[brandiev]

I love SparkPeople and get many of these emails and read them daily. Today one mentioned sitting on a exercise ball while working...anyone ever done this? I was thinking about trying it.

They say:
After years of trying to find comfortable, ergonomic desk chairs, many workers are opting to ditch the chairs altogether to sit on an exercise ball during their workdays.

Sitting on a stability ball challenges your balance and engages your core muscles (abs, lower back, hips, and obliques) more than a stable surface like a regular chair. Plus, sitting "actively" can improve posture. It also causes sitters to change their position more frequently, which many experts believe to be better than sitting in one place for extended periods of time.

Sitting on a stability ball for prolonged periods can tire out both large and small muscle groups that are working hard to keep your body upright. Try to use a stability ball for 30 minutes at a time, and switch between the ball and your chair at your own comfort level.

[ericahite]

I've been doing this for months! But for different reasons. 1. while I was pregnant, to get the baby in a good position and to get some exercise. 2. ever since I had my son I bounced on the ball while he was colicky and now when I want to check my e-mail while wearing him. Sometimes I can get him to fall asleep for a nap this way.

Erica

[NS_Scrapper]

I was doing this quite often until the stability ball sprung a slow leak. I've just replaced it - mainly so I can sit at the desk. I also sit on the stability ball sometimes when I'm doing my quilting at a quilt frame. I find that my posture is better and it makes me remember to tighten the old abs and glutes every now and then during the day. And even encourages me to do some ab work now and then, which can't be bad. I do find that it is good to switch off and not use it all day but I like it. I have to get that thing blown up! Go for it, Brandie!

[satippetts]

What a great idea here! I think I'm going to have to try it out!

[needadietcoke]

My husband will think I'm nuts, but this sounds like a great idea- if I can find one big enough! The one we have leaves me too short!

[angelaNussbaum]

oh wow! i would never have thought... i'll have to get one. My old one dh wanted to fill up with more air, got technical with some screwdriver attachment... then lost the plug! lol.

Thanks Brandie

Angela

[Laurel Lakey]

I've thought about doing this before, but never got around to it. It sounds like a great idea. Thanks for sharing!

[trishy]

I use one and love it! It works really well for working your core, as mentioned, and I like to stretch my back out by curling over it backward and touching my hands to the floor. That is the best stretch! Now keep in mind I do Pilates a couple times a week and I couldn't do that move before the Pilates classes without falling off and hurting myself! LOL

Anyway, I say go for it, it works great.

[Durin]

I've done this before and love the way it feels. I went back to using a chair, though, because the ball kept rolling around my work area when I wasn't sitting on it. I need to start using it again.

[SkRiders]

I've been trying to convince my boss to get me a new office chair ... i wonder what she'd say if i asked for a ball instead....
I'm sure this is a great way to get good posture and be comfortable but when I think of everyone in my office sitting on balls sorry i can't help but laugh lol
I'm sure this is more practical for the home though

[Ngaire]

Now this sure does sounds rather interesting.
Ok you girls who have been doing this for a while, how about a LO so we can all see you sitting at your desk on your exercise ball!
I'd struggle using the wacom tablet sitting on that but it sure would be good for the posture etc.

[MelJohnson]

A friend of mine mentioned the other day that her son's neurologist has recommended that he use one of these while playing video games. He's a kid with lots of issues but his learning style is "haptic." Kids with that style seem to need to be constantly in motion. My middle son is like that--I've never seen him eat a meal without standing in his chair, getting up to dash off somewhere and dash back, etc.--and I was thinking one might be good for him, too. I especially love the idea of kids using them for video games because it's a way to sneak in at least a little bit of exercise!

I used one when I was at Microsoft because of a back injury and loved it. Like Erica, I also used mine a lot during my pregnancy. I'm planning to use mine more once we can get our exercise room set up. It actually causes more problems than help at my house when it's out because all 3 boys end up rolling around on it and bumping into things and each other!

[Sherry Lynn]

Wow - I just found this thread and I'm definitely going to try this out!

[AmandaFace]

im a klutz and id end up on the floor for sure!!

[J9Buckles]

SkRiders, on Jul 18 2008, 11:56 PM, said:

I've been trying to convince my boss to get me a new office chair ... i wonder what she'd say if i asked for a ball instead....
I'm sure this is a great way to get good posture and be comfortable but when I think of everyone in my office sitting on balls sorry i can't help but laugh lol
I'm sure this is more practical for the home though

ROFL! I would pay money to see my boss sitting at his desk on one of those!

I have a friend who started using one in place of a chair after a car accident left her with chronic neck & back pain. She swears by it!

[Glorie]

AmandaFace, on Jul 20 2008, 10:04 AM, said:

im a klutz and id end up on the floor for sure!!

