The power of an exercise ball office chair….
It started with a co-worker of mine. One day she brought in an exercise ball chair to try out. The next thing I knew, three other co-workers had adopted the practice.
It turns out these exercise ball chairs are a great way to continue to strengthen your muscles even at a desk job. I have had chronic problems with my lower back and decided to see if the exercise ball ergonomic chair would work for me as well.
I took it slow, I got one but didn’t discard my standard office chair immediately. I used the exercise ball for 30 minutes a day at first and gradually increased the amount of time I sat on it. I did this because frankly, I don’t really exercise as much as I should and knew the chair might tax my muscles.
But others who do exercise more wouldn’t have any problems adjusting. And frankly, I didn’t either.
Within two weeks I gave up my traditional office chair, finding the exercise ball chair more comfortable. I no longer felt the need to lean back or slump. And I found that my posture improved even when I wasn’t sitting on my new back therapy tool. My lower back pain went away — the best therapy I could have tried.
The therapeutic benefits of an exercise chair
The next time I went to my doctor, I told her about my shift to the seating arrangement. She was happy I had made the move and pointed out several benefits.
* Improves the alignment of your spine and strengthens back muscles
* Improves balance
* Helps develop those abdominal muscles (improving your looks and your fitness at the same time).
* Even helps burn calories.
Before long, I had expanded my use of the exercise ball chair to beyond the office. I have one in my office at home and one at the kitchen table. I feel more energetic and have my co-worker to thank for it all. If she hadn’t tried out that chair in the first place, I don’t think I would have done it. After all, exercise chairs that are round and come with no backs aren’t exactly commonplace in the workplace — yet.
Tags: benefits of exercise balls as desk chairs, sitting on an exercise ball at work