Best Balance Ball Chairs For Sitting Behind A Desk

Balance ball chairs offer a more active way of sitting behind your desk over the totally passive way we generally sit during an already immobile desk job.

More and more desk workers are defying their sluggish professional existence by using a stability ball as an office chair, in student dorms, and at home work stations. We’ve gathered the best rated balance ball chairs for sitting and reviewed them.

Just to be clear, exercise or fitness ball chairs are also called:

therapy ball chairs, yoga ball chairs, stability balls, pilates balls for offices, gym balls, or ergo ball chairs.

Despite the complex nomenclature they all do the same thing; improve your posture and mitigate the slothful pose that is so typical for desk work.

 

Why sit on a yoga ball behind your desk?

Conventional desk chairs invite you to slouch and lounge for hours on end, with all kinds of detrimental effects on your body.

You don’t have to bounce, roll around, and roll your ball chair under your back to do back stretches in between emails to reap the benefits of these chairs. Although you could, if you felt like it.

Just by not being able to lean back into your regular office chair and on its arm rests you are improving an unhealthy pose.

As a result you’ll…

• sit more upright, with engaged core muscles and abs, a healthier spine, and better overall posture
• keep your core strong and prevent muscle pain, soreness and other discomfort
• force your core muscles to keep   your balance  because of  the instability of the bal l which also   coerces you to stay focused
• if you want you can easily do some exercises  during brief breaks
• these micro workouts also boost focus and productivity
• you may burn some additional calories while you’re at it as well.

 

Best stability ball chairs for desks

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1. Gaiam Balance Ball Chair Stool

If active balance chairs are a little too active, the Gaiam Balance Ball Chair Stool may be a better solution. This hydraulic height-adjustable seat comes with or without a metal footrest, making it perfect for the office, home and classroom.

Rather than forcing your legs to constantly hold up your weight, it uses micro-movements that encourage your muscles to subtly compensate for your movements. You can still relax at work while toning muscles and improving posture – it’s that easy!

Pros

• hydraulic height adjustable from 18″ to 23″
• micro-movements encourage your muscles and improving posture
• full degree swivel

Cons

• locking mechanism on the wheels is not necessary

 

2. Classic Gaiam Balance Ball Chair

One of the reasons this desk chair / exercise ball hybrid is so popular is because it provides lumbar support. This can be a plus and a minus.

Hardcore balance ball desk workers claim that not having lumbar support is the actual purpose. Others may experience difficulties with sitting on a balance ball. Especially when starting when you need to get used to it, or after hour-long sessions.

At 52cm it’s smaller than typical balance balls. This allows it to fit in between desks with drawers where larger balls may not fit. The Gaiam Balance Ball Chair is best suited if you’re in between 5′ and 5′ 11″ tall.

Pros

• comfortable
• helps relieve back pain

Cons

• no height adjustment
• swiveling and wheel locking could be better

 

3. Gaiam Custom-Fit Adjustable Balance Ball Chair

For those who find balancing on ball chairs difficult, Gaiam has come out with a new model called the Custom-Fit Adjustable Balance Ball Chair.

The chair includes adjustable legs, locking castor wheels, a cushioned backrest for lumbar support but the best feature is its height adjustability.

The chair is also latex-free and ideal for those with sensitive skin. Unfortunately, the chair only works for those in the range of 5’0”-5’11”.

Pros

• height adjustable
• adjustable legs
• works wonders for back pain and better posture

Cons

• may get sweaty in hot weather
• the lumbar support is too far back for many, forcing users to lose their good posture in order to use it.

 

4. Backless Balance Ball Chair

You may be wondering why you should consider buying the Gaiam Backless Balance Ball Chair when there’s a model that includes a backrest. After all, backrests are better for you, right? Not this time.

Having a backless ball chair encourages better posture because you have to balance yourself without any aids. You’ll get more of a core workout, and your posture will remain straight.

While lumbar support is all well and good (and necessary for some), this chair improves posture by teaching you how to sit properly on any chair.

Pros

• casters can lock
• comfortable

Cons

• assembly instructions lack clarity
• hard to assemble

 

5. Trideer Exercise Ball

Long work days won’t seem so long when you’re cradled in the comfort of a supportive exercise ball chair. Focusing on the task at hand is a breeze due to Trideer’s slip-resistant materials, which are also eco-friendly for the conscious consumer.

The Trideer Exercise Ball can be used for office, home and classroom, with or whithout the stability ring and can support up to 2200 pounds. The ball can not only be used as an office chair but also as a yoga ball or a birthing ball.

Pros

• comfortable and sturdy
• improves posture and relieves back pain
• multifunctional use
• anti-slip surface

Cons

• not mobile when in use with the stability ring

 

6. Kids Balance Ball Chair

Even pint-sized human beings need proper posture. Give your kids an early start with the Gaiam Child Size Balance Ball Chair. Gaiam’s kid-sized model comes with a removable backrest so your child can use it when they need to rest their legs.

Parents with children that have learning disorders such as ADHD and Sensory Integration Processing Disorder have found this chair incredibly useful in helping their child focus. It’s just too bad that the chair is too small for many children, despite the age/size range listed.