ROTFL!! Good one for this Sunday morn. My first chuckle! Take pictures and make a LO!! How funny!

I have two of these balls and I'm thinking I would like some firmer abs! My fear is that they will sit to low...I guess I'll just have to pump 'em up more! Glad you brought this up Brandie!!

[trishy]

Where I used to work about 1/4 of the people used exercise balls for their chair, that is where I got the idea for this.

I try to do a few crunches every time I am saving a file while I am working. This way I get in a few tummy exercises each day without feeling like I had to stop doing something I ACTUALLY enjoy.

[cerisewmn]

I saw an article on one of the News shows (20/20, 60 minutes, dateline, not sure which one) talked about a classroom where the students used the balls as chairs. They had only a few balls in the room and the kids rotated, each waiting anxiously for their turn. Found that it promoted good posture, they had to follow class rules to be eligible to use the ball, increased attention by getting the wiggles out.

[SodScrap]

Wow-this sounds great!! My back is FINALLY feeling better, but I think this might also help!! Great idea, thanks for sharing!

[kerryveale]

I just went to a new, fantastic chiropractor today, and she recommended this type of an air balance disc that goes onto your work chair. I did not buy one yet--has anyone heard of this/tried it?

[sschofi404]

I think if I tried this I would constantly be falling off of it. lol

Jennifer

[DDecker]

My sister used one at work during her pregnancy. I just got a new desk chair but may try to do this every few days.

[PBarnes]

I do have a ball on hand but it needs to be brought up to proper inflation. I think I'm going to give this a try. I can certainly see where it could provide some benefit. That cushion-thingy that Trishy showed looks interesting too.

[no_idea]

At the school I work at, in the learning assistance room, we have exercise balls instead of chairs at the kids' desks. They help the super fidgety kids settle down, and others find the mild motion soothing. Not to mention how quiet the room is without the constant noise of kids dragging chairs about. I used one at my desk and one when I'm sitting by a student at their desk, until I noticed something, the ball is soooo comfy I was slouched over horribly looking totally lazy. The kids didn't slouch, just me! Weird. I'm back at a chair. Sometimes I do go slouch on a ball.

We also use the disc that is pictured in Kerry's post too. It's for students with sensitivity issues, if they don't have a ball they use the disc for cushioning on a chair.

Most people love the ball and have great things to say, except me, the sloucher.

[Silly]

Karen you're a riot!!!! When I saw this post I thought, wow I haven't done that for awhile and should start again - when I pulled out the ball and saw all the dust on it I realized it's been longer than I thought - LOL...sitting on it now.

[ericahite]

Kerry, what is that thing called or do you have a link you could send me?

Erica

[mimes1]

kerryveale, on Jul 23 2008, 10:06 PM, said:

I just went to a new, fantastic chiropractor today, and she recommended this type of an air balance disc that goes onto your work chair. I did not buy one yet--has anyone heard of this/tried it?

Looks like some sort of high tech whoopie cushion! My kids would love me to have that!!! LOL
I'm in for the ball though. I have arthritis in L4 and L5 and long bouts at the computer definitely give me trouble.

[patsyt]

ericahite, on Aug 6 2008, 07:32 PM, said:

Kerry, what is that thing called or do you have a link you could send me?

Erica

I'd also like a name or link if you have it, Kerry.

I'd like to try the ball but I'm not sure what size to get. Should I go for the one that's for my height which is 5'3" or should I go with a larger one so it will sit higher?

[debubbie]

I've read in a magazine that it is not good to sit on the ball all day that it can actually cause back problems. Like Karen stated you can start to slouch and since it doesn't offer any back support it can cause more pressure in your lower back as you have to work harder to sit up straighter. Like Trish, I enjoy using the ball for that deep stretch you can get when leaning backwards over the ball. I enjoy sitting on the ball for about twenty minutes at a time but after that my back starts to bother me. I couldn't imagine sitting on it all day, but I think for people that has better balance and weigh less than my 265 lbs it is probably easier to sit on it longer. I think it is one of those things that you will have to see how well you like it and if you decide not to use it as your chair of choice you can still use it for some great exercises that help to strengthen both your back and ab muscles!

[April Showers]

kerryveale, on Jul 23 2008, 10:06 PM, said:

I just went to a new, fantastic chiropractor today, and she recommended this type of an air balance disc that goes onto your work chair. I did not buy one yet--has anyone heard of this/tried it?

Gosh, there is one exactly like that upstairs... Physical therapist had Bob get it when he was strengthening his knee. Try balancing on it on one foot. So, you just put it in your chair, and sit on it? I'll go grab it-- I'm willing to give it a try.

And the name printed on ours is Harbinger.