When talking about powerful massage devices, lacrosse balls and tennis balls come to mind. The good news is there’s something better between these two and that’s a yoga tune up ball. The best yoga tune up balls are slightly softer than regular lacrosse balls and sturdier than tennis balls.
These yoga tune up balls are therapy balls used for relieving pain from various parts of the body, including the back and shoulders. These balls have the power to smooth out tight muscles and remove the knots. Let’s check my favorite yoga tune balls below.
Quick Answer:
1. Yoga Tune Up Therapy Ball Pair In Tote
This pair of Yoga Tune Up Therapy Balls comes at an attractive green apple color and average size. I like the soft rubber grip because it grips at your skin carefully. It also rubs out the tension and adhesion, offering a deep tissue massage.
The Alpha Ball provides a huge amount of grip to massage large muscle masses, like buttocks and pecs. I like to use this large ball against the wall and roll it along my shoulders for that deep massage. The top layer feels soft, so the ball doesn’t cause any abrasions on the skin.
3. Tune Up Fitness Therapy Ball Plus
The Therapy Ball Plus is a little bigger than the original Therapy Balls but way smaller than the Alpha Ball. These balls provide a more coverage area and greater depth of pressure. I find more relief when I use these balls on my neck, shoulders, and spine.
Editor's Pick: The Best Yoga Tune Up Balls
What Is Yoga Tune Up Therapy Ball?
A yoga tune up therapy ball used to massage deep tissues for relief of muscle pain, soreness, and fatigue. The size is similar to a tennis ball, which is about 2.5 inches in diameter. However, some models are already bigger, measuring up to 3.6 inches.
Compared to lacrosse balls, these therapy balls are slightly softer, so they don’t cause any more pain on sensitive soft tissues. These balls are engineered with an accurate mix of materials to provide the right amount of firmness. Typically, the material used is natural rubber to show superb tensile strength and resilience.
Advantages Of Tune Up Therapy Balls
The main benefit of these therapy balls is the minimization of pain. These balls hit the problem areas to remove the muscle knots and soreness.
These therapy balls are also excellent in improving mobility as it reduces muscle fatigue and pain. They can help assist tissue healing and avoid injury to improve physical performance. These simple yet powerful massage tools can also help increase mobility as it breaks through tissue adhesion within the fascia area.
How Do You Use A Yoga Ball Tuneup
First, find something sturdy, like a wall or floor, and place the ball in-between. You can do many positions, such as:
1. Rolling the ball on your foot to work the muscles.
2. Pressing against a wall for your glutes.
3. Lying on the floor face up to work the spine.
4. Lying on the floor face down to work the hips.
If your therapy balls come with a net, you can use that to make a roller for your shoulders and back.
What To Look For On A Good Yoga Ball Tuneup
Size
The standard size of a yoga ball tuneup is about 2.5 inches in diameter. If you want something bigger, you can go with a 2.75 or more. The bigger the size, the larger area it can cover.
Mesh Tote Bag
If you like to keep the balls together, look for a tote bag. This bag can also serve as a good roller for your back.
Firmness And Softness
The amount of softness and hardness depend on your preference. Typically, these balls are hard to give enough pressure to hit the muscle knots.
5 Best Yoga Tune Up Balls Reviews
1. Yoga Tune Up Therapy Ball Pair In Tote
This pair is the original therapy balls from Yoga Tune Up, measuring about 2-1/2 inches in diameter. These small balls are good for relieving the sore muscles around the shoulders, neck, feet, and back. I like that the package comes with a tight-fitting mesh drawstring tote bag for spine rolls and simply storage.
It actually feels great holding the balls and massaging them on the pressure points steadily. The special rubber surface feels smooth on the skin and gets squishy with adequate pressure. Additionally, the green apple color option looks very pleasing to my eyes.
However, these balls feel very firm at first use, but they get slightly softer with each use. I recommend using them in your feet to soften the balls up even more. Also, they may cause some allergic reactions due to latex content.
PROS:
- Excellent in relieving sore muscles in small areas
- It includes a tote bag for storage and spine roll
- Has the best size for holding the ball comfortably
- Special rubber material feels smooth to the skin
- It looks refreshing with its green apple color
CONS:
- It feels very hard the first time
- May cause latex allergic reactions
Best For:
The Yoga Tune Up Therapy Balls is the best for massaging the neck, shoulders, back, and spine.
2. Tune Up Fitness Alpha Ball
Measuring around 3.5 inches in diameter, the Alpha Ball is quite massive. I love the size of this ball because it’s huge enough to offer a broad compression and target a large muscle mass. This ball is pretty firm at the core but a little soft on the exterior for optimum comfort.
The best thing about this Alpha Ball is that it isn’t slippery, so it stays on the part where I needed it. The ball moves just a bit without slipping away from the target area. This one seems to be effective in removing aches from hips, hamstrings, and buttocks.
