Do you believe it? Exercise ball instead of a chair?

I myself have tried this and ended up losing 35lbs.....of course the only reason I lost the weight was because I was in a come for 6months after rolling off the ball and smashing my forehead against the edge of the table resulting in a fractured skull, minor brain damage and the aforementioned coma.....still, I now look fabulous in tight jeans but I have the head of Frankensteins monster

I do not know anyone who has done this.I will say that it sounds like a good suggestion to me, and I may try it. The different chairs I have used at the computer usually cause me to do strange things with my legs and end up with pain, or with numb spots on my posterior. It seems it would cause less back pain because you would be constantly moving and readjusting. Increased blood flow. I have one, I just need to dig it out.

I have 2 friends ( both doctors) that have done this exact thing. They have told me I should try it...So I did...I haven't given up my computer chair yet...but borrowed their ball and loved it...It is recommended by many chiropractors...It is better for your back than most chairs...I am actually going to do it when I redo my computer room!

I think it would strengthen your abdominals and your back. Knowing me, I'd fall off!!

My husbands chiropractor told us to do this. He said it would force us to have good posture instead of slumping in our computer chairs and help with our back pain. Of course we have an exercise ball and it's in our closet deflated. Guess I need to get it back out and use it instead of my computer chair. My new year's resolution was to get in better shape. Guess this is one way I could try.

I have heard this too, but it is very hard. I mean, you will most likely have to ease yourself into it. I think that it is a good idea, my back hurts anyways from all the bad chairs that I've sat on all these years.

I think that you could do it for a while. Why not sit on the ball for a while, and the chair for a while. It would give your back some stretches. I am sure they don't want you to sit on it for hours.

It sounds like it would be a whole body workout at the same time. All your muscles working together to keep you from falling on your buttocks. I think it might cause fatigue at first, but as you become more stable and your muscles strengthened, it will become second nature all the tiny adjustments your body makes to keep your balance. I think it might just work. I may borrow one from work and try it out.

One of my girlfriends told me that she did this and it helped to make her back stronger and strengthen her core muscles. I on the other hand would not even consider this an option for myself because I can hardly walk and chew gum at the same time without nearly killing myself,LOL! I can't imagine the bodily harm I would inflict on myself if I tried balancing on an excercise ball and typing.

Well it comes to a point when your back would need protection and something to support it, I think it would be wonderful if we could just do it but I think it would cause more back problems than solve anything else. Good in some bursts every now and then but not otherwise IMO. ~Joey

Someone here has done it, I remember her talking about it and showing a picture of her ball. It was a while ago so I don't know if you'll be able to find the discussion and I don't remember who it was. I should make my s/o sit on a ball while he's using the computer. He's gained a lot of weight recently so he could stand to lose a few anyway...plus if the only way he could use the computer was if he sat on a bal I bet he'd be on here less which would add to his weight loss lol!

I have heard of this and tried it too. I wouldn't recommend it at work, but if you are watching tv I could see it.

I think it is a great idea and I have been thinking about doing it! Your back would hurt so I would alternate the ball and the chair. Your mid section would get sour to because sitting on the ball to keep balance your midesection must work.

I had heard about sitting on a ball instead of your sofa whilst watching the tv but never the computer, I think my desk is too high but I might give it a try a few hours a day.

wow! I think that is a great idea, though I have never heard of it before, it makes sense to me. think about it - by keeping your balance on it you are strengthening your calves and thighs and even abdomen.... and out of entertainment you would probably do more than just sit trying to keep your balance, but would probably roll it back and forth a bit (like sitting on a rocking chair, you are bound to rock and not just sit there) While your back may become fatigued after a bit - it will probably serve to also strengthen your back muscles. If I were to do it I would need the extra tall ball, I could not stand to have my knees too high, nor my body too low to the floor. I would also start out at 15 minutes and work my way up to better stamina.

Sound like may work for a short period of time but if you are posting on mylot it may bother your back. I would try b4 buying. If your friend has one, use it for a week; if it works then invest in your own. Let us know how it works out.

You use your core muscles to hold yourself up on the ball. I think it may be a little low tho.