The Swiss ball has been around for a few decades now, but it has taken many years for it to become a favorite workout tool for the general public. Despite its name, the Swiss ball originated in Italy in the 1960’s by a toy manufacturer. Eventually, European physical therapists discovered its versatile purposes in rehabilitation. In the 1980’s, when physical therapists from America visited several PT facilities in Switzerland and saw the innovative, effective techniques using the ball, they brought their new-found knowledge back to the U.S. and termed the balls “Swiss balls”.

By the 1990’s, the fitness industry caught on to the incredible “new” fitness tool. Today, virtually every gym houses a stock of Swiss balls for participants’ use, both by personal trainers and group fitness classes. Stores across the country include these inflatable balls as a standard in their exercise equipment departments, and many fitness equipment suppliers boast to have the best balls.