Tip: Throw out the office chair and get one of these!

2»

Replies

  • waylandcool
    waylandcool Posts: 175 Member
    Same thing here. Yoga balls are not allowed at our office because tend to do dumb things on them and then wind up on workers comp.
  • jenbk2
    jenbk2 Posts: 614 Member
    A girl where i work had one a few years ago. Her's hit a corner of the drawer and she popped it. She fell flat on her *kitten*. It was hilarious !
  • jcpmoore
    jcpmoore Posts: 796 Member
    To any of you who have had your company say no:

    If you are in the US, talk to your doctor. Get a note from your doctor that states that you NEED this setup. Your company cannot legally deny it then. If your doctor prescribes it, the company MUST comply.
  • AwesomelyAmber
    AwesomelyAmber Posts: 1,617 Member
    I couldn't use it at work... the desk and computer are too high up. BUT you have me thinking about using it just to sit on at home for sure! Especially during 'tv time'... thanks for the idea!
  • tkb3abby
    tkb3abby Posts: 14 Member
    What an AWESOME idea for kids when they are spending time in front of the TV!
  • TeachTheGirl
    TeachTheGirl Posts: 2,091 Member
    My office chair is in my living room. Where kids like to play. And where a ball would not last 5 minutes.

    Sigh.
  • tamihend
    tamihend Posts: 8 Member
    My son has a lot of back/hip problems and he gave up the chair a few months ago and now stands. His back is so much better. I spend a lot of time on my computer at home and I've been standing at my desk for the last two weeks. I'm not just standing there - I'm - either rocking back and forth, doing calf raises or hip circles or some other lower body movement. My husband laughed at me at first but last night he asked if he could have my chair (it's a good one) since I'm not using it any more. I'd like to get a second monitor and then I could use the balance ball when I feel like sitting.
  • Zylahe
    Zylahe Posts: 772 Member
    for those that can't have a fit ball,
    what about a Hawaii chair??


    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9_amg-Aos4





    :bigsmile: :bigsmile:
  • hughtwalker
    hughtwalker Posts: 2,213 Member
    I wonder if I could use one in my surgery(?).

    Regarding the Human Resources fellahs who say "Insurance won't allow it", have they actually asked the insurance companies?

    In UK we have Health & Safety issues that are dreamed up by 'jobsworths' who have have never referred to HSE.
    When asked HSE may well respond, "How else are you going to do it"

    Can you ask to see in writing where the insurance company say it is not allowed. - without incurring disciplinary proceedings for impertinence?

    Luckily, I am my own boss so if I can figure it out I might give myself permission.
  • Pdschurig
    Pdschurig Posts: 56 Member
    I work for the VA in Wichita, Kansas and my manager and 2 of the nurse practitioners use them. I already have an ergonomic chair for doing ultrasound which does the same thing for me, keeps me from slouching and supports my arms during patient testing.
  • SherryR1971
    SherryR1971 Posts: 1,170 Member
    I've tried...my boss won't approve it! :(
  • deannarey13
    deannarey13 Posts: 452
    I actually wanted to do this, but was told that I could not. Apparently, it was a liability.
  • caseythirteen
    caseythirteen Posts: 956 Member
    I work from home and have been thinking about getting one of these. For those that have been using them, what are the benefits you've seen?

    ETA: and what size do you use?
  • BeingAwesome247
    BeingAwesome247 Posts: 1,171 Member
    My daughter's school has started implementing these in the classroom....actually helps the kids focus according to a study done by the Mayo clinic
  • Car0lynnM
    Car0lynnM Posts: 332 Member
    I have one under my desk. I find it difficult to use when I'm wearing a skirt and heels. On pants days, it's pretty comfortable.
  • mandersatx
    mandersatx Posts: 86
    I work from home and have been thinking about getting one of these. For those that have been using them, what are the benefits you've seen?

    ETA: and what size do you use?

    Size depends on height and weight. I got mine at a local sporting goods store, and I just followed the suggestion on the back of the box. I enjoy mine watching TV and working on the computer at home. My back hurts less, and it's great for the ADHD because I'm concentrating on 2 things at once - balancing & whatever else I am doing.

    As far as the school thing, a teacher in Austin got them donated from a fitness company for her elementary classroom after getting permission from her principal (using the Mayo study, I assume). She has strict rules about no bouncing, no playing, ect. If you break the rules, you sit in a regular chair or on the floor for the rest of the day. As I understand it, she has had no problems with that after the first week. I think it's a great idea for a variety of reasons, the least of which is helping hyperactive students (like I was!) concentrate.
  • butterflyfairy2
    butterflyfairy2 Posts: 96 Member
    I find it interesting that so many offices ban these. I used to work for a large natural foods market (in the corporate office). Probably 25% of the people had balls for chairs: they even had a pump that everyone could use. I never heard of an injury caused by the ball. Although one guy rolled onto something sharp (paper clip? push pin) and the ball deflated in an instant!

