# Swiss Ball (Exercise Ball) as seating: pro or con? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 3, 2006, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swiss-ball-exercise-ball-as-seating-pro-or-con/367124 "2006-08-03T01:29:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Rachael\_Rage](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/71c47a/32.png) [@Rachael\_Rage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachael_Rage)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2006, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swiss-ball-exercise-ball-as-seating-pro-or-con/367124/1 "2006-08-03T01:29:59Z")
I am considering getting one of those Swiss Balls (aka Exercise Ball, Balance Ball, Resist-a-Ball, etc.) to replace my computer chair at home. I’ve read some pro and con arguments online, and want to get your thoughts on the following: 1. Do you/have you used one? Did/do you like it, or not? 2. How many hours per day do you use it, or would recommend using it? 3. Are there any particular brands you would, or would not, recommend? 4. Alternatively, what do you think about kneeling chairs? I spend a lot of time on my computer at home, especially now that I don’t have a full-time job (I’m looking - anyone know of anything?). A couple of casters have broken off the ottoman I currently use, and I don’t want to spend a lot on a new chair (I’m thinking \<$50). I like the idea of something “active” that will help offset the fact that I’m sitting on my ass for howevermany hours a day. Also I like the added benefit of having an exercise aid at hand. I don’t mind having a backless chair, and I like something low-profile that fits under the desk when I’m not using it. ---
**Author:** ![MoodIndigo1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e8c25b/32.png) [@MoodIndigo1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MoodIndigo1)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2006, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swiss-ball-exercise-ball-as-seating-pro-or-con/367124/2 "2006-08-03T02:29:44Z")
I can’t say about the exercise ball, but I do have a backless kneeling chair for my computer. At first I liked the way it made my back feel, correctly aligned, but I find it’s not suitable for long periods at the computer. The circulation would get cut off in my legs, or I’d get cramps in the front of my thighs. My husband and son can’t stand sitting on it for even a minute. Testing the kneeling seat at the store for a minute or so is not indicative of the real feel of the chair. ---
**Author:** ![porcupine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ac91a4/32.png) [@porcupine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/porcupine)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2006, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swiss-ball-exercise-ball-as-seating-pro-or-con/367124/3 "2006-08-03T02:38:11Z")
I have [this one](http://www.gaiam.com/retail/product.asp?product%5Fid=95-1004) at work. It’s cheaper at Amazon, I believe. I had to gradually work my way up to using it all day. And it does make your tailbone hurt a bit after a while. But it improves your posture a lot; it’s really difficult to slouch in without falling off. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![tremorviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@tremorviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tremorviolet)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2006, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swiss-ball-exercise-ball-as-seating-pro-or-con/367124/4 "2006-08-03T02:48:53Z")
> [@porcupine](#): > > I have [this one](http://www.gaiam.com/retail/product.asp?product%5Fid=95-1004) at work. It’s cheaper at Amazon, I believe. I had to gradually work my way up to using it all day. And it does make your tailbone hurt a bit after a while. But it improves your posture a lot; it’s really difficult to slouch in without falling off. 😃 I dunno, I eventually figured out how to sort of slump over the keyboard even on my ball. That said, I love using one as a seat and I did have to work up to a full day as it initially made me tired for long periods. I miss mine, my last one rolled into my space heater and melted :eek: . ---
**Author:** ![porcupine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ac91a4/32.png) [@porcupine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/porcupine)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2006, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swiss-ball-exercise-ball-as-seating-pro-or-con/367124/5 "2006-08-03T02:56:37Z")
> [@tremorviolet](#): > > I dunno, I eventually figured out how to sort of slump over the keyboard even on my ball. Yep, so did I, but it took some effort. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![SnakesCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4af34b/32.png) [@SnakesCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SnakesCatLady)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2006, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swiss-ball-exercise-ball-as-seating-pro-or-con/367124/6 "2006-08-03T03:39:33Z")
A friend of mine has one and loves it. I want one, but my office is in the cat suite and the cats aren’t declawed, so I’m not sure how long it would last. ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2006, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swiss-ball-exercise-ball-as-seating-pro-or-con/367124/7 "2006-08-03T06:24:36Z")
I use an exercise ball at home, and have for a while. I tried to get one at work, and bought a second one that says it’s the same size, but is actually much, much, much shorter than the first. Size matters. At home, it is my only chair near the computer, and it is possible to slouch on an exercise ball. But not as quickly and not as easily as in a normal chair. And I can sit on it for long periods of time without problem. I don’t remember having to build up to it - but maybe? I also like kneeling chairs, but don’t have one yet. That would probably eliminate the slouching. ---
**Author:** ![Tamryne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3e96dc/32.png) [@Tamryne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamryne)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2006, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swiss-ball-exercise-ball-as-seating-pro-or-con/367124/8 "2006-08-03T06:32:53Z")
I enjoy using one as a seat because of the good posture, the muscle workout, and its just plain fun when you are really bored. You can sit crosslegged and move around when bored, rather than bouncing your legs in a regular chair. On the other hand, having a nice comfy back to your chair comes in really handy after typing for 8 hours. Sure your posture sucks, but when your the only person left at work noone really cares how professional you look. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2006, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swiss-ball-exercise-ball-as-seating-pro-or-con/367124/9 "2006-08-03T15:46:00Z")
