Spending several hours a day sitting in an office chair can be very stressful for the body. Many people complain about tension and back pain. The desk sitting ball seemed to be a good solution to this problem some time ago. A sitting ball office ensures that you have to constantly sit actively, which can strengthen the muscles and prevent pain. But you can find out here why the exercise ball for the office cannot permanently replace a high-quality desk chair.
- Are sitting balls allowed in the office?
- What are the benefits of a sitting ball in the office?
- What are the disadvantages of a sitting ball in the office?
- Why can the sitting ball in the office be harmful to my back? And how can this be avoided?
- How else can you use the sitting ball?
- Conclusion
Are sitting balls allowed in the office?
Whether a sitting ball is allowed in the office depends on the employer's regulations. If you would like to use a sitting ball in the office, discuss with your employer whether they have anything against it. Occupational safety and occupational health experts generally advise against using seat balls as a replacement for a desk chair. In contrast to one Desk chair A sitting ball is not adjustable
It can only be slightly adjusted to your own body by selecting the size and the air content. The ball cannot be adjusted to the height of the office table either. In addition, the use of sitting balls can be associated with an increased risk of accidents. Since the sitting ball does not have a backrest, long-term use can be strenuous. We therefore generally recommend an adjustable office chair when setting up an office. However, a sitting ball can be offered as an alternative to promote active sitting.
What are the benefits of a sitting ball in the office?
A sitting ball offers several advantages. It has a direct influence on the sitting posture. For example, due to the lack of a backrest, it is not possible to lean back carelessly. The body is constantly challenged while sitting. You have to keep your balance and concentrate on sitting upright. The feet must be placed firmly on the floor to stabilize the person sitting. The body therefore remains active and the muscles are constantly stressed. If you adopt a slack, incorrect posture on the sitting ball in the office, you will lose your balance and will automatically be reminded to correct your own posture.
What are the disadvantages of a sitting ball in the office?
A few years ago, sitting balls were still very popular as an alternative to desk chairs. It is still undisputed that these balls can promote active sitting. However, sitting balls are not suitable for completing a whole day of work in the office. Sitting on a piece of fitness equipment such as a sitting ball for eight hours can be tiring and impair work performance. In addition, falls can occur again and again with the sitting ball office. It is recommended not to sit on a sitting ball for more than 30 minutes at a time. Long-term sitting on an exercise ball for the office can actually harm the body if an ergonomic sitting posture is not maintained over the long term.
Occupational safety doctors recommend using a high-quality desk chair and making your working day in the office varied. This means you should alternate between sitting, standing and moving around to relieve the strain on your back. To ensure variety, it is best to offer a wide variety of options:
| Height-adjustable desks | Not only does it allow individual adjustment to your body size, but it also offers the option of working while standing |
| Ergonomic office chairs | Many adjustment options ensure that sitting can be made as ergonomic as possible |
| Sitting balls | Promotes the back muscles as balance must be constantly maintained |
| Chairs and stools for active sitting | They offer similar advantages to the sitting ball but can be individually adapted to the desk and the person. Available with a backrest, among other things |
| Balance boards / Anti-fatigue mats | To make standing work more active and to strengthen the muscles |
Why can a sitting ball in the office be bad for my back? And how can this be avoided?
Anyone who spends several hours sitting in front of the computer every day knows how important the right seating is for their well-being at work is. Sitting on the sitting ball for too long can cause the body to tire. The fine muscles of the deep muscles are constantly stressed by sitting on the ball.
This constant strain can lead to excessive strain on the muscles and even more so, tension and back pain. This problem can occur especially if you don't pay attention to an ergonomic sitting posture, which can even result in poor posture.
To avoid this, we recommend that you always make sure that your feet are firmly on the floor, that you maintain a straight posture and that the desk is adjusted to the height of the sitting ball. You can find further tips on ergonomic sitting here these can also be applied to the sitting ball.
How else can you use the sitting ball?
A sitting ball can not only be used as a temporary alternative to an office chair, but can also be used as exercise equipment after work or during your lunch break. Especially after a long day of sitting, there should be some balance to strengthen and loosen the muscles.
Some sports exercises for at home and in the office We have already summarized them in other guide texts. You will also find a video here.
If you are looking for further exercises, try this exercise:
Lie on your back with your legs raised at an angle, take the exercise ball between your lower legs, stretch your legs straight above the floor. The ball does not touch the ground and is only held by the strength of your legs. Then bend your legs again at a 90 degree angle. Always make sure that your back is straight on the floor and that you do not form a hollow back. Repeat the exercise a few times; you will notice the muscles working, especially in the torso and legs.
Conclusion
As with many things in life, the credo “enjoy in moderation” also applies to sitting balls. A ball should not be used permanently as a replacement for an ergonomic office chair. In order to promote active sitting, it is one of many products that provide the necessary variety. Experts agree that the more active your everyday working life is, the better. Anyone who uses a sitting ball should always make sure to “maintain posture” and sit ergonomically. In addition, the exercise ball can be used as sports equipment for various back exercises in the office and at home.