Spending several hours a day sitting on an office chair can put a real strain on the body. Many people complain of tension and back pain. Some time ago, the exercise ball for the desk seemed like a good solution to this problem. An office seat ball means you have to sit actively all the time, which can strengthen the muscles and help prevent pain. But why a gym ball for the office cannot permanently replace a high-quality office chair is explained here.
- Are seat balls allowed in the office?
- What are the advantages of a seat ball in the office?
- What are the disadvantages of a seat ball in the office?
- Why can a seat ball in the office be harmful to my back? And how can this be avoided?
- How else can the seat ball be used?
- Conclusion
Are seat balls allowed in the office?
Whether a seat ball is permitted in the office depends on the employer’s specific rules. If you would like to use a seat ball in the office, discuss with your employer whether they have any objections. Occupational safety and occupational health experts generally advise against using seat balls as a replacement for an office chair. Unlike an office chair, a seat ball is not adjustable
It can only be adapted slightly to your body by choosing the size and the amount of air. The ball cannot be adjusted to the height of the desk either. In addition, using seat balls can involve an increased risk of accidents. As the seat ball has no backrest, long-term use can become tiring. We therefore generally recommend an adjustable office chair when furnishing an office. However, a seat ball can be offered as an alternative to encourage active sitting.
What are the advantages of a seat ball in the office?
A seat ball offers several advantages. It has a direct effect on sitting posture. Because there is no backrest, for example, it is not possible to lean back carelessly. The body is constantly engaged while sitting. You have to keep your balance and focus on maintaining an upright sitting posture. Your feet must be placed firmly on the floor to stabilise the seated person. This keeps the body active and the muscles under constant strain. If you adopt a slack, incorrect posture on a seat ball in the office, you lose your balance and are automatically reminded to correct your posture.
What are the disadvantages of a seat ball in the office?
A few years ago, seating balls were still very popular as an alternative to the office chair. It is still undisputed that these balls can encourage active sitting. However, seating balls are not suitable for getting through a full working day in the office. Sitting on a piece of fitness equipment like a seating ball for eight hours can be tiring and affect work performance. In addition, falls can occur time and again when using a seating ball in the office. It is recommended not to sit on a seating ball for more than 30 minutes at a time. Prolonged sitting on a gym ball in the office can even harm the body if an ergonomic sitting posture is not maintained at all times.
Occupational health specialists recommend using a high-quality office chair and making the working day in the office varied. This means you should alternate between sitting, standing and moving around to relieve your back. To ensure variety, it is best to have a wide range of options available:
| Height-adjustable desks | Not only allow individual adjustment to body height, but also offer the option of working while standing |
| Ergonomic office chairs | Numerous adjustment options ensure that sitting can be made as ergonomic as possible |
| Seating balls | Promote the back muscles, as balance must be maintained constantly |
| Chairs and stools for active sitting | Offer similar benefits to the seating ball, but can be adjusted individually to the desk and the user. Also available with a backrest, among other options |
| Balance boards / anti-fatigue mats | To make working while standing more active and strengthen the muscles |
Why can a seating ball in the office be harmful to my back? And how can this be avoided?
Anyone who spends several hours a day sitting in front of the computer knows how important the right seating is for well-being in the workplace . Sitting on a seating ball for too long can cause the body to become fatigued. The small deep muscles are constantly engaged when sitting on the ball.
This constant strain can lead to overloading of the muscles, which in turn can cause tension and back pain. This problem can occur especially if an ergonomic sitting posture is not observed, and it can even result in poor posture.
To avoid this, we recommend always making sure that your feet are firmly on the floor, that you maintain an upright posture and that the desk is adjusted to the height of the seating ball. You can find more tips on ergonomic sitting here these can also be applied to the exercise ball.
How else can you use an exercise ball?
An exercise ball can not only be used as a temporary alternative to an office chair, but is also ideal as a piece of exercise equipment after work or during your lunch break. Especially after a long day of sitting, there should be some form of balance to strengthen and relax the muscles.
We have already summarised some workout exercises for at home and in the office for you in other advice articles. You can also find a video here.
If you are looking for more exercises, why not try this one:
Lie on your back with your legs bent and raised, place the exercise ball between your lower legs, and stretch your legs straight out above the floor. The ball should not touch the floor and is held only by the strength of your legs. Then bend your legs again to a 90-degree angle. Make sure your back stays flat on the floor at all times and that you do not arch it. Repeat the exercise several times — you will feel it working the muscles, especially in your core and legs.
Conclusion
As with many things in life, the same principle applies to sitting on an exercise ball: "everything in moderation". A ball should not be used permanently as a replacement for an ergonomic office chair. However, it is one of many products that can add the variety needed to encourage active sitting. Experts agree: the more active your working day is, the better. Anyone using an exercise ball should always make sure to "maintain good posture" and sit ergonomically. In addition, the exercise ball can be used as workout equipment for various back exercises in the office and at home.