The Exercise Ball Authority

Gaiam Exercise Ball Chair

There are a few variables to consider when choosing to an exercise ball chair.  First, you should decide if you will simply use and exercise ball to sit on, or if you want a full blown exercise ball chair.  While both choices are effective, a full blown exercise ball chair would probably be considered the more professional of the two choices.  Not only that, but the chairs offer a variety of options including backed or backless, rolling or static feet, and range from moderately fashionable, with the ability to be integrated into a nicely designed office, to ugly looking.

If you choose to simply replace your office chair with an exercise ball, you really only have to decide on the color and size that’s right for you. If you are between 4′11″ and 5′4″ a 55 cm ball will work best for you, those between 5′5″ and 5′11″ should use the 65 cm ball and if you’re between 6′0″ and 6′7″ use a ball 75 cm ball.

If you are overweight or experience back pain, it is still safe and probably even beneficial to sit on an exercise ball.  Just make sure you are in the proper seated position while using the ball.  Upper legs should be parallel to the ground or hips can be slightly higher than the knees while in the seated position.  Be sure the exercise ball chair or exercise ball is close enough to your workspace so you can maintain the appropriate upright, neutral posture in the upper back – slumping your shoulders is not an option!  Finally, it doesn’t hurt to make sure that the ball is burst-resistant that if the integrity of your ball is compromised, you can feel secure knowing it’s not going to explode and cause a potential injury.  Some companies make burst-resistant balls that will hold up to 600 pounds.

Technorati Tags: exercise ball chair