You can safely wash the balls with dish-washing detergent or soap as this will get rid of the oil that seeps to the surface. It may take a couple of washes.  Avoid using strong solvents as they may permanently damage your AOK ball – mediBall, Duraball, Max Ball and Classic Ball. It also applies to our medicine balls, massage balls, Cyclone Balls, Pilates Ball and Duradisc.

We use lemon and citronella oils as they are accepted by hospitals for their natural anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. We recommend cleaning the balls regularly with an emulsion of lemon (you can use pine or eucalyptus) oil and water in the ratio 1 part oil to 30 parts water.

This oil blend has not changed for 15 years although in production the last balls in a batch tend to have a slightly higher oil content. This leads to slight variations in the strength of the scent.

In cooler climates where your ball is inflated in an enclosed space with central heating you will accelerate the oil moving to the ball surface and the scent will be quite strong.  This is particularly apparent in the northern hemisphere (North America and Northern Europe) where ambient room temperatures are high and fresh air circulation low.  If the scent bothers you simply give the ball a good wash and allow as much fresh air ventilation as possible over the first few days.

Wikipedia Definitions

Citronella oil is one of the essential oils obtained from the leaves and stems of different species of Cymbopogon. The oil is used extensively as a source of perfumery chemicals and flavouring industries throughout the world.

Citronella oil is also a renowned plant-based insect repellent, and has been registered for this use in the United States since 1948. The United States Environmental Protection Agency‎ considers oil of citronella as a biopesticide with a non-toxic mode of action. Research also shows that citronella oil has strong antifungal properties.

Lemon oil is commonly used to deodorize, remove grease, bleach stain, and disinfect.  Its antibacterial uses because it has a low pH.  Researchers at Ohio State University reveals that lemon oil aroma may enhance your mood, and relax you.

Civic Playhouse hosts this prestigous event. Come and enjoy the charm of Newcastle’s premier small venue for this big event.

Hot on the heels of the largest, and one of the most prestigious, mountain festivals in the world, the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour has hit the road, with stops planned in more than 275 communities and 30 countries across the globe.

Click here to view the embedded video.

This year’s tour features a collection of the most inspiring and thought-provoking active, environmental, and adventure mountain films. Traveling from remote landscapes and
cultures, to up close and personal with adrenaline-packed action sports, the 2010 World Tour is an exhilarating and provocative exploration of the mountain world.

TO BOOK TICKETS OR FOR MORE INFORMATION click here

The Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour is produced by Mountain Culture at The Banff Centre, and features award-winning films and audience favorites from approximately 300 films entered in the annual festival in Banff.

Join Paddy Pallin when the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour brings the spirit of outdoor adventure to Australia. The Festival has been touring since 1986.

Pink mediBall for Breast Cancer Campaign

AOK Health has recently Manufactured and Supplied custom Pink mediBalls for Escape Fitness in the UK in support of BreastCancerCampaign.org

Breast Cancer Campaign’s mission is to beat breast cancer by funding innovative world-class research to understand how breast cancer develops, leading to improved diagnosis, treatment, prevention and cure.

The pink mediBall PRO PLUS is on sale for £29.50 and Campaign will receive £2.95 from each one sold.

mediBall PRO PLUS is the brand preferred by Exercise Professionals. Used exclusively by Fitness First and Virgin Active. Recommended by Paul Chek. This is the Best Ball in the World!

Here are some tips so that you can make the right choice.

Air Freight Door to Door Service

Usually the fastest service and for smaller orders.  This service includes Customs Clearance and Delivery to your Door.  It does not include Customs Duty, Taxes or Fees applicable in country of destination.  You generally do not need to use a freight forwarder for this service. This service is also trackable using the internet.

Air Freight Door to Airport Service

The second fastest service.  This service does not include Customs Clearance, Customs Duty, Taxes or Fees applicable in country of destination.  Goods also require to be picked up from the Airport and delivered. It is advisable for new users to find a local Freight Forwarding Company to assist with Customs Clearance etc.

Sea Freight Door to Wharf

The least speedy service but very cost effective!  This service does not include Customs Clearance, Customs Duty, Taxes or Fees applicable in country of destination. Goods also need to be delivered to your warehouse from the Port of destination.  It is advisable for new users to find a local Freight Forwarding Company to assist with Customs Clearance etc.  There is a minimum of 1 cubic meter or 1,000 kgs.

Container Load or LCL (Palletised or Loose Cartons)

A 20′ seafreight container has a capacity of about 30-32 cubic meters depending on the efficiency of the packing. Any volume less than a full container is known as LCL (loose container load).  It is cheaper, faster and safer to send a full container than LCL so it is often advisable to partially fill a container (say 60-70%) than send it LCL.

Pitfalls of LCL loads include damage due to increased handling and delays (especially if the goods are transhipped) – don’t always opt for the cheapest sea freight as it may be the slowest or include transhipping (e.g. unloading your goods at Singapore and repacking into another container).

Other factors which you should note include:

Plastic Pallets

Sea Freight is usually palletised and plastic pallets are used due to fumigation requirements around the world. This adds to the weight and dimensions for costing purposes, as well as the additional cost of the plastic pallet.

If ordering a container most commonly used are Tilt Tray and Side Loaders for delivery.  The side loaders are used to transport 6m (20ft) and 12m (40ft) containers.  They unload the container to the driver’s side only. A Tilt Tray truck slides the container off the back of its tray directly behind the truck.

There are some issues you need to consider prior to delivery:

Access: Do you have sufficient driveway width.  Are there any vehicles, trees etc obstructing entry?

Height: Is there anything overhead like wires or branches etc.

Space: Do you have enough area for the vehicle to operate in

Surface: Is the area reasonably level and dry when unloading.

If ordering a container decide if you need the container dropped and left or if you wish to unload while the driver waits.   Insurance will need to be quoted separately, unless specified the freight quoted will not include insurance.   Always confer with a customs clearance agent as they can give you the correct tarriff for importing and this can sometimes save a considerable amount of money on duty.

Don’t forget freight quoted is subject to change at time of shipping due to exchange rates.