Nathan Bransford - The Forums

I'm considering using an exercise ball for a chair to stay more active when I'm writing. Has anyone tried this? What are your experiences?
http://www.gearfire.net/10-reasons-to-u ... our-chair/

Robin wrote:I'm considering using an exercise ball for a chair to stay more active when I'm writing. Has anyone tried this? What are your experiences?
http://www.gearfire.net/10-reasons-to-u ... our-chair/

I have thought about this at work! I'm afraid of looking ridiculous, but I'm kind of wanting to try it. I would really like to hear if anyone has done it before.

I've done it! I really liked it, not only for the exercise part, but because it helps with the Fidgets. I can't sit still for very long at all, and when I have to remain in one spot I get the Fidgets really bad. With the ball you can roll your hips around or bounce or generally play around. As a kinetic kind of person, it also helped me think through plot holes and things.

(The only reason I had to give it up is because of my joint condition, the constant need to adjust posture and whatnot was wearing out my hips and spine. If it weren't for that I'd still have a ball for a chair.)

I also knew a girl who had a ball at her office. No one thought she was ridiculous - in fact, she was the envy of most of the office and slowly they started popping (no pun intended) up in her coworkers' offices, too. So Sommer, I wouldn't worry about the image thing. You might start a craze!

dios4vida wrote:
I also knew a girl who had a ball at her office. No one thought she was ridiculous - in fact, she was the envy of most of the office and slowly they started popping (no pun intended) up in her coworkers' offices, too. So Sommer, I wouldn't worry about the image thing. You might start a craze!

I'm captaining a team in our office for this state wide 100 days to wellness challenge going on that our hospital is participating in. My team of 10 from my office are competeing for weight loss and minutes of activity. I wanted to incorporate something at work that would be easy to do and since I spend a lot of time in front of a computer at work, I thought one of those balls might be just what I needed.

Is there a size ball that you would recommend for sitting on?

I've done this occasionally. I can't actually type while sitting on one, because it takes too much of my concentration to stay balanced, but if you just have reading to do it's fine. People with better balance (which wouldn't be hard to come by) might not have my "issues". The cat looked at me funny. But he does that anyway. Occasionally sitting on either an exercise ball or using one of those funky kneeling chairs is something that my chiropractor recommends for anyone who spends long periods of time at a desk---basically anything that changes up the position your normal desk chair keeps you in will help alleviate strain.

BTW, was intrigued but almost hesitant to click on this thread---was afraid there'd be pics. LOL :P

cheekychook wrote:I can't actually type while sitting on one, because it takes too much of my concentration to stay balanced, but if you just have reading to do it's fine.

You just answered the question that came to mind for me.

I'm doing it. I'm going to buy one. Adventure time!

I have one in my cube and use it from time to time. It's still sitting, which really sucks after a while so i have resorted to standing, screw it.

Good idea! I have a 65cm ball (26" dia) I've never blown up. It's probably a bit small for my height to use as a chair but I'll try it for the feel.

I think the one I had was 26" diameter (I'm 5'7"), but I'm not sure. 26" sounds about right. I'd say that you should try to find one that's about the height of your preferred office chair.

Personally, I didn't have any problems typing on it. I kinda used my hands on the keyboard as a mental anchor, so that while my hips and legs would roll around my upper body would remain pretty steady. That's great for the waist, BTW.

And the cats looked at me really funny, too, but like cheekychook said - what else is new?

Thanks for the good info.

Sommer-- I am getting one in the morning. I can barely stand my long nights sitting in this chair. My butt fell asleep (literally) a few nights ago after an insane 7pm-2am writing session.

Cheeky-- no pics, sorry. I'd rather have a JLo booty than a writers' butt. Trying to be proactive here ;)

Quill- blow that thing up and let me know what you think.

Mike-- Standing, wow. I can only stand and write in my kitchen, but then I see the fridge and the TV and all is lost :(

Robin wrote:Thanks for the good info.

Sommer-- I am getting one in the morning. I can barely stand my long nights sitting in this chair. My butt fell asleep (literally) a few nights ago after an insane 7pm-2am writing session.

Cheeky-- no pics, sorry. I'd rather have a JLo booty than a writers' butt. Trying to be proactive here ;)

Quill- blow that thing up and let me know what you think.

Mike-- Standing, wow. I can only stand and write in my kitchen, but then I see the fridge and the TV and all is lost :(

I'm picking one up on the way home from work tomorrow.

FYI the one I've used is actually my husband's, which I purchased for him---I remember buying it based on the height chart on the box. I don't know what size it is, but it's whatever size it recommended for a 6' tall guy. I am 5'2" and that exercise ball is the right size for me to sit on and be at desk height. Judge accordingly.

cheekychook wrote:FYI the one I've used is actually my husband's, which I purchased for him---I remember buying it based on the height chart on the box. I don't know what size it is, but it's whatever size it recommended for a 6' tall guy. I am 5'2" and that exercise ball is the right size for me to sit on and be at desk height. Judge accordingly.

Ah, another handy tip. The article I read said you want your thighs to be almost parallel to the floor, but at 5'0" I'm guessing that would put my desk way too high for me. I would really like the sort of desk I had to the police dept. I could adjust the height at the touch of a button, and I stood more often than one might imagine. Great for stretching (though not so great for controlling adrenaline).

I did try sitting on an exercise ball. It did help my posture, but I have a bad back and it proved too strenuous to sit on it for long. I've also seen a base on wheels that I'm interested in trying. You place the ball on the base and can scoot around between your desk and the copier or whatever. I have a friend who has one and she has the body of a goddess. She worked hard to get there and uses the ball to keep it.