Before purchasing a Gaiam Balance Ball chair, I constantly had lower back pain towards the end of the workday. I also noticed my legs and butt falling asleep after sitting for a couple hours.
After doing some research, I learned that sitting in a traditional office chair for a long period of time can not only cause lower back pain, but they tend to reduce blood circulation as well.
In addition, I read a study that said sitting for over 11 hours a day could even increase the chance of death within three years by 40% (for adults 45 years and older). I rarely spend 11 hours a day sitting but this was still shocking news.
So what are my options?
After learning the dangers of traditional office chairs, I knew I had to make a change. Starting the search for a new office chair was fun but daunting. Should I get an active sitting stool, a leaning or semi-standing chair? Finally, I came across the Gaiam Balance Ball chair.
Why choose the Gaiam Balance Ball Chair?
It offered a back support unlike some of the other options. From my research, I had learned that lumbar support is important for long periods of sitting and this chair provided more support than several of the other options. As well, sitting on a balance ball doesn’t reduce circulation so no more sleepy bottom syndrome. Some people have tried using just a swiss ball as a replacement for their office chair but there were several disadvantages to this.
Besides the obvious disadvantages, such as rolling around too much and even falling off, there were some other serious cons to sitting on just a balance ball. Physical therapist and Office Ergonomics Expert, Janice Jacobson says:
While Balance Balls offer the possibility of dynamic movement to counteract the static positioning of most other office task chairs, they are often too small or not blown up enough to bring the person’s elbow height level with their keyboard, which is a key factor in correct ergonomic positioning.”
Sitting on a balance ball over extended periods can also result in similar slouching to what occurs when using a traditional office chair. Without lumbar support, it can also lead to spinal compression and lower back pain.
The Gaiam Ball Chairs solve this problem. They contain the ball within a frame which rolls on locking caster wheels. The frame and wheels lift the ball up to a suitable sitting height so the user only has to maintain proper inflation. Gaiam even offers a more adjustable chair so users can adjust it to perfectly fit their workstation.
It provides lumbar support and the locking wheels prevent the user from rolling around uncontrollably. Although the chair frame neutralizes the issues sitting on a swiss ball creates, it does not take away from the fun that comes with using a balance ball in the office. Bouncing up and down from time to time keeps your body a bit more active and in motion, and it wakes you up a bit.
Health care professionals all agree that it’s important to change positions often and with a balance ball chair, now you don’t even need to leave your workstation to do so.
The Gaiam Custom Fit Adjustable Chair
Other than the custom fit chair, Gaiam offers two other styles, the best-selling standard Gaiam Balance Ball Chair and a more affordable Backless Chair. They all have excellent feedback on Amazon and the standard chair has over 2,800 reviews, being the most popular by far. The standard in black is selling on Amazon for $73.27 and for a few more dollars, you can choose from eight unique colors. The backless chair is available for just under $60, making it the most affordable option. I prefer the two chairs with back support, but if you are just looking for an alternate chair or don´t spend a ton of time sitting, this could be the best option for you.
Is it difficult to adjust to a balance ball chair?
Even with the back support, sitting on a balance ball requires an active core. In other words, unless you are in peak conditioning, you’ll probably feel the burn after a few days in your new chair. So what’s the solution? Keep your old chair to alternate back to when your core muscles have had enough. Many Gaiam chair users have reported that over time their muscles become accustomed to the new chair and as they get stronger, they can sit all day on their balance ball chair with perfect posture and no resulting exhaustion or back pain.
Are there any additional benefits?
These chairs force proper posture which will strengthen your core and straighten your spine. They also improve your balance as the user is using balancing techniques without even being aware. Additional balance practice is easy if you unlock the wheels and practice rolling the chair from side to side and back to front.
Lastly, a workout is always right below your butt. Check out these stability ball exercises from Fitness Magazine:
Why choose a Gaiam chair?
While there are a few other companies that have come out with competing products, there aren’t any products close to as popular as the Gaiam ones. You may save a few bucks but you won’t get the quality you get buying a Gaiam product. They have been making quality yoga and fitness products since 1988.
As well, all their chairs and other products are eco-friendly, a trail I couldn’t find in any competing products. Most plastic good production has an awful environmental effect, so for me, Gaiam is the clear choice.
So help save your back and the planet by purchasing a chair that’s produced with the environment in mind. The Gaiam Ball chair is the best purchase you’ll make all year.
