Stability ball at work
 

I just brought my stability ball from home and am using it as my desk chair. I'm bouncing, rolling, balancing... has anyone else done this? I figure if I have to be here for 8 hours, I may as well get in what exercise I can. :)

That's a great idea! Especially since you work pretty much sedentary all day, it's a great way to burn extra calories.

I, on the other hand, work in daycare. So I'm on my feet all day long. If I did bring my ball in, the kids would play on it more than I would!

Haha. I'm sure that's true. I wish I had a job where I got some REAL physical activity, but I guess you make do with what you have.

I've already gotten several comments from co-workers. One lady said, "well, I've seen it all now." :D

You can actually buy a stability ball chair!

http://www.amazon.com/Gaiam-Balance-.../dp/B0007VB4NE

I say, though, if the ball you have works, why spend the extra money? :D

That's pretty cool.

Ha, this makes me think of Dwight on the office :) Hopefully you don't have a Jim to pop yours with scizzors! (or if you do...give me his number! ;)

In all seriousness, I 've heard this can also help with back pain and headaches. Keep us posted as to what results you notice!

Wow's that's interesting...

Originally Posted by sharongracepjs:
In all seriousness, I 've heard this can also help with back pain and headaches. Keep us posted as to what results you notice!

Wow. I hope that's true. I always have a headache at the end of the day. I'll definitely let ya'll know how it goes... :)

They say that using your ball as a chair will really strengthen your core muscles. I'm interested to see how this works out for you! :)

I'm totally going to try this at work!

Well, I don't know if it's the height of my desk or what, but by the time I left work yesterday after sitting on the ball for about 2 1/2 hours, my back was KILLING me. I was so excited to feel like I was doing something at least a little physical instead of just sitting on my bum for 8 hours a day. :(

You know, I read here a while back about how many calories stability balls use when just bouncing on them. I am thinking to buy one for when I watch Oprah or Dr. Phil which I try to do one hour each day. Does anyone have any idea how many calories I could burn in 1/2 an hour. How difficult is it to "bouce" for an entire hour?

Originally Posted by Shipaholic:
Well, I don't know if it's the height of my desk or what, but by the time I left work yesterday after sitting on the ball for about 2 1/2 hours, my back was KILLING me. I was so excited to feel like I was doing something at least a little physical instead of just sitting on my bum for 8 hours a day. :(

which part of your back, upper or lower?

Lower back. And it wasn't just uncomfortable, like I would get used to it, it really hurt. I'm pretty sure it's the configuration of my desk. I have a slide-out keyboard and there's not a lot of room under it for my legs, so the position I was in was kind of awkward.

Do you think it's the muscles just not being used to it? I thought about bringing mine into work after seeing your post, but I also wondered about the height of the desk. My desk is already higher than a typical desk.

You know, it could be that. I didn't think I was on it long enough to make my muscles that sore, but maybe it was really working them and I just didn't know it.

I'm definitely going to start using it at home in the evenings, and hopefully I can work up to bringing it back to work.

I have a desk job, but work from home. I sit on the ball sometimes. My back also hurts after a couple hours and I go back to the chair. I was thinking about just starting with an hour and then increasing it from there slowly. It's a nice change, but I don't think I'd want to sit on it 8 hours a day. My hoo ha gets numb and falls asleep aftere awhile. That's a weird feeling.

sit on a ball at my desk when I have to be at the computer for long stretches due to school work--totally feels great on my back! I am so glad they let you have it at work. mine has a stabilizer under it....

lol..about the kids and daycare...when I first bought my ball, my son took it over...I had to chase it down all over the house. finally he realized that it was my ball, but I told him I would get him one.