> [@SnakesCatLady](#): > > A friend of mine has one and loves it. I want one, but my office is in the cat suite and the cats aren’t declawed, so I’m not sure how long it would last. I wouldn’t worry about it. My cats won’t go near mine, much less claw holes into it. ---
**Author:** ![Twinkie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@Twinkie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Twinkie)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2006, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swiss-ball-exercise-ball-as-seating-pro-or-con/367124/10 "2006-08-03T15:51:33Z")
> [@porcupine](#): > > I have [this one](http://www.gaiam.com/retail/product.asp?product%5Fid=95-1004) at work. I have the same chair. I bought mine from Amazon for around $60. The first couple of days, my stomach felt like I’d done a bunch of sit-ups, but after that it was fine. If I sit in a regular chair for too long, it’s hard for me to straighten up. No problems with this chair, though (unless I’m not sitting properly - which you can do, as others have said). The pump they sent to inflate the chair was junk, and broke right away. Every so often, you’ll have to top off the air, so it helps if happen to have a different pump (I use the one from my camping gear). ---
**Author:** ![Rachael\_Rage](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/71c47a/32.png) [@Rachael\_Rage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachael_Rage)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2006, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swiss-ball-exercise-ball-as-seating-pro-or-con/367124/11 "2006-08-03T16:11:46Z")
> [@amarinth](#): > > Size matters. How do you determine the size? Is the measurement they give the inflated diameter, or the flat diameter? I would think that the flat diameter would be larger than the inflated diameter, so could be misleading. My current seat is 18-19 inches from the floor, so I’d want something equivalent to that. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2006, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swiss-ball-exercise-ball-as-seating-pro-or-con/367124/12 "2006-08-03T16:44:13Z")
> [@Darth Vader's Little Pal](#): > > How do you determine the size? Is the measurement they give the inflated diameter, or the flat diameter? I would think that the flat diameter would be larger than the inflated diameter, so could be misleading. > > My current seat is 18-19 inches from the floor, so I’d want something equivalent to that. It needs to be big enough so that when you sit on it, you’re knees make a 90 degree angle. When you go to the store to buy one, you may need to sit on all the different sizes to find one that fits you correctly. I’d strongly recommend against buying one off the internet, as it might not fit you right and the return process would be much more difficult. ---
**Author:** ![Pixisis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@Pixisis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pixisis)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2006, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swiss-ball-exercise-ball-as-seating-pro-or-con/367124/13 "2006-08-03T16:58:29Z")
> [@Lord Ashtar](#): > > I wouldn’t worry about it. My cats won’t go near mine, much less claw holes into it. Ditto. ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2006, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swiss-ball-exercise-ball-as-seating-pro-or-con/367124/14 "2006-08-03T19:00:53Z")
> [@Darth Vader's Little Pal](#): > > How do you determine the size? Is the measurement they give the inflated diameter, or the flat diameter? I would think that the flat diameter would be larger than the inflated diameter, so could be misleading. That’s the thing - both of mine are labeled “65” but they’re wildly different sizes. If I do try and replace my work chair again, I’m buying one from a store where I’ve seen it inflated already so I know “it’s this big.” ---
**Author:** ![Auntbeast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Auntbeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Auntbeast)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2006, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swiss-ball-exercise-ball-as-seating-pro-or-con/367124/15 "2006-08-04T03:13:54Z")
> [@amarinth](#): > > where I’ve seen it inflated already so I know “it’s this big.” Wouldn’t it be nice if everything else was so… 😃 ---
**Author:** ![sinjin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@sinjin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sinjin)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2006, 9:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swiss-ball-exercise-ball-as-seating-pro-or-con/367124/16 "2006-08-04T09:01:56Z")
> [@Tamryne](#): > > On the other hand, having a nice comfy back to your chair comes in really handy after typing for 8 hours. Sure your posture sucks, but when your the only person left at work noone really cares how professional you look. You’re sitting on a gigantic bouncy ball worrying about looking professional? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Rachael\_Rage](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/71c47a/32.png) [@Rachael\_Rage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachael_Rage)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2006, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swiss-ball-exercise-ball-as-seating-pro-or-con/367124/17 "2006-08-04T18:59:06Z")
> [@sinjin](#): > > You’re sitting on a gigantic bouncy ball worrying about looking professional? 😉 In my case, I’m at home, not work. So the professional thing is not an issue. ---
**Author:** ![jay-c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@jay-c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jay-c)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2006, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swiss-ball-exercise-ball-as-seating-pro-or-con/367124/18 "2006-08-04T19:02:17Z")
Dwight Schrute, is that you? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![tremorviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@tremorviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tremorviolet)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2006, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swiss-ball-exercise-ball-as-seating-pro-or-con/367124/19 "2006-08-04T22:47:09Z")
> [@sinjin](#): > > You’re sitting on a gigantic bouncy ball worrying about looking professional? 😉 That’s actually the biggest downside to sitting ont he ball for work: co-workers who come into your office and say stuff like “wow, you’re really on the ball today!” or “it looks liek y ou’re haing a ball!”. That gets really, really old fast.