Using exercise ball as an office chair

trapitt

I keep some basic exercise equipment (yoga mat, dumb bells and an exercise ball) in my office so I can so do mini workouts during the day (during breaks, lunch). Does anyone know the benefits or risks of sitting on my exercise ball instead of my ergonomic chair when I am using my computer or reading at my desk. I seem to have better posture on the ball, but I am concerned about the ergonomics of working that way.

brandi712

two people here swear by it. it really does help strengthen your core

Myhaloslipped

navyrigger46

Ball type chairs have started being used for Autism therapy, the studies I have seen indicate that if poor posture is an issue the chair exacerbates the problem and worsens concentration. If posture it not an issue they can be beneficial. So, I doubt there would be a problem so long as you maintain good posture. I think I would be inclined to slump a bit more, especially at the end of the day when I was more fatigued, but that's me. Try it out and see how you feel after a week or so, it could go either way.

Rigger

raylo1313

I love sitting on my ball at work. The ergonomics are no different than sitting in a regular chair. If you should feel something starting to ache, change it - such as when I get achey from sitting in my chair, I switch to the ball and vice versa. Enjoy!

TeaBea

I keep some basic exercise equipment (yoga mat, dumb bells and an exercise ball) in my office so I can so do mini workouts during the day (during breaks, lunch). Does anyone know the benefits or risks of sitting on my exercise ball instead of my ergonomic chair when I am using my computer or reading at my desk. I seem to have better posture on the ball, but I am concerned about the ergonomics of working that way.

Can you go for a "walk" during your lunch break?

There's a really nice hill by my workplace, so when we don't have 3+ feet of snow, I go for an outdoor walk. Indoor "walking" is great for winter months (I close my door) .............

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=jessica+smith+walking&sm=1

They also have DVDs.

Resistance bands are great for the office............http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEVwZaIRnrs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wm4-r_ON_3A

trapitt

That is exactly how I think I look! :-)

trapitt

There is a small lake with a hilly hiking trail near my office - I usually walk that 2 - 3 times a week when it is clear of snow. I try to walk at least 30 minutes a day - even in our minus 27 degree (c) wind chill.

trapitt

I keep some basic exercise equipment (yoga mat, dumb bells and an exercise ball) in my office so I can so do mini workouts during the day (during breaks, lunch). Does anyone know the benefits or risks of sitting on my exercise ball instead of my ergonomic chair when I am using my computer or reading at my desk. I seem to have better posture on the ball, but I am concerned about the ergonomics of working that way.

Can you go for a "walk" during your lunch break?

There's a really nice hill by my workplace, so when we don't have 3+ feet of snow, I go for an outdoor walk. Indoor "walking" is great for winter months (I close my door) .............

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=jessica+smith+walking&sm=1

They also have DVDs.

Resistance bands are great for the office............http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEVwZaIRnrs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wm4-r_ON_3A

Thanks for the tips!

SharonNehring

I used my ball for a chair for a couple of years. I didn't use it all day but switched back and forth with my standard chair. I'd do sit ups and such which was great. My biggest problem was not having arm rests. I have a lot of trouble with my neck/ shoulders and it definitely took time to get used to.

Raggedy_Ann

You will all surely find this silly but I occasionally stay up late at night and play PlayStation games, it's my 'me' time I guess. I sit on a fitness ball while I play, it makes me feel less lazy and I swear I play better!

Perplexities

Jesus Christ.
Picture someone you highly respect siting on a ****ing exercise ball.

SharonNehring

Well brah, it depends upon the environment. At the time I used mine, our entire office was using them so it wasn't like a person stood out by using one. And I'm in a healthcare environment where everyone is comfortable with bringing fitness into the office, so not using one actually set a person out from the crowd.

Just because you wouldn't do it in whatever your situation is, does not mean it isn't suitable in another locale.

rockmama72

I had one and loved it; I even had a little frame for it. It took me a while to train myself to sit with good posture (it's very easy to slouch). I do think it improved my posture and core strength.

True story: One day I was sitting on it and it popped.

rockmama72

Jesus Christ.
Picture someone you highly respect siting on a ****ing exercise ball.

I would respect them more for being health-conscious and for not caring that they look a little silly to others.

leggup

My 110 lb (tops, ever) coworker who teaches Zumba 4X a week had one built into a base. She used it forrrrr 2 months? Then it moved under her desk. My other tiny coworker used one, no base, for about 3 months. Now it sits in a corner.

debrakgoogins

A good compromise is a stability disc. You can place that on the seat of your chair. This allows you to still have a back and armrests when you need them but requires you to use your core to sit. And,,,for jerks who only post pictures of a cut body with no face and have loud opinions that have nothing to do with motivation, they don't know the difference when they walk by your office.

VeganMagpie

When I was in recovery from back injury I used an exercise ball as a chair.

It did take a little getting used to and ached a bit at first but then it didn't ache as much as sitting wrong on a chair all day!