The problem with online business, is all that sitting can cause back strain! Is this the solution?

I sit in front of my computer an awful lot. I'm sure many here do the same!

And all that sitting not only doesn't help you get fit at all, but it can also be a strain on your back....

So, I thought, I'd look around for one of those ergonomic chairs. I was even thinking of getting one of those "kneel sit" chairs that are meant to be good for your back...

Then I saw a program on TV. A lady was talking about how good a Swiss ball (also known as an exercise ball) is for exercising with! I thought to myself - Self, you have to get one of those Swiss balls!

To cut to the chase, I ended up buying one at K-Mart. Somewhere along the line, I had read that Swiss balls can even make good ergonomic chairs!

Apparently, if you use the ball as a chair, you are constantly adjusting your muscles to keep balancing on the ball. This means you are working your leg, abdominal, and back muscles - even while you're just sitting there.

Unlike a normal chair, where you end up slouching after a short time, with the Swiss ball you're constantly "working out" - even though they are simple muscle micro-adjustments. Everything is sub-conscious - you're not even fully aware of it while you're sitting down.

However, when you stand up - then you feel the effect! I sat down on my Swiss ball for part of the day yesterday... When I stood up, it FELT like I just had a workout!

I'm going to try it more (I've only had my Swiss ball for just over a day now). It seems like a good idea - keep exercising while you work on your computer.

Also, Swiss balls are quite a lot cheaper than ergonomic chairs. You can afford to buy several of them if you wanted to.

Has anyone else tried this, or do you know of others who have tried this?

I'll keep at it, and report on the effect of using a Swiss ball as a chair after I've tried it a little while longer... :)

- Dien Rice


Here's an article, about sitting on a Swiss ball while working/studying...

The swiss ball looks like fun - but aren't you slouching your back while sitting on the ball?

Will be too hard to sit on a seat without backrest for a long time - you wont sit erect.

Even the girl in the photo is slouched back...

Hi Dien,

I use one of those (and am using one right now as I type this) - I've been using it for about 6 months now and I reckon that they are great!

I also checked with my local Chiropractor and he recommended this over and above a normal chair.

Regards,
Adam

> I sit in front of my computer an awful lot.
> I'm sure many here do the same!

> And all that sitting not only doesn't help
> you get fit at all, but it can also be a
> strain on your back....

> So, I thought, I'd look around for one of
> those ergonomic chairs. I was even thinking
> of getting one of those "kneel
> sit" chairs that are meant to be good
> for your back...

> Then I saw a program on TV. A lady was
> talking about how good a Swiss ball (also
> known as an exercise ball) is for exercising
> with! I thought to myself - Self, you have
> to get one of those Swiss balls!

> To cut to the chase, I ended up buying one
> at K-Mart. Somewhere along the line, I had
> read that Swiss balls can even make good
> ergonomic chairs!

> Apparently, if you use the ball as a chair,
> you are constantly adjusting your muscles to
> keep balancing on the ball. This means you
> are working your leg, abdominal, and back
> muscles - even while you're just sitting
> there.

> Unlike a normal chair, where you end up
> slouching after a short time, with the Swiss
> ball you're constantly "working
> out" - even though they are simple
> muscle micro-adjustments. Everything is
> sub-conscious - you're not even fully aware
> of it while you're sitting down.

> However, when you stand up - then you feel
> the effect! I sat down on my Swiss ball for
> part of the day yesterday... When I stood
> up, it FELT like I just had a workout!

> I'm going to try it more (I've only had my
> Swiss ball for just over a day now). It
> seems like a good idea - keep exercising
> while you work on your computer.

> Also, Swiss balls are quite a lot cheaper
> than ergonomic chairs. You can afford to buy
> several of them if you wanted to.
> Has anyone else tried this, or do you know
> of others who have tried this?

> I'll keep at it, and report on the effect of
> using a Swiss ball as a chair after I've
> tried it a little while longer... :)

> - Dien Rice

> So, I thought, I'd look around for one of
> those ergonomic chairs. I was even thinking
> of getting one of those "kneel
> sit" chairs that are meant to be good
> for your back...

Dien, I've tried those kneel sit chairs and never found them very comfortable. And have fun with the swiss ball. I never heard of using them as chairs before. Great (and potentially very tiring) idea!

Erik

Dien,

I raised all my working surfaces to a height of 38 inches so that I could stand (not sit) while working 4 to 6 hours per day at my computers.

You would not believe how beneficial this is for your body and mind! Do this and you will see that your energy level will double. In addition, because standing burns at least double the calories as sitting, it's a fabulous way to keep your weight down.

I have to admit that I am a fitness addict. But anyone who tries this will find that it is physically and mentally transforming.

Robert Campbell

Hi Robert,

How did you first decide to test out a standing desk? Did you have someone recommend it to you?

I might just have to give that a try.

Standing, but slightly awkwardly in front of a computer on a 29 inch desk,

Erik Lukas

I saw it on a DOD documentary. He works 10-12 hours a day and he's what, 70 years old? Amazing!

Tim

Hi Erik,

When I talk on the telephone in my office, I like to stand because my energy level (and the passion in my words) seems to ratchet up considerably.

You should do this, for example, when you record your telephone voice-mail message.

Maybe it's just a personal thing, but I get my best ideas when I am standing vs. sitting. And I get my very best ideas when I am running four miles in the soft sand on the beach in San Diego.

I don't use desks. I use tables (38 inches deep x 66 inches wide) and I elevate these work surfaces with with concrete blocks that are 8 inches in height.

Nice hearing from you again, Erik. By the way, I use to be a hot-rodder in my youth ... just like you. I owned a 1967 Camaro with a 396 engine (375 HP or so). Those were the days of the "muscle cars" as they used to call them. I also owned a 1967 Mustang with a Hi-Performance 289 engine. Two four-barrel carbs, cam with solid lifters, 411 axle, etc, etc. 375 HP. It was a real street racer. Oh the memories of youth!

Best wishes,

Robert Campbell

Hi Robert,

Thanks for sharing your usage of a "standing desk". I had never heard of that - but it sounds like a good idea to me!

I agree with you about energy levels... I seem to have more energy when I'm standing too. If I really have to think about something, I stand up and pace around... Just can't do it as effectively sitting down. I don't know why!

I'd have to do a bit of transforming to get my setup to be friendly to standing, but wow, what a great idea! It's certainly something I'll be looking into.... I might try to rig up something temporarily, just so I can get a "feel" for it. :)

- Dien

I currently use two computers - I have a desktop and a laptop. I've set things up so I've got the Swiss ball situated in front of my laptop, and my normal office chair with my desktop. So, whenever I use my laptop computer, I'm trying out the Swiss ball.

I do feel like you get a bit of a workout while you're sitting on the Swiss ball.... It seems all subconscious. You don't feel it while you're sitting down, but when you stand up, you feel like your muscles have been working!

I have no doubt it's strengthening my leg, back, and abdominal muscles - all while I'm just sitting down. Given my lack of sufficient exercise, I'm sure that must be a good thing. ;)

Thanks for sharing Adam!

- Dien