The Benefits of Using a Stability Ball as a Chair

Using a stability ball--also known as a core ball, exercise ball, or Theraball--in place of an office chair is a popular way of encouraging physical fitness among employees. It's important that you use the right size ball; your thighs should be parallel, or just above parallel, to the floor when sitting on it.

Core Strength

• Maintaining your position while sitting on a stability ball engages the core muscles in your back and abdomen, helping to increase their strength and endurance.

Balance

• Sitting on a stability ball also helps to develop your balance because you're constantly shifting to maintain balance on the ball.

Ergonomics

• Slouching just isn't an option while sitting on a stability ball. Because of this, they're a useful training aid to help keep yourself in ergonomically correct posture.

Exercise

• Experts recommend taking brief, frequent breaks from working at a computer; having an exercise ball for a chair means that you have a handy piece of exercise equipment you can take advantage of during those breaks.

Joint Stability

• Sitting on a stability ball with one foot at a time planted on the floor--alternating feet so that they get equal time--will help gently engage the muscles of your ankles and legs to maintain your body in position; toning these muscles through constant use will, in turn, help improve the stability of the joints they cross.