Another Use for the Body Ball: Computer Chair

Well, I went to the Dr's office to speak with the pharmacy rep. that helps me get some of my medications insurance will not cover.

I was called from the waiting room and she invited me into her office. Upon entering her office, she offered me the only chair in the room and said she would be right back. While I was sitting there waiting for her return, I began to feel bad that she had to offer me her chair. I worked for corporate at one time, so I knew about office supply cut backs, but to me, this was extreme.

Lost in my own thought about the situation, she came through her office door with a big 30" body ball. The kind they use in Pilates and yoga.

Wow, I thought to myself this is serious. Now the office staff is starting to sit on body balls. What is the world coming to? I thought to myself. We proceeded with my paper work as she rolled around on her ball and typed at the computer.

I am, by nature, a very nosy person. Most of the time I can keep to myself but there are times I cannot. Me, and my big mouth, get me into trouble or I just end up feeling sheepish. So I tried just sitting there on my thoughts while this young lady sat and rolled around on this ball....

It was just too much for me. I had to know. So I just came right out and said it.

"Why are you sitting on that ball? Is the Dr. making serious cut backs on office supplies?" I said with great concern.

She just busted up laughing. I began to feel so small and a little silly. I know my cheeks and face turned that reddish pink color.

"No...I prefer to use this ball rather than the office chairs. I do this because it makes me sit up straight and I have to keep my legs and ab's flexed a lot to keep my balance. So, by using the ball, my body is actually working out all day, rather than remaining inactive by sitting in the office chair." She said with a chuckle.

"Oh you are so smart!" I said

"No wonder you are so in shape!"

I apologized for my boldness as we giggled.

She accepted and said, "Oh, its fine and you don't have to apologize. Honestly, it isn't the first time someone has asked me why I use the body ball and it's not the most embarrassing question either."

"I have been asked if I used the ball because I had bad problem hemorrhoids and why hasn't the doctor done something!" She said with a hard laugh and even turned a shade of pink as she recalled memory of the event.

I had to laugh with her on that one! Who wouldn't! That was hysterically funny and I bet the person that asked her that was way more embarrassed than I.

She said the ball was pretty comfortable after you get the hang of it.

So after my appointment with her, I went and bought me a 30" body ball to use instead of my computer chair. I had to try it!

Oh My God; she is so right. I have only been using the body ball for about a week and, already I can feel the difference.

You definitely use all your abs muscles to keep your balance and you have to keep your legs flexed most of the time. I feel that I am working both inner and outer thigh, as well as my calves; just to keep my balance.

I suffer from lower back pain and it seemed worse when I was using the desk chair. In my opinion, the body ball cushions your weight and distributes it in the right areas. It is actually comfortable and your movements are subtle.

Now, I am using the body ball to watch TV too. I feel my abs becoming stronger and my legs are beginning to tone in place I didn't know existed.

So, there is no more computer chair for me. Hopeful those who read this article will consider trying the body ball. The body ball also comes with exercises that you could do in addition to using it as your new chair.

Like with most exercises, before you begin you should speak to your doctor or trainer about using the body ball. This has not been tested to my knowledge and is just an idea that is working for me personally.