One thing I dislike is the slight rubber smell, which fortunately dissipates over time. This ball also seems to be a little bulky to bring inside my bag.
PROS:
- It has a large size to provide more compression
- It has the right amount of hardness and softness for comfort
- Can offer great relief for large muscle mass
- It stays on the targeted area without slipping away
- It moves a just a little bit as needed
CONS:
- It emits a slight rubber smell
- A bit bulky to carry for travel
Best For:
The Alpha Ball feels lovely on larger mass muscles and most lower body parts, like the hips, hamstrings, and buttocks.
3. Tune Up Fitness Therapy Ball Plus
The Therapy Ball Plus is slightly larger than the original ones measuring about 2.75 inches in diameter, providing more coverage. This pair also works well for the neck and feet, but they provide a firmer pressure than the original therapy balls. They come with a nice tote, which I find useful for spine rolls and other hard-to-reach areas.
I like the density of these balls because they’re not too hard. They just feel right, making them more effective in relieving muscle knots. Also, the blue color looks very beautiful, garnering attention from my friends in the yoga session.
However, the Therapy Ball Plus feels harder than the original ones, making them somewhat more uncomfortable if you’re petite. These balls are also too large to hide inside the bag.
PROS:
- It offers more compression than the original Therapy Balls
- Slightly larger than the original version to provide more coverage
- It comes with a tote for storage and spine roll
- Effective in removing muscle knots
- Available in a beautiful blue color
CONS:
- It feels a bit more uncomfortable for petite people
- A little too bulky to hide in a small bag
Best For:
The Therapy Ball Plus is perfect if you want something harder than the original Therapy Balls. These balls seem to be ideal for removing muscle knots in your spine, neck, and shoulders.
4. Acupoint Physical Massage Therapy Ball Set
This 2-piece Acupoint Therapy Ball Set is approximately 2.5 inches in diameter, similar to the size of a lacrosse ball. I love that the rubber balls have no terrible smell. The balls come with a netted bag, which comes in handy in keeping them from rolling away.
I like that there’s just enough hardness to massage the trigger points and softness not to cause pain. Unlike other balls that are firm, these Acupoint balls have a little give. It’s also worth noting that the light blue color looks very attractive.
However, these balls have no return policy, so you can’t do anything when you get a defective one. They also feel a little weighted, which can be a bit burdensome when holding them for too long.
PROS:
- No terrible toxic smell out from the package
- It includes a netted bag for compact storage
- Firm enough to massage trigger points
- Soft enough not to aggravate pain
- It has a little give and attractive light blue color
CONS:
- No return policy
- It feels a little heavy
Best For:
The Acupoint Physical Massage Therapy Ball Set is ideal for spine massage. The balls have the proper hardness to remove the muscle knots.
5. ActiveProZone Therapy Massage Ball
This set of two therapy massage balls from ActiveProZone boast a 2.75 inches diameter, which is slightly larger than a tennis ball. I love the mesh bag that comes with the balls because it’s versatile and can be used both as storage or muscle knot remover. My favorite is the warranty that offers a full refund.
These balls are outright firm but not bad enough to injure tender parts of your body. I tried using them in my back, and the balls are good enough to smooth the cramped muscles. The balls are very sturdy as they stay in shape even after some heavy beating.
However, the smell of rubber is a bit strong on this one. I also noticed that the balls attract dirt or dust like a magnet.
PROS:
- Slightly larger than standard therapy balls
- It comes with a versatile mesh bag for storage and a roller
- Supports a 100% money-back guarantee
- It doesn’t injure tender tissue and muscles
- It seems sturdy to take a beating
CONS:
- It has a strong rubber smell
- Attracts dust and dirt profusely
Best For:
The ActiveProZone Therapy Massage Ball Set is the best warranty as it offers a 100% money-back guarantee.
FAQs:
Q: How to clean yoga tune up balls?
I recommend cleaning the balls with soap and warm water, then rub with a towel. Never submerge the balls in water because they tend to bounce. Lastly, dry off completely.
Q: What are yoga tune up balls made of?
These balls are usually made of natural rubber to grip your skin more effectively. They’re a little soft on the outside but hard at the core to give a deep tissue massage.
Q: When to replace yoga tune up balls?
When your ball has started to break down and gets very soft, it’s time to replace it. Typically, these balls last for about 6-12 months.
Conclusion
Therapy balls are beneficial in removing those muscle knots and aches from various parts of the body. My pick as the best yoga tune up balls are the original Yoga Tune Up Therapy Balls, which come at a standard size. These balls come with a tote bag that also serves as a roller and storage.
If you want something bigger, the Tune Up Fitness Alpha Ball might be a good alternative. This single ball package works well on larger muscle mass, like the hamstring and hips.
Allen Wei is someone who believes in living his best life, focusing on balance, happiness, and relaxation. He fosters a positive lifestyle in terms of his body, mind, and environment, and he is a huge proponent of learning to be balanced via relaxation techniques integrated into our busy lives.
