The stability ball is a piece of exercise equipment used for strength training, improving balance and stability. Replacing the office chair for the stability ball is increasingly popular because of the potential for improved health, posture and strength, but you should be aware of both the benefits and drawbacks before deciding to use a stability ball. Always consult a doctor before starting this or any other exercise regimen. The stability ball, also known as the Swiss ball, yoga ball or exercise ball, is an inflated ball constructed of soft PVC material. Stability balls come in different colors and sizes, and for best results, you should choose a ball that fits your height range. If you are between 4-foot-11 and 5-foot-4, select a ball that is 55 cm in diameter. If you are between 5-foot-5 and 5-foot-11, use a ball that is 65 cm in diameter. If you are over 6 feet, choose a ball that is 75 cm. Spineuniverse explains that sitting on a stability ball can improve stability and balance because doing so is said to constantly engage the core abdominal muscles.

Stronger ab muscles protect the lower back and promote better posture, and can be the result of using the stability ball. A study in the "Journal of Canadian Chiropractic Association" by chiropractors Larry G. Merritt and Celynne M. Merritt showed that two people who reportedly suffered from lower back pain improved when they began consistently sitting on a stability ball. Of course, results vary by individual, and not everyone experiences these results. According to the United States Army Public Health Command, sitting on an exercise ball can have a few drawbacks. For example, because exercise balls lack arm rests and back supports, the upper body might not be properly and fully supported. The UCLA Comprehensive Spine Center argues that the use of an armrest takes some strain off your neck and shoulders and makes you less likely to slouch. The Health Command also explains that sitting in a chair in a reclined position significantly eliminates disc pressure in the back, but this position cannot be maintained while sitting on an exercise ball.

If you use the stability ball in place of an office chair, you might feel that the ball is not tall enough for you to reach your desktop. You also might have concerns that the stability ball will roll away when you stand, so you might need to find a way to anchor it. Prolonged improper sitting posture and office equipment that promotes bad posture can damage spinal structure and cause recurring back and neck pain. metal folding chairs mumbaiThe UCLA Comprehensive Spine Center explains that when sitting and resting your arms on a desk, your upper arms should be parallel to your spine. kijiji montreal chair for saleWhen you look at your computer, your gaze should be aimed at the middle of your screen. massage chair rental victoria bc

Your thighs should be parallel to the floor with your feet planted firmly on the ground. Keep in mind that you might just as easily slouch on a stability ball as you would in a chair, so practice good posture regardless of the seat. If you are new to using a stability ball, you might need to start out using the ball in small increments, as your body and muscles might not be accustomed to sitting in this manner for long periods and get fatigued. folding chair rental marylandAs your muscles build strength and endurance and become familiar with the seating position, it will become easier and you will be able to use the ball for longer periods. camping chairs for sale glasgowYour employer or work environment might not permit you to use a stability ball in the workplace, so receive approval before bringing your ball to work.table and chair rental duluth ga

Gain 2 pounds per week Gain 1.5 pounds per week Gain 1 pound per week Gain 0.5 pound per week Maintain my current weight Lose 0.5 pound per week Lose 1 pound per week Lose 1.5 pounds per week Lose 2 pounds per week How to Use a Stability Ball As a Chair Exercise Ball Vs. Desk Chairchair cover hire central coast nsw How to Sit on an Exercise Ball at a Deskpanasonic massage chair sale Does an Exercise Ball Chair Actually Give You Any Health Benefits?used wheelchairs for sale melbourne Exercise Ball Chair Exercises The Best Exercise Ball Brand How to Sit on a Workout Ball at Work The Benefits of Using a Stability Ball as a Chair

5 Things You Need to Know About Using an Exercise Ball as an Office Chair Calories Burned Sitting on an Exercise BallBaby Goat Doing Yoga Instructions for a 65 cm Exercise Ball What to Look for When Purchasing a Stability Ball Ball Exercises While Sitting Does Bouncing on an Exercise Ball Help Strengthen Your Core? What Are the Benefits of Stability Balls in Schools? The Differences Between a Stability Ball & Yoga Ball Weight Training With a Stability Ball Drawbacks of the Bosu Ball Pregnancy Workouts With a BallYou may have seen news stories where people trade their office chair for an exercise ball and wondered whether you could benefit from a similar trade. Reasons for the trade include better posture, less back pain and exercise on the job. Some people who opted for exercise balls found that there were significant drawbacks to sitting on an exercise ball all day. Fatigue The lack of stability, arm and back support can cause fatigue if you sit on the ball for extended periods, according to Dr. Henry Goitz, chief of sports medicine at the Medical College of Ohio.

He believes that long hours of ball sitting can lead to injuries when you get too tired to maintain your balance or focus on your balance and posture. Fatigue can lead to poor posture, the antithesis of why many sit on the ball. A study published in the December 2009 edition of “Scoliosis” found that individuals sitting on an exercise ball demonstrated similar slumping and poor posture habits to those sitting in chairs. Discomfort Sitting on the ball for hours can become painful. The balls are not ergonomically developed for extended sitting, which leads to discomfort. A study published in the May 2009 edition of “Applied Ergonomics” noted that women who typed sitting on a ball for more than one hour demonstrated spinal shrinkage and a reduction in arm flexion, leading the authors to conclude that the ball disadvantages outweigh any benefits. A May 2006 study reported in “Clinical Biomechanics” reported that extended ball sitting led to soft tissue compression and subsequent discomfort.

A third study published in “Human Factors” also concluded that the balls caused discomfort with little or no redeeming advantage. Alternating sitting in a chair with sitting on the ball could reduce the discomfort during the day. Safety The ball can roll out from under you if you aren’t careful. Placing the ball on a stability base or ring can keep the ball in place, but may make it harder to position the ball because the ball and the base must shift together. If punctured, the ball can deflate, although most exercise balls are constructed of burst-resistant plastic so they deflate slowly to prevent injury. Space Sitting on a ball at the office or home may require you to reserve space for both a chair and a ball to keep you comfortable and productive. This can create problems if you have a small space and may cause the ball or chair to impede your ability to move freely within the space. Ball Chair Inventive manufacturers offer ball chairs to combine the perceived benefits of a ball with the stability, mobility and comfort of a chair.