5 Surprising Benefits of Working on a Balance Ball at Your Desk
The concept of working on a balance ball instead of a chair at your desk isn’t a new one. In fact, it wasn’t long after those inflatable exercise tools first became popular that many people started subbing them in at their desks.
That said, for many, working on a balance ball wasn’t much more than a fad. This is likely because they didn’t actually realize how many benefits they were actually receiving from using the ball in this way.
There are a surprising number of benefits to working on a balance ball instead of a desk chair. Consider the following before you head to your office at work or home to use one of the most effective products you can buy:
1. You automatically align your spine
Though you may be prone to slouching or leaning forward when you’re sitting in a desk chair, this isn’t the case on a balance ball. When you’re sitting on one, you will naturally sit with your spine aligned because it’s easiest to keep your balance when you have perfect posture. This can help to reduce back pain and improve your spinal health.
2. You will be less sedentary
Due to the nature of the balance ball, you will be required to continually shift your balance. This helps to decrease the risk of damaging your spine and joints from otherwise having had to remain seated in the same position for a long period of time.
3. You will improve your overall balance
Since the entire purpose of sitting on a balance ball is to, in fact, practice balance, the more you practice by sitting on it, the better your balance will be. This is an important result as it can help you to exercise more effectively and avoid falls and injuries.
4. You’ll access your core muscles regularly
As your body continually makes micro-adjustments to keep your balance on the ball, you’ll regularly access your abdominal muscles. Over time, this can help to keep them toned. The more toned your muscles are, the better your figure and the more fat and calories your body will burn even when you’re idle. Not bad for simply sitting at your desk!
5. You’ll have more energy
Staying in one position is a fast way to make you feel very fatigued. That said, when you’re continually moving around, even if it’s just through little shifts in your body, you’ll help yourself to stay more alert. This can help you to feel more motivated and be more productive.
