10 Reasons for an Exercise Ball

Options
10 Reasons To Use an Exercise Ball instead of a Chair

1. Forces proper spine alignment. Because an exercise ball is not stable, your body needs to try to balance itself on it. The perfect spinal posture is coincidently the easiest to balance with. Thus, your body will automatically try to align itself into the proper posture. This helps improve your spinal health, and decrease back pains.

2. Causes you to frequently change positions. An exercise ball causes to you to change your position often to balance. For example, if you turn 45 degrees to face the phone, your body will assume a new position. This helps reduce damage caused by prolonged sitting in the same position.


3. Fitness is at your fingertips. Another great thing about using this alternative to a chair, is that you can do stretches or mini-workouts whenever you want, without getting up. If you’ve ever stuck waiting for a minute or two, you can make productive use of that time with a quick workout or stretch. Because it’s much more convenient, you will probably do it more, thus resulting in better health.

4. Improve your balance. This one is very understandable. Sitting on an unstable surface all day will improve your sense of balance, as well as the reactions of your muscles. The result? An overall better balance, that can be observed out of the office.

5. Get that 6-pack you’ve been wanting. Your body primarily uses your core (abdominal) muscles to help compensate for changes in balance. Thus, your essentially getting a low-key abdominal workout. This may not sound like a lot, but consider the amount of time you spend on your computer at the office, or at home. Those hours can build up, and result in a strengthening of ab muscles.


6. Improves your circulation. Using an exercise ball will keep the blood flowing to all parts of your body, throughout the day. A desk chair on the other hand, reduces circulation to some parts of the body after prolonged use.

7. You’ll feel more energetic. It has been proven that staying in one position, will make you more tired, while moving around and being active with give you more energy. With an exercise ball as a chair, you will feel much more energized after you finish your work.

8. Burn up to 350 calories per day. More movement during the day = more calories burnt. Burning 350 calories per day = losing one pound of fat every 10 days. You may not burn quite 350, but nonetheless, it will help you stay fit.

9. Really cheap. Specialized exercise balls designed for sitting usage can range from $15 to $80. Much cheaper than buying an ergonomic chair, which can range anywhere from $100 to $400 and up.

10. C’mon, its fun! Who doesn’t like the idea of bouncing around on an exercise ball all day. Exercise balls are an exciting alternative to chairs, and may just give that spark of fun to your day


Souce: http://www.gearfire.net/10-reasons-to-use-an-exercise-ball-as-your-chair/

Replies

  • 4tolose
    4tolose Posts: 65 Member
    Options
    These sound great......they'd help my bad back I'd imagine?
  • TNAJackson
    TNAJackson Posts: 686 Member
    Options
    I think I'm going to try this! Extra calorie burnage and I already LOVE those exercise balls! They are so much fun! Plus, I'm tired of my legs going numb during the day as a result of the chair. My doctor has been on me to strengthen my core so that my back will stop hurting also, so it's a win win!
  • infamousmk
    infamousmk Posts: 6,033 Member
    Options
    I should totally bring my fitness ball in from home. It just sits in the corner of my spare room looking lonely.
  • mooselady2004
    mooselady2004 Posts: 30 Member
    Options
    Interesting thoughts. I may have to give that a try!
  • GrandmaJody
    GrandmaJody Posts: 140 Member
    Options
    Thanks for the info, I have been thinking of getting another one, the one I have is way to small for me, I am tall...
  • YukonJoy
    YukonJoy Posts: 1,279 Member
    Options
    These sound great......they'd help my bad back I'd imagine?

    I don't know what kind of injury you have but yes it would definitely strengthen your back. If you are sitting in a regular chair right now you are probably slouching most of them time which makes most back injuries worse. Our spines were designed to be straight most of the time, not twisted in a chair for 8 hours a day.
  • saintspoon
    saintspoon Posts: 242 Member
    Options
    hmmmmm....

    I have one of those in the basement! I'm gonna have to pull it out & try it at work :) My boss is a fitness freak so she's all for it!

    Thanks for the idea again!
  • iron_goddess
    Options
    I actually started using a ball instead of my regular office chair about 2 weeks ago. I am 5'5 and the med or 65cm ball is perfect. Not quite up to sitting on it for the full day but an hour here and there through out the day is great. Yes, it works....and a lot of fun.