Have you noticed a new trend recently regarding the stability ball?  These wonderful fitness tools aren’t just being used in the gym — they’re now being used in offices and schools as replacements for standard chairs.

Grammar school teachers have been providing them for their classes. Because the students must frequently change positions to maintain balance, teachers find that they have improved alertness and concentration.  Experts say that the brain is stimulated by the use of the core muscles as the kids shift positions on the balls, causing them to be more focused.

Adults are also getting into the balancing act at the office.  Many have replaced their desk chairs with these exercise balls, getting a workout while at work.  In an article in courier-journal.com, Indiana University’s School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation kinesiology lecturer Kelly Jo Baute states that while sitting on a stability ball, the body is allowed to move more freely than when sitting in an office chair, which provides an opportunity to strengthen the postural muscles.  Additionally, the quadriceps and hamstring muscles are activated by working to keep the ball from rolling around.

According to Chard Garvey, a physical therapist with the Jeffersontown office of KORT (Kentucky Orthopedic Rehab Team), “bodies like movement.  The more people tend to move, as a general rule, the better they tend to feel versus sitting in a chair that you don’t have to use a lot of musculature to support yourself.”  (Carter, Darla. “Stability balls get a workout subbing as office desk chairs.” courier-journal.com • December 10, 2009)

If you‘re thinking about replacing your desk chair with a stability ball, make the change gradually over time.  Baute recommends an approach of about 20 minutes in the morning and 20 minutes in the afternoon.  And you may have to build up to that.  Also, be aware of your posture.  Because there is no back support, you may tire and begin to slouch.

Stability balls are known by many names, i.e. exercise ball, fitness ball, gym ball, yoga ball, Pilates ball and Swiss ball. They come in several sizes, so be sure to choose the size that allows your hips and knees to be at a 90 degree angle when your feet are on the floor.  (Don’t choose by color — they’re color-coded by size.)  Generally, if you are 4’11” to 5’4”, choose a 55 cm ball; 5’5” – 5’11”, choose a 65 cm ball; and over 6’, choose a 75 cm ball.  Also, be sure the ball you choose is burst resistant and is fully inflated so that it is firm.  If you have back problems, check with your doctor before attempting to make the switch.  And be careful … you could fall off!

If you’re in the market for a high quality stability ball, consider the Natural Fitness Burst Resistant Exercise Ball.  It provides a firm, comfortable surface, is burst resistant to 600 lbs. and is made of non-toxic, phthalate free, latex free composite vinyl.  Natural Fitness plants a tree for every one of its products sold. Their Zero Impact Program funds this important reforestation program in areas of the world most needing the benefits of agroforestry and with tree species chosen for the greatest impact to the local ecology and people.

This entry was posted on Thursday, December 24th, 2009 at 6:28 pm and is filed under Shaping Up. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.