OK, let’s see a show of hands: whose go-to piece of kit in the gym is the stability ball? We’ll wait…

Chances are, if you’re reading this, stability balls (also known as an exercise balls, yoga balls or fitness balls) are something you’ve dabbled with but never given much time to.

Maybe you’ve used one for core exercises during a full-body workout; maybe you bought one to give your yoga and pilates home workouts a bouncy boost during lockdown; maybe all you’ve seen is women in labour gently bouncing on them during episodes of One Born Every Minute.

Stability ball exercises: 3 workouts to improve your strength and balance