptation for people to kick them
b) Never leave the ball near a heat source