A recent trend in office-based fitness is for workers to sit on a stability ball instead of a chair. Proponents tout that this will help you build and work your core muscles as you work. It's important, however, to determine whether the benefits...
Stability balls, also called exercise balls, physio balls and Swiss balls, are over-sized rubber balls used for fitness, rehabilitation and now, desk chairs. Stability balls were first used in clinical rehabilitation centers in the 1960s. The...
The American Council on Exercise recommends you exercise most days of the week and include aerobic, resistance and flexibility exercises into your routine. Getting enough exercise is often easier said than done, especially if you work long hours...
Once your body ball has served its purpose, it's important to take the right steps to recycle it the proper way. Body balls are composed of polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, a flexible and durable material that is a great for keeping you in shape but is...
If you want muscular abs fast, you must be willing to make sacrifices and be disciplined. Your best bet is to do resisted exercises and work your abdomen from multiple angles and with multiple movement patterns. This will ensure that you maximize...
Poor posture while sitting at a desk is common among office workers. Exercises can be done to correct these problems by focusing on strengthening the abs, back and other core muscles. Stretching exercises for the neck and glutes also improve...
Crunches are primarily an abdominal toning and muscle strengthening exercise versus a calorie-burning exercise, such as running or cycling. For this reason, ab exercises should be combined with regular aerobic physical activity to increase...
The back consists of major muscle groups which are essential to the human body's basic function. The major muscle groups of the back include: latissimus dorsi, trapezius, rhomboids, erector spinae, and rotator cuff. All too commonly, individuals...
Swapping your office chair for a fitness ball forces your core muscles to engage through every minute of the workday, training your body to support itself in good posture. Sitting on a fitness ball also makes it easy to follow the Canadian Centre...
Improving your neck posture helps you reduce muscle strain and tension headaches, along with upper back and shoulder problems, disc bulges and herniations and inflammatory conditions such as arthritis. According to the Spine Universe website, the...
Sitting on an unstable surface like an exercise ball forces you to maintain position by engaging the core muscles, and helps the neuromuscular system to develop balance, core strength and endurance. According to a 2009 Associated Press report, a...
Replacing your office chair with a stability ball may sound silly, but the benefits are well worth a few inquiring glances from co-workers. Sitting on a stability ball may improve core strength and balance, according to the Mayo Clinic. Sitting on...
Exercise balls aren't just for the gym anymore. Large, inflatable exercise balls are an alternative to the traditional office chair. A comfortable seat provides a sturdy base and reduces strain while sitting at a desk all day. The exercise ball...
The advantages of using an exercise ball as an office chair are many. Balls are generally more affordable than office chairs. They also encourage constant small adjustments in your posture, which helps improve your balance, align your spine, tone...
The United States Department of Health and Human Services recommends adults perform muscle-strengthening exercises at least twice each week. Adults should also perform stretching exercises daily to keep their joints flexible. Having to work at a...
Child-sized plastic chairs are a thing of the past in some classrooms. Instead, students sit on stability balls, which are normally found in the gym as a workout tool. The large, flexible balls come in a variety of sizes, including smaller balls...
Lower-body exercises aim to strengthen and tone hip and leg muscles. Muscles targeted include the gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, hip abductors, tensor fascia latae, quadriceps, hamstrings and calves. In "Making the Cut," author Jillian Michaels...
Children may have poor posture because of lack of core stability, according to Scott Bautch, past president of the American Chiropractic Association's Council on Occupational Health. They also spend a large amount of time in front of computers....
One of the most common questions asked in every health club is, "How do I flatten my stomach?" This question does not have an easy answer. A flat stomach depends on your genetics as well as time and dedication spend changing your lifestyle.
A weight bench can be a relatively expensive investment. If you want to work out at home but aren't ready to sink a few hundred dollars into a good bench, several alternatives are available to you. Whether you're doing bench step-ups, chest...
The muscles in the lower back actually start in the upper back, just below the skull. They are called the erector spinae, or spinal erectors, and run the length of the spinal column. By strengthening these muscles, you will create better spine...
Excess weight has a tendency to appear in the stomach and love handle area in men. When it shows up in the chest area, it is often referred to as "man boobs." The appearance of this fat can be a culmination of factors, such as poor eating habits,...
The Gaiam Balance Ball Chair aims to combine fitness with office ergonomics. The chair consists of a latex-free, burst-resistance 55cm balance ball that sits in a wheeled, ring-shaped cradle with a rudimentary back support. The chair also comes...
Pushups are a basic exercise used to help strengthen muscles in the chest. Pushups also help strengthen the deltoids, triceps and biceps. This exercise can be performed almost anywhere. All that is required is space. A gym membership and workout...
The lats and pecs are two of the largest upper body muscle groups. Strong lats help create the V-shaped torso, while pecs create an aesthetically pleasing chest. Overdevelopment and tightness in these muscle groups can contribute to bad posture...
Exercise balls are pieces of exercise equipment that are used for stretching, core training, cardio and strength training. Getting the proper size ball for your height and learning how to sit on it correctly are the first steps to using a ball...
"Exercise--including weight training--helps improve your posture, keeps you fit during pregnancy and may improve your ability to cope with the pain of labor," according to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Talk with your...
During the first trimester of pregnancy, most new moms-to-be gain some weight in the thigh area. But exercising the inner thighs while pregnant can be troublesome if not done correctly. Learn how to correctly and safely tone your inner thighs when...
As you curl your upper body up toward your knees for a situp, your rectus abdominus and external obliques are being activated only for the first 30 to 40 degrees of the movement, according to Wanda K. Simmons, registered physical therapist. She...
Relieve the tension of a rough day at work. Learn exercises and stretches for your workout routine in this fitness video.
Loosen your neck muscles with some easy stretches. Learn exercises and stretches for your workout routine in this fitness video.
Lat pulldowns will work the back and if done properly can also work the abdominal muscles as well. Learn how to use resistance bands to do lat pulldowns from a certified personal fitness trainer in this exercise video.
Also known as a Swiss ball or an exercise ball, this workout prop breaks up your routine. Learn exercises and stretches for your workout routine in this fitness video.
An exercise ball is great for strengthening your core muscles. Learn how to use an exercise ball as an office chair to get a workout all day long in this fitness video.