Do you spend most of your working day sitting in an office chair? If so, you could be creating future problems. Sitting in a fixed position with your back and legs supported by a chair means your muscles and spine can weaken, leading to even more weakness as you get older.
So how can you fix this common problem? Answer: Sit on an exercise ball.
These balls, which cost less than $30 and last for years, help end stiffness for the working stiff. The biggest benefit is that using a ball for a chair requires constant stabilization by the core and glutes to keep the ball in place. In addition, because you have to hold your back upright, rather than depending on a chair back for support, the ball will help strengthen your spine and back muscles.
Another exercise ball benefit is that it frees your upper body to move around. Twisting your shoulders from side to side will stretch and exercise both the core and spinal muscles. At first, the balancing act required to sit in a stable fashion on the ball may seem slightly sketchy. But within a day or two, the balance will be so easy, you won’t even be conscious of it. Best of all, the ball ‘chair’ will help eliminate some lower back pain.
When pumping up the ball, inflate it so that it’s very slightly soft, allowing comfortable support when you sit on it. To keep the ball from rolling away, put it under your desk or table. The only thing you have to worry about is that someone will grab your ball and start a game of catch. But even throwing it around is a good way to get an active break in the day’s routine.