Pros

• helps kids who can’t sit still and have difficulty concentrating focus and sit still

• size is appropriate for pre-schoolers and first and second graders

Cons

• not height adjustable
• wheels don’t lock

 

7. Vivora Luno

The Vivora Luno Exercise Ball looks wonderful! It has such a clean design that makes it a great addition to any home or office, and you’re going to be the belle of the ball (so to speak) at the yoga studio.

Its self-standing design really sets it apart from its fellows; I appreciate the ingenuity in this because I imagine some ball chairs just roll away when you get up, but Vivora Luno stays close by.

Pros

• works wonders for back pain and better posture
• keeps in place when you stand up
• fitted with carrying handle
• suitable for home, office, classroom, outside

Cons

• not height adjustable
• the cover is rough/itchy on bare legs

 

8. Safco Zenergy Ball Chair

Safco’s Zenergy Ball Chair looks a little odd, but it’s a great alternative to more mainstream medicine ball chairs that feel a bit slippery. The Zenergy chair is covered in mesh to provide more grip while sitting.

The stationary glides are a mixed basket; on the one hand, you don’t have to worry about castor wheel locks failing you. On the other hand, it can be difficult to move the chair around. There’s no height adjustment feature either aside from how much you inflate the ball.

Pros

• stylish; looks better than most regular bouncing balls
• keeps in place when you stand up
• sturdy construction
• height adjustable during assembly

Cons

• not your most affordable option

 

9. Enovi Pro Balance Ball Chair

The rubbery material of a balance ball can cause some discomfort when you sit on it for long hours, but what if there was one that felt like sitting on a light, fluffy cloud? There is!

Enovi Pro Balance Ball Chair kit comes with a durable balance ball, a cotton slipcover, and a stability ring to keep you comfortable while still working your core through active sitting. Sport Shiny’s washable slipcovers come in six different colors.

Pros

• suitable for home, office, gym, yoga
• improves core strength and releases back pain
• activates good posture
• a soft and comfortable and washable cover

Cons

• some users prefer an electric pump

 

10. Enovi Original Starfish Balance Ball Chair

Inspired by the very ocean creature known for its unwavering balance in harsh tides, the Enovi Starfish Balance Ball Chair stays secure during active sitting. Anti-skid stationary glides secure the chair to the floor, much l10.ike a starfish’s suckers attach to the rough rock of a reef.

The chair can support up to a whopping 2000 pounds due to its heavy duty build. The ball’s soft cover, which comes in five color choices, is also machine washable.

Pros

• elegant and unique design
• great for sitting long periodes
• improves core strenght and releases back pain
• engages the abs and leg muscles

Cons

• some users mention difficulty putting the cover in place

 

11. RGGD&RGGL Yoga Ball Chair

There are so many good things about this yoga ball chair that it’s hard to know where to start! First off, RGGD&RGGL Ball Chair is made from non-toxic materials that are hypoallergenic. Secondly, it’s leak-proof and “100% explosion-proof”, which I’m sure is a great comfort to us all.

The ball is available in six colors, supports up to 2200 pounds, and is composed of multiple layers of PVC to prevent punctures.

Pros

• multi-use balance ball: suitable for home, office, gym and pregnancy
• improves posture and core strenght, releases back pain
• strenghtens abdominal and leg muscles

Cons

• none: very good reviews overall

 

12. MANTRA SPORTS Exercise Ball Chair

There’s something different about the MANTRA SPORTS Exercise Ball Chair. Just like other active sitting chairs, it offers a day-long, low energy workout that tightens and strengthens your core while promoting excellent posture.

The difference is that this exercise ball chair , which comes with resistance bands and a stability base, has its own workout videos that you can do at home! There is also a wall poster with exercises to keep your body fit and healthy.

Pros

• forces you into a better posture
• improves posture and core strenght
• comes with workout video and wall poster
• suitable for home, office, gym, yoga and physio

Cons

• not height adjustable

 

Don’t Miss:

Active Sitting Chairs & Stools For Kids

8 Amazing Birthing Balls That Double As Office Chairs

20 Best Ergonomic Desk Stools Encourages Active Sitting

Related Products:

 

Gaiam Balance Disk

 

 

 

 

Topo Anti-Fatigue Mat

 

 

 

Buying Tips

A short buying guide to help you consider the various aspects of getting the right-sized stability ball for you. Here’s what to keep in mind.

• • Hybrids –Without the frame you may the ball too wobbly, with frame you don’t have all the benefits of a stability ball. Consider what you’re want in a chair or try various models before you buy.
  • Proper size – Depending on how tall you are and your desk size / office set up you may find that your ball chair isn’t the right height or size for your desk. For the correct ergonomical position a balance ball chair should allow you to sit with tension-free shoulders hanging but straigt
  • Proper inflation – Keep it as firm as possible, this ensures you’ll keep the correct height as is advertised.
  • Size – Common sizes are; 55cm, 65cm, and 75cm. Sometimes, optional size extension tools are available.

 

Wrapping it up

If you’re new to desk working on a ball chair you should know it’s recommended to build up your time gradually.

Especially af first it can be tiring and discomforting to sit with your new, healthy posture for hours on end. Initially, your butt and back will hurt.

Just get up and walk around for a bit. Depending on your fitness level, your muscles will typically need a few weeks to get used and will get stronger quickly.

By Amber Young.