Swapping your regular desk chair for a balance or exercise ball can help you keep your body engaged while you work. The instability of a large balance ball causes you to contract you muscles in order to stay stable. Before you completely replace your chair with a ball, consider the size you'll need. Then, ease into the change slowly to give your body a chance to adjust to the new seating arrangement.
Step 1
Take dimensions of your work desk. You'll need to know approximately how tall the desk is before you choose the right size ball.
Step 2
Purchase a ball according to its size. Ideally, you'll want your knees to sit at a 90-degree angle when you're sitting on the ball and your feet are flat on the floor. This ensures proper posture to help you avoid strain. In general, exercise balls come in 55 cm, 65 cm and 75 cm sizes. The taller you are, the larger the ball you'll need.
Step 3
Sit on inflated balls to decide which will suit you best. Try a number of fitness balls, using your posture and your written dimensions and a tape measure to help guide you through the process to choose the right size. A retail associate may be able to suggest a ball that is popular as a chair.
Step 4
Look for a ball that is labeled "burst-resistant." Not only is the ball made of a thicker, more durable material, but should the ball become punctured, it will simply deflate instead of popping. This is invaluable for safety when using an exercise ball on a regular basis as a chair.
Step 5
Inflate the ball according to package instructions. Most balls come with a pump and a pin, but you can also inflate your ball with a bicycle pump or service station pump. Inflate the ball halfway and then allow it to sit overnight to allow for settling. Inflate to 100 percent after 12 hours by measuring out the size of your ball on a wall with a pencil, and then inflating to that point to ensure you have the right amount of air.
Things You'll Need
- Pencil
- Paper
- Tape measure
- Balance ball
- Ball pump
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