Maintaining posture at work is very hard for most of us. We are glued to our chairs looking at the computer all day, and this has taken a toll on our posture. Neck pain, shoulder pain, back pain are inevitable for those who have a desk job. These pains are due to our bad attitude. They are required to sit in chairs for a long time, and it is difficult to maintain a good posture. Stability balls improve our posture and enhance core strength. But if you have questions like should I Use a Stability Ball Chair at Work? Then this post will help you in deciding the same.
Nowadays, it is said that sitting is the new smoking. When you sit for a long time, you are at the risk of getting many health issues. Bad posture is just one of those risks. Many experts now recommend stability ball, which was only used for exercising in the place of regular chairs. They claim that the stability office ball chairs have fantastic health benefits. But it has its advantages and disadvantages. See these merits and demerits of using a stability ball chair before deciding to buy one.
Merits of a stability ball chair
No more slouching!
Usually, when we are sitting in a chair, we tend to slouch. This will reduce our abdominal strength. But with the stability ball chair, you will increase the power of your abdominal muscles to a great extent. Imagine sitting on a ball. You are not just going to relax, but you have to use some of your muscles to sit stable. You will have the mindfulness to maintain balance, and this may increase your focus.
It helps increase your core strength!
With the help of stability ball chairs, you can activate your core muscles which will result in the toning process. As in an ordinary chair, you won’t have much back support in the stability ball chair. You will be required to use your muscles for sitting straight, which will increase their strength. It will make you look good and improve your physique.
It helps burn a few extra calories!
Since you are required to activate your muscles through minute contractions consistently, a few calories are burnt. Only a small amount of calories is consumed, nothing much. But each calorie counts and sitting in a stability ball chair will add some calories you are burning daily. Some of the users have also reported increased energy levels while sitting on the stability ball chair.
Demerits of a stability ball chair
Lower back pain
Dispute the above benefits; many studies have been done which show the opposite effect which we expect from a stability ball chair. The reports of these studies show that many started having lower back pain after they used the ball chair. People with lower back pain and other musculoskeletal disorders are not recommended to use the ball chairs more often.
Causes discomfort
Sitting on these chairs cause much trouble because you don’t have back support that much. Also, it might be challenging to reach your desk, and much of your focus will go into balancing yourselves with it. This might distract you from your work. You will feel uncomfortable while typing since there is no armrest available. This may make you strain your wrists and hands, which will cause unnecessary pain. Some studies even claim that there is no difference in the activation of muscles between a regular chair and a stability chair ball.
Conclusion
There are many factors that you have to take into account before buying a stability chair. If you are already suffering from severe back pain, then steer clear of the stability ball chair. Otherwise, buy a ball chair of the correct height, so it wouldn’t be inconvenient when you are working. Even when you are sitting in a ball chair, you can sometimes develop bad posture. To alleviate the risk, proper usage of the ball chair is necessary.
The best way, regardless of using a stability ball chair or a regular chair, is to stretch your muscles. Take some time regularly in between work and stretch your muscles to lower the risks of sitting long.