What Are the Benefits of Using a Ball Instead of a Desk Chair?

People who sit at a desk all day often experience back problems, and one frequently suggested solution is to use an exercise ball instead of a desk chair.

Encourages Good Posture

• Sitting quietly on a ball demands good posture. The more you sit on a ball, the better you will get at maintaining that posture.

Promotes Core Strength

• The constant adjustments you will make while sitting on a ball focus on your midsection. This can help strengthen the core muscles of your torso.

Allows Pelvic Movement

• When you sit down in a chair, your body is almost locked into position by the flat cushion and, in some cases, chair arms. Because a ball is easy to move around, small adjustments in your hip and spine position are simple to make, possibly eliminating stiffness.

Requires Constant Attention

• You will need to make constant small adjustments on a ball to maintain balance. For an otherwise sedentary job, this amounts to several hours of exercise a day. You can get ball chairs, which use balls placed in a base to prevent unintended movement; however, these provide less exercise.

Inexpensive

• Doctors are not convinced that an exercise ball will eliminate back problems, but experimenting with a ball is definitely cheaper than experimenting with chairs. Exercise balls can be purchased for well under $20.