Replacing the Office Chair with an Exercise Ball
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Re: Replacing the Office Chair with an Exercise Ball
#2Our office, too, went through the Ball phase a couple of years ago. 80% of the office had one. In the end though not a single person stuck with it and the office was ball-free in less than a year.
Personally I found that I slouched MORE when using the ball because I could no longer lean back against a backrest. So when I got tired towards the end of the day I'd lean on the table instead. Result: Upper back pain. The other thing that annoyed me was being unable to shift my legs around at all - they BOTH have to be flat on the floor in front of you. No crossing one leg or changing the angle of you knee joints or anything like that.
Re: Replacing the Office Chair with an Exercise Ball
#3Jim: "And how much is that?"
Dwight: "It's only 25 bucks"
Jim: "ooookay."
http://www.tbs.com/video/index/#/all-video/shows/the-office/...
Re: Replacing the Office Chair with an Exercise Ball
#4I was at a startup from Jan-July '06 and we had several kicking around. I switched to the ball there at the startup and learned to love it. Shortly after, I replaced my home computer chair with a ball as well.
Like anything, they can be misused, and it's a matter of personal preference. I also have a laptop that doesn't fit very well on my computer desk, so when I'm on it, I'm usually lounging in a recliner or on the sofa at home.
The thing I love most about the ball is that I can get up, roll it back a bit, sit back down on it, then do a full-body arched-back stretch, then roll back up onto the ball, scoot it up to the desk, and keep working. I find myself doing that at least once an hour, and it always brings a boost. At my office (no balls allowed... heh) I end up having to run up and down a flight of stairs or do something else to get that boost. It takes a lot less time with an exercise ball, and I can keep focused.
Re: Replacing the Office Chair with an Exercise Ball
#5An exercise ball is tough because it demands dynamic balance. You really work out your abs. You can't slouch because you'll fall off. I tried it for a couple months and gave it up. If you are seriously considering using an exercise ball, get a puncture-resistant one from a company like Fitter First (that guarantees against explosive decompression).
Re: Replacing the Office Chair with an Exercise Ball
#6Our office, too, went through the Ball phase a couple of years ago. 80% of the office had one. In the end though not a single person stuck with it and the office was ball-free in less than a year. Personally I found that I slouched MORE when using the ball because I could no longer lean back against a backrest. So when I got tired towards the end of the day I'd lean on the table instead. Result: Upper back pain. The…
I tried this at home and had similar results. For the first week I thought, "hey, this is great!" Then one day I was particularly tired and could barely stay on the thing. My upper back actually started spasming from the strain. I kept the ball but don't use it as a chair any more, though it's still fun to roll around on sometimes.
Re: Replacing the Office Chair with an Exercise Ball
#7I tried sitting on a ball at home some time ago, but after a couple of hours on it, my back is on fire. It did not go away after about a week of trying, so I gave up.
Re: Replacing the Office Chair with an Exercise Ball
#8I tried a ball but found the lack of air circulation made the backs of my legs sweat uncomfortably. Went back to my Steeelcase Leap. It's not mesh like the Aeron, but the cushion was a lot better than sitting directly on rubber all day.
Re: Replacing the Office Chair with an Exercise Ball
#9I've found that the biggest problem with using an exercise ball is that everyone asks you why you are sitting on an exercise ball. That and it is fun to kick.
Re: Replacing the Office Chair with an Exercise Ball
#10I can highly recommend a standing-desk arrangement, at least when compared to a very cheap office chair.
You need two things to keep with it for more than a few days: a good anti-fatigue surface to stand on, and a taller-than-average chair so that you can alternate sitting and standing.