Quick Answer: Why Use an Exercise Ball at Work?
Using an exercise ball as an office chair offers 7 key benefits:
- Improved comfort and convenience
- Burns extra calories while working
- Eco-friendly and sustainable option
- Relieves back pain
- Improves breathing and oxygen flow
- Increases core strength
- Promotes better balance and posture
If you've ever heard about exercise balls before, you'll know that they are quite useful. From helping during pregnancy and postpartum to easing labor pain, exercise balls serve many purposes. In this article, we'll explore the specific benefits of using an exercise ball in your office environment.
7 Reasons to Use an Exercise Ball in Your Office
1. Convenience and Comfort
The convenience and comfort that comes with sitting on an exercise ball are unbeatable, and if you compare it with sitting on a traditional office chair, the benefits become even more apparent!
How it helps:
- Increases trunk muscle activity
- Improves your posture naturally
- Eliminates discomfort from rigid office chairs
- Provides dynamic seating that adapts to your body
- Reduces pressure points common with traditional chairs
Considering that in most office setups, employees work for 8-9 hours sitting on chairs, these exercise balls can be a great solution to the daily discomfort many office workers experience.
2. Burn Extra Calories
This might surprise you, but it's true - sitting on a Trideer exercise ball can help you burn calories! This sounds like a dream come true for those working hard to stay fit. After all, remaining healthy can be challenging when you're sitting at a desk all day.
Calorie-burning benefits:
- Engages core muscles continuously
- Requires constant micro-adjustments for balance
- Burns more calories than passive sitting
- Keeps your body active even while working
How to Use an Exercise Ball Properly for Maximum Benefits:
Just keep these few things in mind and you're good to go:
- ✓ Keep your knees hip-width apart
- ✓ Ensure both feet are flat on the ground
- ✓ Straighten your neck and spine, roll back your shoulders
- ✓ Keep your abs activated by making gentle circular or side-to-side movements when seated
- ✓ Maintain a 90-degree angle at your knees and hips
3. Sustainability and Eco-Friendliness
While conventionally produced exercise balls can be detrimental to the environment, this is not a problem with Trideer exercise balls.
Trideer's commitment to sustainability:
- Phthalate-free materials: Safe for you and the environment
- Passed California Proposition 65: Lead (Pb) & Cadmium (Cd) compliant
- Passed California Proposition 65: Phthalates compliant
- No heavy metals: Unlike many balls on the market
At Trideer, we've always been mindful of sustainability when designing our products. This has been one of our core business practices. The Trideer team was inspired to create these eco-friendly balls years ago during R&D when we discovered high levels of heavy metals in the majority of balls available in the market. Understanding the environmental and health implications, we were determined to create something healthier and better for the environment.
Using Trideer exercise balls poses no danger to your health or the environment.
4. Helps Relieve Back Pain
Suffering from constant back pain that drains your productivity? Exercise balls can help with your back pain issues!
How it works:
- Increases trunk muscle activity
- Triggers the body to address discomfort
- Encourages proper spinal alignment
- Reduces pressure on lower back
- Strengthens supporting muscles
Effective exercises on the ball:
- Side stretches
- Bridges
- Spine rotations
- Gentle bouncing
- Pelvic tilts
While simply sitting on the ball provides some benefit, taking time to do a few stretches while sitting on it will prove miraculous for your back. Sitting on an exercise ball office chair increases trunk muscle activity, which triggers the body to deal with discomfort such as back pain.
Important: If you have severe back pain, especially from an injury or complex spinal condition, please consult a doctor before practicing any exercises.
5. Breathe Better
When you spend long hours slouching over your office desk, your lungs are compressed because poor posture limits the amount of air you breathe in. With an exercise ball, your body maintains proper sitting posture, resulting in a better breathing mechanism.
Benefits of better breathing:
- Boosts productivity: More oxygen to the brain improves focus
- Relaxes your body: Proper breathing reduces stress
- Conserves energy: Less energy needed for oxygen transport
- Aids concentration: Increased airflow improves mental clarity
- Quietens nervous system: Helps prevent anxiety
- Improves mood: Better oxygenation enhances well-being
Better breathing increases airflow in your body, which aids concentration and quietens the nervous system in your brain - a great way of preventing workplace anxiety.
6. Increase Your Core Strength
Exercise balls come without the back or arm support present in office chairs. While some might see this as a drawback, it's actually a major benefit for building strength!
