| You know those large rubber balls found in health | | | | there are still those that find the benefits don't |
| clubs and gyms? How about replacing the desk | | | | outweigh the constant activity required over |
| chair in your office with one? Though far from | | | | extended durations. |
| becoming the norm, these unconventional seating | | | | More obvious risks are the safety factors. After |
| options are showing up in more and more | | | | all, it's a ball, and it can roll. If your attention is |
| workplaces. | | | | elsewhere, or you're in deep concentration, you |
| And not just in companies like Google, who are | | | | may fall off possibly injuring yourself and/or send |
| well known for embracing the unconventional. (I | | | | the ball careening into someone else. |
| mean how many places can you bring your dog | | | | To solve this problem some manufacturers build |
| to work with you?) But firms like BMW, Sprint | | | | frames for the exercise balls, making them more |
| Nextel, and many more, as well as several | | | | like regular chairs complete with arms and backs. |
| schools are trying them out. | | | | Of course in gaining stability, this solution seems |
| The most vocal proponents for their use consider | | | | to defeat the original benefit, leaving the user with |
| them the ultimate solution for eliminating | | | | nothing but a bouncy seat. |
| persistent backaches and chronic back pain. Other | | | | There is no doubt a lousy desk chair makes for |
| benefits include improved posture because there's | | | | an uncomfortable, less productive workday. It will |
| no back support to slouch against, and heightened | | | | also make one susceptible to all manner of |
| ability to concentrate. | | | | soreness and backaches. But while the exercise |
| In addition, there is a substantial exercise benefit. | | | | ball chair has certainly demonstrated itself to be a |
| Instead of sitting idle for roughly 8 hours every | | | | solution for many, those in need of a better |
| day, that time is transformed into a workout | | | | seating option would be well advised to check out |
| focused mainly on your lower back and abdominal | | | | an ergonomically designed, well-made desk chair. |
| muscles. Once the balancing activity becomes | | | | And not just one - find the one that fits you. |
| second nature, they say the minimal, but | | | | Everybody is different and experience has proven |
| continuous exertion of maintaining stability | | | | there is no such thing as one size fits all. It's |
| increases toning and fitness. | | | | amazing how much difference a properly fitted, |
| However, there are some physical therapists and | | | | top of the line ergonomic chair will make - it's like |
| ergonomic consultants who offer a word of | | | | sitting on air. |
| caution. They say that replacing your desk chair | | | | No, you won't be exercising, so if that's your goal, |
| with a fitness ball isn't for everyone, and there | | | | consider the ball. But if you don't want to even |
| are some risks to be aware of. Starting out | | | | notice the chair, and your desire is to feel as good |
| slowly is advised, using the ball for increasing | | | | leaving at days end as when you arrived, spend |
| intervals of time until adapting to the exertion | | | | some money on a real chair. I mean if you're |
| required for sustained periods. | | | | spending a third of every day seated, why |
| They also suggest that older employees should | | | | wouldn't you? You can still get the ball for |
| avoid these type chairs and that even with | | | | diversion - it's only about $30. |
| younger workers tending to adapt more easily, | | | | |