14 DAY TRIAL // The Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a warning saying that some fitness balls can explode, causing the user bruises, contusions and even fractures from hitting the floor. Such balls produced by EB Brands are now being recalled and replaced following a series of incidents caused by their exploding, the warning also says.
Fitness balls are ideal for a series of exercises, being used for workouts such as Pilates and weight training, with the users balancing on them while doing them. The balls produced by EB Brands, some of which have exploded while being used, are not being pulled off the market though, the manufacturer says. The issue is not that the balls are not good, but rather that they turn defective when they’re over-inflated, the manufacturer further explains.
“EB Brands has received 47 reports of fitness balls unexpectedly bursting, including reports of a fracture, and multiple bruises.” the CPSC warning says. The manufacturer has voluntarily offered to recall the products and have them replaced but, as noted above, that does not mean it will no longer be on the market. Instead, EB Brands also warns customers not to over-inflate the balls, while also paying more attention to the extra warning sign added on the product.
“The product is not faulty; it was not found to be defective.” Brian Anderson, president of the fitness division of EB Brands, says for the Health Blog. “EB Brands says it’s warning consumers not to put too much air into them, and it’s adding a new sticker inside the product box and on the inflation pump to the same effect. It’s also revising its inflation instructions in the package, and it’s giving away measuring tape of lengths specific to the correct inflation sizes.” the Health Blog further explains the methods taken to ensure such incidents no longer occur.
The bottom line is that fitness balls, just like any other gym equipment, come with a set of specifications and instructions, which must be followed accordingly. Pumping too much air can cause them to explode when pressure is applied, which is why users are urged to pay due attention to avoid accidents.