As a full-time network administrator, most of my day is spent sitting behind a desk. Recently, I’ve started to notice some bad habits in my posture that have caused me to have back and knee pain on a regular basis. I’d heard that sitting on a balance ball was a good way to ease back pain, but the balls I tried were too short to reach my desk. I learned about the Gaiam BalanceBall chair while surfing on Amazon and it looked like it was worth a try. What caught my attention with the chair was the base and how it lifted the ball off the ground enough to help me sit more comfortably at my desk. Before we get into the nitty gritty of the review, let me tell you a few things about balance balls in general. Balance balls (AKA yoga balls, Pilates balls, gym balls, etc.) are inflated rubber balls that are used in gyms and yoga classes for various exercises. The difference between sitting on a balance ball verses a regular chair is that the body responds to the instability of the ball and forces your core muscles to work at keeping your balance.
It also forces you to stay focused. If you don’t focus on sitting correctly when on the balance ball, you’ll find yourself kissing the floor. Sitting on a balance ball won’t give you six pack abs, but working with one on a regular basis will help improve your posture and help strengthen your core muscles. Now, on to the review… Some assembly is required to get the chair ready for use, but the instructions are easy to follow and I had mine built in about five minutes. The size of the ball that comes with the chair is perfect for anyone between 5′ and 5′ 11″ in height. The bad news is that if you’re under 5′ or over 5′ 11″, this chair won’t work for you. Instead, Gaiam suggests you check out the Total Body Balance Kit. It’s not a chair, but it comes with three different size balls to use so you can find the right fit for your height. Once you have it assembled, it’s time to get sitting. The first step to sitting on a BalanceBall is making sure that you inflate it to the correct height.
If you inflate it too much, it may rupture. If you inflate it too little, you will be uncomfortable while sitting on it and you won’t be doing your body any favors. The general rule here is pretty simple: If the ball you’re using is sized at 52 centimeters, then it should inflate to be 52 centimeters tall. Once the ball is inflated properly, place your “sit bones” in the middle of the ball and keep your back straight (don’t lean on the support beam). Your shins and thighs should be at a 90 degree angle. If they’re not, inflate or deflate the ball until they are. Getting used to the BalanceBall chair on the first day was a little rough. In my old chair, I would wheel myself around my office space instead of getting up. The wheels on the BalanceBall chair are not designed to handle that kind of swerving around. I also found myself bouncing and swaying to the point where I got a little sea-sick. An hour or so break in my regular chair, though, and I was ready to hit the ball again.
After a few days, I noticed a significant difference in my posture and the overall feel of my back. It’s only been about a week since I’ve started using it, so it will take a bit longer to see if it’s made any difference in my core muscle strength, but right now I’m happy to have less back pain and more comfort in my day. After losing my ball to a pair of scissors (I should have taken my own advice), I had to sit in my regular chair for two weeks while I waited for a replacement to arrive. During those two weeks, I realized how much of a difference my BalanceBall chair made in my overall focus and comfort levels while at work. Now that I’m sitting pretty on my replacement ball, I couldn’t be happier with my decision to go from ordinary chair to extraordinary chair. The Gaiam BalanceBall chair comes with a neat little book with simple exercises that you can do right at your desk and is available on Gaiam’s website for $79.98. GeekMom received a Gaiam BalanceBall for review purposes.
Comfortable TaskComfortable Office ChairThe FourThe O'JaysSuperior LevelImproperDiscomfortNeck PainEye StrainForwardBest Ergonomic Chair The best ergonomic chair will adjust fit your body, regardless of your height or weight. It will eliminate the four major sources of discomfort in the workplace: back pain, which are neck pain, eye strain, and abdominal/leg pain. Back Pain Back pain results from a number of causes. One of these is the improper placement of your feet. If you tilt back in an old 70′s or 80′s style chair, you will notice your feet lifting off the ground.Click here to see our updated list for 2017 The best office chairs are ergonomically designed to promote good posture and to avoid lower back pain. Whether you are looking for an executive office chair, adjustable desk chair, swivel task chair, leather or mesh, we’ve got you covered. Join us as we rank the top rated office chairs your back will thank you for. 3SEE IT NOW 5SEE IT NOW 7SEE IT NOW Price, Info, & Pics
Price, Info, & PicsFrom hard-backed task chairs, to gaming chairs, to executive chairs and ergonomic ones, shop a wide selection of seating to complete your home office.Find the right office or ergonomic chair to fit your home office, choosing from a wide selection at Best Buy to suit various needs. From high-backed, cushioned leather executive chairs, to task chairs for your guests, and ones that provide additional lumbar support for your extra-long work days, there’s something for everyone. Opt for a larger, upholstered executive chair for a professional-looking home office, a simple task chair, or find a good middle ground with a mesh chair that adds the advantage of better air circulation. If you have back problems or tend to be seated for long periods of time, there are ergonomic chairs that can help improve posture, offer additional lumbar support, and can tilt and/or have adjustable arms. Grab a few guest chairs so clients have somewhere to sit when they visit for short meetings, too.