Is it good for your back to sit on an exercise ball at work?
Laskowski, M.D. If long periods seated at a desk are giving you a sore back, your office chair may need adjusting to give you better back support — or you may even need a new chair designed to reduce back pain. Sitting on a fitness ball for office work is not recommended.
Only use the equipment for a maximum of 20 minutes and alternate between an ergonomic office chair. Focus on pulling the tummy button in to keep the ball stable and keep feet flat on the floor. Make sure you purchase a ball with anti-burst technology.
The exercise ball is an exercise treatment option for back pain sufferers and is designed to help prevent or minimize further episodes of low back pain as part of a rehabilitation program.
The idea of sitting on an exercise ball instead of a traditional office chair is that the instability of an exercise ball requires the user to increase trunk muscle activation and thus increase core strength, improve posture and decrease discomfort. Another benefit ball chair supporters claim is increased calorie burn.
Low Back Decompression Stretch with Swiss Ball | San Diego Chiropractor
If you want to experiment with a yoga ball chair, make sure to follow these guidelines: Don't sit for longer than 2 hours at a time. If you sit too long, your muscles will become fatigued and you may end up feeling sore in your middle back and lower back.
Many treatment programs for low back pain or sciatica incorporate use of an exercise ball to strengthen the core muscles in the stomach and back that support the spine. Using an exercise ball for strengthening is clearly an effective way for people with lower back pain problems to rehabilitate the spine.
The range of inflation for all the stability balls is between 0.6 PSI and 0.9 PSI. Generally, users should inflate to their desired firmness within that range.
Sitting on the ball works your core, strengthening those muscles so that your spine is supported, resulting in better posture. You will find that you sit up straighter and over time you will walk taller. Better posture is very good for your spine, making it more flexible and stronger.
Place the ball under your back, buttock, or upper thigh while you lie on the floor and gently move around to find sore muscle groups. Once you find a tender spot, you can focus and press there, but not too hard. Be sure not to roll the ball directly over your spine. Stop right away if you feel any sharp or sudden pain.
Does rolling on a tennis ball for back pain?
Massaging your feet with a tennis ball stretches your hamstring and calf muscles and can provide immediate, effective low back pain relief. Simply roll the tennis ball under your foot from toe to heel. Press as hard as you can tolerate along the inner arch of the sole while avoiding pain.
The increase in the calorie burn is real but small. According to a 2008 study, performing clerical work at a desk while sitting on an exercise ball burns about four more calories an hour than the same activity in a chair, or roughly 30 extra calories in a typical workday.

Well, trading in your office chair for an exercise ball can help you burn an extra 50 calories an hour, says personal trainer Monica Vazquez from New York Sports Clubs. How? “When seated on an exercise ball, you engage your core muscles more,” Vazquez says.
Exercise Ball as an Office Chair : Training & Body Sculpting - YouTube
How to Decompress Your Lower Back in 30 SECONDS - YouTube
Lie on your back, and bend your knees slightly, putting a pillow beneath them at a 30-degree angle to support your lower back and decompress the spine. Add a pillow to support your neck and keep your head in a neutral stance.
Increase abdominal and back muscle strength on a yoga ball
As you bounce on a yoga ball, you will notice the muscles in your abdomen, back, and hamstrings tighten. The up and down movement on a ball builds muscle strength in your stomach, back, hips, and legs.
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Choosing the Right Exercise Ball.
Exercise ball diameter | Person's height |
---|---|
65 cm | 5'9"– 6'2" |
75 cm | 6'3"– 6'7" |
85 cm | 6'8" and taller |
How to Lose Weight With an Exercise Ball - YouTube
Lie on your back with both of your knees bent and your feet on the ground. Lift one leg and cross it just above your knee. Hold the thigh of the leg with the foot on the ground and pull up to your chest until you can feel the stretch in your buttocks. Hold for 10 to 30 seconds.
How do I use an exercise ball for sciatica?
Lift up the leg on the same side as the tennis ball, and then slowly roll back and forth over the ball. You should notice some relief right away if this exercise is a good fit for your condition. Discontinue the tennis ball massage if your pain gets worse.
- Step 1: Lie on your back with your legs bent and your feet flat on the floor.
- Step 2: Bring one knee to the chest while keeping the other foot on the floor.
- Step 3: Keeping the lower back pressed to the floor, hold for up to 30 seconds.
- Step 4: Repeat on the other side.
How to Flatten Your Stomach With a Core Ball - YouTube
The best way to know that your exercise ball is properly inflated is to measure the height of the ball when it's fully inflated.
Calculate Diameter given circumferecefor circles and spheres