    This made me giggle a bit. I worked as a Habilitation Specialtist for Special needs children and we were using one of these balls and I was sitting on it at the time and lost my balance and rolled off backwards and slammed my head into the wall. I ended up with a concussion.
    I can see why some places view it as a liability. I have one that I use at home and still to this day I get freaked out on it and I won't use it when I am home alone just in case. :wink:
  • Wonderwoman2677
    Wonderwoman2677 Posts: 428 Member
    A lady in my officce has a ball, but doesn't use it all the time. I've started standing at my desk more. A nice work station was even offerered, but I don't want to ask them to buy one until I decide if I can stand all day. I'm using a paper box at the moment, as it's the perfect height for me :) My back, legs and hips feel better when I stand but my feet are killing me at the end of the day. I'm also more productive when I don't have to get up to file/ research... shhhhh don't tell my boss :)
  • Wonderwoman2677
    Wonderwoman2677 Posts: 428 Member
    Size depends on height and weight. I got mine at a local sporting goods store, and I just followed the suggestion on the back of the box. I enjoy mine watching TV and working on the computer at home. My back hurts less, and it's great for the ADHD because I'm concentrating on 2 things at once - balancing & whatever else I am doing.

    As far as the school thing, a teacher in Austin got them donated from a fitness company for her elementary classroom after getting permission from her principal (using the Mayo study, I assume). She has strict rules about no bouncing, no playing, ect. If you break the rules, you sit in a regular chair or on the floor for the rest of the day. As I understand it, she has had no problems with that after the first week. I think it's a great idea for a variety of reasons, the least of which is helping hyperactive students (like I was!) concentrate.
    [/quote]

    This sounds like a great idea for schools! My daughter is always complaining that her back hurts and I don't doubt it!
  • neverstray
    neverstray Posts: 3,845 Member
    I find it interesting that so many offices ban these. I used to work for a large natural foods market (in the corporate office). Probably 25% of the people had balls for chairs: they even had a pump that everyone could use. I never heard of an injury caused by the ball. Although one guy rolled onto something sharp (paper clip? push pin) and the ball deflated in an instant!

    It's because some stupid a-hole will roll backwards on purpose and hurt themselves and sue the crap out of the company and never have to work again. that's why. It's really not the companies fault. Smaller companies don't think of those thigns and don't have the experience.

    You can ALWAYS tell how a company has been burned by looking at it's contracts and it's policies.
  • hughtwalker
    hughtwalker Posts: 2,213 Member
    Okay! I'll tell myself I can't then
  • Yukongil
    Yukongil Posts: 166 Member
    I've been thinking of getting one of these and I think this thread convinced me to. Luckily I make the rules for the office, so unless I suddenly manifest a disagreeable split personality, I don't see this being a problem!
  • gavini
    gavini Posts: 248 Member
    i started doing this at my desk after i read this thread yesterday, was starting to get tired when i went home but not too bad, now today, after 3 hours sitting on the ball at my desk my back is definitely tired and I am looking for excuses to get up which is a good thing since studies show a great benefit to getting up every 30 min or so.
  • ceajules
    ceajules Posts: 123
    I am soooo going to do this thanks!!
  • gingerjen7
    gingerjen7 Posts: 821 Member
    I'm a computer person, which means I spend a LOT of time sitting in front of a desk. That also meant a whole lot of not-active moving around time. Thankfully someone gave me this great idea, which I thought i'd share.

    One of the best things I did was throw out my office chair and get a yoga ball instead. Not only can I not sit on it for hours at a time like a chair, I'm constantly bouncing around and also needing to sit up straight, and balance myself on the thing. Great core work!

    The first week was a bit tiresome (to that point, I sleep a LOT better now), but after that it's freaking great. If you're an office monkey like me, give it a try. You can get a $20 big red yoga ball at a place like Sports Authority. Start a trend in your office!
    I did this; the only problem: it's not quite tall enough. Sometimes things on my screens are at the wrong angle, so I can't see them the way I'm meant to. And everyone who walks past my office has to stop and laugh at me because I look so short now.
  • sed1217
    sed1217 Posts: 228 Member
    I'm going to get one of these tonight. I have a bad back and my posture is deplorable - hopefully this will help me to strengthen my core

Categories