Health and Safety Should You Use an Exercise Ball as a Chair? By Wendy Bumgardner facebook twitter Wendy Bumgardner is a freelance writer covering walking and other health and fitness topics and has competed in more than 1,000 walking events. Learn about our editorial process Wendy Bumgardner Reviewed by Reviewed by Mia Syn, MS, RDN on October 29, 2020 instagram Mia Syn, MS, RDN is a registered dietitian nutritionist with a master of science in human nutrition. She is also the host of Good Food Friday on ABC News 4. Learn about our Review Board Mia Syn, MS, RDN on October 29, 2020 Print Darren Robb/Stockbyte/Getty Images Multiple studies confirm the negative effects of too much sitting, from slowing down your metabolism to increasing your risk of diabetes. Besides counteracting that by getting up frequently and walking, some people swap an exercise ball—also called a yoga ball or stability ball—in place of their regular desk chair to achieve "active sitting." Rather than the slumping and poor posture you can develop even in ergonomic desk chairs, the theory is that using an exercise ball—which is inherently unstable—like a desk chair forces your body to constantly make small adjustments in your core and lower body, resulting in abdominal strength and better posture. Researchers agree that sitting for long periods of time isn't healthy. But as far as the effectiveness of an exercise ball as a desk chair, the results are more mixed. Possible Benefits of an Exercise Ball Chair A 2012 study found that office workers who used an exercise ball perceived improved posture, more energy, and better overall balance. Researchers in a 2017 study actually monitored how bodies physically reacted over a 10-minute sitting period and concluded that while there wasn't any core engagement, sitting on a stability ball activated lower body muscles. Many proponents also believe sitting on a ball encourages exercise. Once you have the ball handy, it's easy to just roll back from the desk and do a few ab crunches. As opposed to having a workout mat in your office, an exercise ball can support your hips and keep your hair in place for when you have to get back to work. Exercise and Stay Fit Right at Your Office Desk Drawbacks of an Exercise Ball Chair Some studies have found little to no connection between using an exercise ball in the workplace and the purported benefits. In fact, some of the research shows the potential for injury. No core activation: Studies are split on the theory that sitting on an exercise ball increases core strength. While one analysis found that this form of active sitting engages the core muscles, others found no difference in how the core is used between an exercise ball and a regular desk chair.Insignificant calorie burn: If there's any energy expenditure when sitting on an exercise ball, it's fractional and not enough to reduce the health risks of sitting too long, according to a 2015 study.Increased pain: Sitting for prolonged periods can lead to back pain, but using a stability ball may have a similar effect. One study found almost half of those who used the ball reported some pain when using it. Takeaway If you experience any pain when using an exercise ball as a chair, discuss it with your medical provider and consider discontinuing use. Precautions If you decide to use an exercise ball at your desk, keep these factors in mind to get the most out of your new chair and ensure safety. Consider the Size Your ball's height, angle, and inflation level all make a difference. Your thighs should slope downwards slightly rather than be at 90 degrees, but the ball shouldn't be so tall that you end up balancing your wrists on the keyboard. How to Find the Right Size Exercise Ball Create a Safe Space Particularly during initial use—and if you have the freedom to customize your work station—it may be helpful to place your ball in front of a wall to catch you if you roll. An exercise mat underneath your ball can provide cushion and support for the same reason. Add Time Gradually When starting out using a ball, you can begin with a half-hour or less and build up your time each day to see how you tolerate it. You may want to alternate between an ergonomic desk chair, a ball chair, and other forms of active workstations. In addition to ball chairs with frames, wheels, and lumbar support, there are other alternatives, like a treadmill desk or a Deskcycle, that can increase activity. A Word From Verywell Despite its popularity among physical therapists, kinesiotherapists, and personal trainers, research studies haven't solidified the benefits of using an exercise ball as a chair. If you're considering alternatives, you might want to investigate other options like sit-stand desks and balance chairs. If you have back pain or other musculoskeletal disorders, use caution when changing chairs for hours of sitting. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Get exercise tips to make your workouts less work and more fun. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Schult TM, Awosika ER, Schmunk SK, Hodgson MJ, Heymach BL, Parker CD. Sitting on stability balls: biomechanics evaluation in a workplace setting. J Occup Environ Hyg. 2013;10(2):55–63. doi:10.1080/15459624.2012.748324 Dickin DC, Surowiec RK, Wang H. Energy expenditure and muscular activation patterns through active sitting on compliant surfaces. J Sport Health Sci. 2017;6(2):207-212. doi:10.1016/j.jshs.2015.10.004 Wang H, Weiss K, Haggerty M, Heath J. The effect of active sitting on trunk motion. J Sport Health Sci. 2014;3(4):333-337. doi:10.1016/j.jshs.2013.09.006 Lowe BD, Swanson NG, Hudock SD, Lotz WG. Unstable sitting in the workplace—are there physical activity benefits?. Am J Health Promot. 2015;29(4):207-209. doi:10.4278/ajhp.140331-cit-127 Additional Reading Mörl F, Bradl I. Lumbar posture and muscular activity while sitting during office work. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2013;23(2):362-368. doi:10.1016/j.jelekin.2012.10.002