How it strengthens your core:
- Forces your body to compensate for lack of support
- Automatically engages core muscles
- Activates abdominal muscles when sitting upright
- Strengthens obliques through constant micro-adjustments
- Builds deep stabilizer muscles
- Improves overall functional strength
Due to the absence of support, your body automatically finds ways to compensate, making your core muscles stronger over time. This passive strengthening happens throughout your workday!
7. Promote Good Balance and Posture
Using exercise balls helps you maintain good balance because, unlike sitting on a regular office chair, sitting on an exercise ball requires active engagement.
Balance benefits:
- Develops proprioception (body awareness)
- Strengthens stabilizer muscles
- Improves coordination
- Trains your body for proper alignment
- Reduces risk of falls and injuries
A slight change in posture and you could roll - which sounds funny but can be both painful and embarrassing, so proper technique is important! Constant practice of sitting on exercise balls helps your body learn proper balancing, so you don't have to consciously make an effort to maintain the right posture after some time.
Choosing the Right Exercise Ball for Your Office
To maximize these benefits, it's important to choose the right size ball:
Office Exercise Ball Size Chart
| Your Height | Ball Size |
|---|---|
| Under 5'0" (152cm) | 45cm (18") |
| 5'0" - 5'5" (152-165cm) | 55cm (22") |
| 5'6" - 6'0" (165-185cm) | 65cm (26") |
| 6'1" - 6'5" (185-195cm) | 75cm (30") |
Proper fit test: When sitting on the ball, your knees should be at a 90-degree angle with your thighs parallel to the floor.
Recommended: Trideer Exercise Balls for Office Use
For the best office experience, choose Trideer exercise balls:
- ✓ Extra-thick, anti-burst PVC material for safety
- ✓ Supports up to 2,200 lbs - completely safe for office use
- ✓ Non-slip textured surface for stability
- ✓ Eco-friendly, phthalate-free materials
- ✓ Available in all standard sizes
- ✓ Includes pump for easy inflation
- ✓ Professional-grade quality
- ✓ Multiple color options to match your office
Tips for Transitioning to an Exercise Ball Chair
Start gradually:
- Begin with 20-30 minutes per day
- Gradually increase to 1-2 hours
- Alternate between ball and regular chair initially
- Listen to your body and take breaks as needed
Best practices:
- Keep a regular chair nearby for breaks
- Maintain proper inflation (firm but with some give)
- Use on a non-slip surface or mat
- Keep feet flat on the floor
- Engage your core throughout the day
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to use an exercise ball as an office chair all day?
While exercise balls offer many benefits, it's recommended to alternate between a ball and a regular chair, especially when starting. Begin with 20-30 minutes and gradually increase. Some people comfortably use them for several hours, while others prefer shorter periods.
Can using an exercise ball really help with back pain?
Yes! Exercise balls can help relieve back pain by improving posture, strengthening core muscles, and reducing pressure on the spine. However, if you have severe or chronic back pain, consult a healthcare provider before making the switch.
How many calories can I burn sitting on an exercise ball?
While the exact number varies, sitting on an exercise ball engages more muscles than passive sitting, leading to increased calorie burn. The active sitting and micro-movements throughout the day contribute to overall energy expenditure.
What size exercise ball should I get for my office?
Choose based on your height: 55cm for 5'0"-5'5", 65cm for 5'6"-6'0", 75cm for 6'1"-6'5". When sitting, your knees should be at a 90-degree angle. See our complete sizing guide.
Will my employer allow an exercise ball in the office?
Many progressive employers support ergonomic alternatives. Present the health and productivity benefits to your employer. Some companies even provide exercise balls as part of their wellness programs.
Are Trideer exercise balls really eco-friendly?
Yes! Trideer exercise balls are phthalate-free and have passed California Proposition 65 standards for lead, cadmium, and phthalates. We're committed to creating products that are safe for both you and the environment.
Conclusion: Transform Your Office Experience
And that's it! We hope this article has proven resourceful, helping you understand all the benefits that come with using exercise balls in your office environment.
Key takeaways:
- Exercise balls offer 7 major benefits for office workers
- They improve posture, relieve pain, and boost productivity
- Trideer balls are eco-friendly and safe
- Start gradually and build up usage time
- Choose the right size for your height
From improved comfort and calorie burning to better breathing and core strength, an exercise ball can transform your workday. Plus, with Trideer's commitment to sustainability, you can feel good about your choice for both your health and the environment.
Ready to upgrade your office setup? Get your Trideer exercise ball today and experience the difference!
Let us know which of these benefits you find most intriguing in the comments below!
