Review of:
Exercise Ball Chair 

Sit and get fit. I like it.
I’ve been intrigued by several recent studies have shown that individuals with higher levels of "spontaneous physical activity,” otherwise known as people who fidget, burn more calories than normal. The Mayo Clinic’s Dr.Michael Jensen said that fidgeting, standing up often, stretching and efforts to maintain good posture burn calories and use excess energy that might otherwise be stored as fat. 

Exercise balls, also called Swiss balls, fitness balls and balance balls, look like big beach balls. They have been used by physical therapists and chiropractors for years but have only recently bounced into the consumer market. (Figure 1)

Balls come in three diameters: 55, 65 and 75 centimeters. Most people use a 65 cm ball as a desk chair. However, if you are over 6'2" you may feel more comfortable on a 75 cm ball. People between 5' and 5'5" can use a 65 cm ball that is partly deflated. The key is to have your legs bent at a 90-degree angle when sitting.

There are also different quality balls. I got the sturdiest, burst resistant to 1,000 pounds of pressure. It cost a little more (I paid $40 for mine) but if punctured it will slowly deflate instead of popping like a balloon. Even so, you need to keep the area under your desk free from discarded paperclips, rogue staples and thumb tacks. Do not try this at home if you have a cat.

As I write this article I have been using by ball for about a week. I sit straighter and constantly wiggle — just a bit — as I sit. Rather than being tiring, I find it invigorating, keeping me more alert and energized than slouching in my normal desk chair. 

This is an exercise ball, so when you’re not chained to a keyboard you can put it to use in a fitness program. My ball came with a wall chart of a dozen exercises.

If this is too weird for you, you can buy an inflatable seat that promotes the same posture improvements and fidgeting benefits (figure 1.) I haven’t tested this, but it looks like a winner.

If you have back problems you might want to check with your physician before ditching your chair for a fitness ball. If you want to try one out, I will be lugging mine to the September 19 session of the Healthy Hackers SIG. 

I bought my Dura Ball Pro 65 cm off the Internet from Fitter International for $40. I also bought an air pump for $8 bringing my total, including shipping, to $58 US dollars. They are located at 

4519- 1st Street SE
Calgary, AB, Canada TG2 2L2

If you’re wary about spending that much, or want it in a hurry, Living Arts sells a balance ball kit, which contains a 65 cm ball, pump and video for about $30-40. I’ve seen it on the shelves at Whole Foods, and you can probably get it at Oshman’s or Academy sporting goods stores. These are thinner-walled balls (burst tested to 600 pounds) and I was wary about using one as a chair every day. Other people have spotted balls at Wal-Mart for as low as $15. Amazon.Com sells a full line of videos and the complete Living Arts kit on their Web site.

This isn’t for everyone, but if you spend a lot of time at your computer and feel tension in your shoulders and back caused by poor posture and lack of movement, this might be just the breath of fresh — make that stale — air you’ve been looking for