Gaiam Balance Ball

Why Balls Are Good for You .. That's Balance Balls Silly!

I have worked in Manhattan for a while, and recently, I started to notice this strange phenomenon where some  executives started sitting on a gym ball, instead of using their regular chairs. So after almost dying of hysterical laughter for a few minutes, I googled it, and saw the light. It turns out it's good for you.

Whether you spend your desk time at the office,  or studying at home for that next exam, office ball chairs can help you in many ways. Here are some of the benefits of using an exercise ball as your chair.

1. Forces proper spine alignment. Because an exercise ball is not stable, your body needs to try to balance itself on  it. When you have proper spinal posture, it allows you to balance yourself. It's almost automatic that your body will align itself to get into proper posture. This helps improve your spinal health, and decrease back pains.

2. Causes you to frequently change positions. An exercise ball causes to you to change your position often to balance.  Doing simple things such as turning to face the phone, will result in your body assuming anew position. The more you shift, the less damage your body incurs due to prolonged sitting in same pose.

3. Fitness is at your fingertips. One of the best advantage of already sitting on a gym ball is that you can always do quick stretches or workouts without even getting up. Anytime you get bored, just do a quickie exercise. Since its convenient, you will find yourself doing it more frequently, which will work wonders for your health.

4. Improves your balance. This is expected. Sitting on an unstable surface all day will improve your  sense of balance, as well as the reactions of your muscles. You can feel results right away in terms of having a much better overall sense of balance as you move around.

5. You get that 6-pack abs. As you balance yourself while you are sitting on the ball, your abdominal muscles are the ones working the hardest to maintain your balance. Thus, you are essentially getting a low-key abdominal workout. This might not sound like a big deal but when you count the hours you spend sitting at your desk or in front of the compute, the numbers start to count. Those hours can build up, and result  in a strengthening of ab muscles.

6. It's improves for your circulation. Sitting on an exercise ball promotes good blood flow throughout your body for the whole day. A desk chair on the other hand, reduces circulation to some parts of the body after prolonged use.

7. Gives you that energy boost. It has been proven that staying in one position, will make you more tired, while moving  around and being active with give you more energy. Using an exercise ball as a chair is a good way to ensure that you will be energized by the end of your
working day.

8. Burns up hundreds of calories per day. The more you move, the more calories you burn. Burning 350 calories per day allows you to lose

one pound of fat every two weeks. You may not burn quite 350, but nonetheless, it will help you stay fit.

9. It's really affordable. These exercise balls, or balance ball chairs will cost you from $10 for the ball to $80 for the ball and the chair that holds it. Much cheaper than  buying an ergonomic chair, which can range anywhere from $100 to $400 and up.

10. The most important benefit of all, it is fun! Everyone is a kid at heart when you think about it, so look at it as feeding your inner child as you bounce around all day. Exercise balls are an  exciting alternative to chairs, and may just give that spark of fun to your day.

About the Author

Ashley works in technology at an investment banking firm. She enjoys the technology but has started looking into internet marketing on the side, setting up a varied collection of sites such as providing info on finding a good balance ball chair and tips on how to look for an ergonomic desk chair

Gaiam International Total Body Balance Ball Kit (65 Cm) - Green $24.99 Premium Balanceball; resistance workout band; 2 workout DVDs; blaster pump

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Gaiam Yoga Ball Beginners Kit - Purple $24.99 This workout kit features a contouring yoga ball for support to allow you to expand your range of motion and open up your posture. The included DVD provides a 30-minute workout.

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Royal Peacock Gaiam Gaiam Yoga Mat by CafePress $30 This custom henna tattoo yoga mat inspires beauty and calm upon its beholder at least our staff thinks so. Let CafePress decorate this Gaiam Yoga Mat by hand just for you. Make it yours. Gaiam Gaiam Yoga Mat Gaiam Yoga mat Measures 68 x 24

Om Symbol Gaiam Gaiam Yoga Mat by CafePress $30 This mandala OM yoga mat design should help you find peace at your center. Let CafePress decorate this Gaiam Yoga Mat by hand just for you. Make it yours today. Gaiam Gaiam Yoga Mat Gaiam Yoga mat Measures 68 x 24

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Balance Ball for Weight Loss - $12.99 Veteran fitness instructor Suzanne Deason is your host for this exercise video which embraces a two-pronged attack to burn calories and strengthen the body. Balance Ball for Weight Loss incorporates Pilates-inspired moves to tone the large muscle groups, with the use of the Balance Ball helping to increase the impact, boosting the workout's fat-burning impact. The exercise routine can also be adjusted for various levels of ability, and used regularly, it can help to boost the body metabolism to help reduce weight and keep it off. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Balance Ball: Beginners Workout - $12.99 This workout video is an introduction to exercising with the Balance Ball. Designed for beginners yet suitable for all fitness levels, this program helps build muscles and improve posture, flexibility, and body awareness. Hosted by Yoga and Pilates expert Suzanne Deason, the workout is easy to follow and engages the entire body. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi

Balance Platform Ball: SP $22.32 Test your balance. Stand on the plastic platform and bounce up and down like on a pogo stick.

Balance Platform Ball $30.52 Test your balance. Stand on the plastic platform and bounce up and down like on a pogo stick.

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Exercise Balance Ball Chair $127.78 Strengthen your back and improve your posture. Ergonomic seating system combines the core strengthening benefits of the stability ball and the convenience of a rolling base. Promotes active sitting while strengthening the back. Use with or without the back support. Includes 50 cm ball and air pump. Assembly required. Gray. 22" L x 22" W x 31" H. 16 lbs.

Ball Dynamics BOKBALANCE The Great Balance and Stability Handbook $25.16 A series of balance exercises using a wobble board balance cushion BOSU ball and the Extreme Balance Board. The exercises range in complexity from those suited to the average person up to the athlete. Balance is a key factor in succeeding at any sport. Learn how to exercise using a wobble board balance cushion BOSU ball or balance board to improve balance stability core upper body and lower body muscles in a challenging and fun way. Authors: Andre Noel Potvin Chad Benson. Brand: Ball Dynamics. Category: Book. Features 64 pages. Color diagrams of muscle anatomy stepbystep instructions and safety tips. Includes beginning intermediate and advanced level exercises.

American Educational YTC019 Balance Ball $64.35 The heavy duty balance ball is 30amp;quot;W x 20amp;quot;H inflated. Designed to develop coordination skills as the child balances on the ball. Multicolored nylon cover assures durability and stability of child. Suitable for indoor and outdoor use. Easily inflated with a standard air compressor (not included). American Educational Products have a lead ship time of 21 days.

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Gaiam Thirsty Yoga Towel - Blue $24.99 This Gaiam Thirsty 05-54219 yoga towel can be used with your yoga mat to prevent slipping. The super-absorbent material is ideal for hot yoga.

Gaiam Yoga Block - Forest Green $9.99 This Gaiam 05-57824 yoga block elevates your yoga routine with durable foam construction to withstand repeated use and a nonstick surface to support pose transitions.

Meaning of Namaste Health Gaiam Yoga Mat by CafePress $30 My students often ask what Namaste means. Here is the interpretation in a subtly beautiful design. Health Gaiam Yoga Mat Gaiam Yoga mat Measures 68 x 24

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