Benefits of Using an Exercise Ball

Benefits of Using a Pilates Ball, Swiss Ball, Exercise Ball and Stability Ball  (they are one and the same!)

I have worked in Manhattan for a while, and recently, I started to notice this strange phenomenon where some executives started sitting on a Pilates ball, instead of using their regular chairs. So after almost dying of hysterical laughter for a few minutes, I googled it, and saw the light. It turns out it’s good for you.

Click here to shop for exercise balls.

This applies to whether you are at the office or working at home in the basement, these exercise ball chairs (aka swiss balls, pilates balls or stability balls) are godsend for your aching backs. Check out these benefits of sitting on an exercise ball instead of your old boring regular chair.

1.  Forces proper spine alignment. Because an exercise ball is not stable, your body needs to try to balance itself on  it. When you have proper spinal posture, it allows you to balance yourself. That is why your body will automatically try to align itself into the proper posture. The end result is better spinal health and less back pains.

2. Since you are sitting on a ball, you tend to change positions more often. This is because you are always trying to balance yourself.  Doing simple things such as turning to face the phone, will result in your body assuming a new position. The more you shift, the less damage your body incurs due to prolonged sitting in same pose.

3. Quick workouts are  always there. A great thing about using an exercise ball as alternative to a chair, is that you can do  stretches or mini-workouts whenever you want, without getting up. Anytime you get bored, just do a quickie exercise. Because it’s much more convenient, you will  probably do it more, thus resulting in better health.

4. Your sense of balance will be improved. This is expected. Sitting on an unstable surface all day will improve your  sense of balance, as well as the reactions of your muscles. You can feel results right away in terms of having a much better overall sense of balance as you move around.

5. Get that 6-pack abs you have always wanted. Your body primarily uses your core abdominal muscles to help compensate for  changes in balance. In effect, you are getting a continuous abdominal workout as you sit. This might not sound like a big deal but when you count the hours you spend sitting at your desk or in front of the computer, the numbers start to count. These hours pile up and before you know it, and you start developing that 6-pack abs.

6. It’s great for the circulation. Sitting on an exercise ball promotes good blood flow throughout your body for the whole day. A desk chair on the other hand, reduces circulation to some parts of the body after prolonged use.

7. You will feel more energetic. It’s a fact that if you stay in just one position for prolonged periods, it’s guaranteed you will feel more exhausted by the end of the day, as compared to constantly moving around and feeling more energetic as a result. With an exercise ball as a chair, you will feel much more energized  after you finish your work.

8. Burn up hundreds of  calories per day. More movement during the day means more calories burnt. If you burn at least 350 calories per day, you can lose at least a pound of fat every couple of weeks while sitting on this swiss ball. You may not burn quite 350, but nonetheless, it will help you stay fit.

9. Extremely affordable. Specialized exercise balls designed for sitting usage can range from $20 to $90. Much cheaper than  buying an ergonomic chair, which can range anywhere from $100 to $1,000 and up.

10. It’s really a lot of fun! Everyone is a kid at heart when you think about it, so look at it as feeding your inner child as you bounce around all day. Exercise balls are an  exciting alternative to chairs, and may just give that spark of fun to your day.

So what are you waiting for? Browse Here for a wide selection of balls and chairs.