The top benefits of an ergonomic sitting ball

The benefits of an ergonomic sit ball

Sitting for long periods at a desk can be physically demanding. Fortunately, there are solutions such as the ergonomic sit ball that help you stay active and dynamic while sitting. This offers numerous benefits:

  1. Improved posture: Due to the constant movement, you have to correct your posture, which leads to better sitting posture.
  2. Increased concentration: Active sitting also keeps your brain active, improving your concentration and productivity.
  3. Healthier back: Experience less neck and back pain due to proper posture and movement.
  4. More calorie burning: Due to the movement, you burn more calories compared to sitting on a regular chair.
  5. Stronger core: Your abdominal and back muscles become stronger through the constant balancing on the sit ball.

Using an ergonomic sit ball can therefore offer significant benefits for both your physical health and your work performance. In the rest of this article, we will delve deeper into these benefits and explain exactly why a sit ball is an excellent choice for your workspace.

infographic explaining benefits of ergonomic sit ball such as improved posture, increased concentration, reduced back pain, calorie burning, and core strengthening - ergonomische zitbal voordelen infographic pillar-5-steps

 

Sit ball provides an open hip angle

One of the biggest benefits of an ergonomic sit ball is that it provides an open hip angle. But what exactly does that mean?

What is an open hip angle?

An open hip angle means that the angle between your back and your thighs is greater than 90 degrees. This is important because it helps reduce pressure on your lower back. On a regular chair, you often sit with your hips at an angle of 90 degrees or less, which can lead to discomfort and back problems.

Different sizes for different people

Sit balls are available in various sizes, usually ranging from a diameter of 45 cm to 75 cm. Choosing the right size is essential for achieving the open hip angle. Here is a handy table to help you choose the right size:

Diameter Body length
45 cm
Up to 155 cm
55 cm
155 to 165 cm
65 cm
165 to 178 cm
75 cm
178 to 195 cm
90 cm
From 195 cm

Correct height for optimal posture

To find the right height, you need to ensure that your pelvis is higher than your knees. This causes your thighs to slope slightly, contributing to the open hip angle.

ergonomic sitting posture - ergonomic sitting ball benefits

When you sit at the correct height, you prevent leaning forward, which often happens with a seat that is too low. This is crucial to maintain good posture and prevent back complaints.

Pelvis higher than knees

The importance of an open hip angle cannot be overstated. By positioning your pelvis higher than your knees, you distribute the pressure more evenly over your spine. This can help reduce the load on your intervertebral discs and decrease the chance of back pain.

In the next section, we will discuss how a sitting ball enables dynamic sitting and what the benefits are.

Sitting ball allows dynamic sitting

A sitting ball enables dynamic sitting, which simply means that you keep moving while sitting. This is a great benefit for your health and productivity.

Small pressure differences

When you sit on a sitting ball, you continuously create small pressure differences in your body. These pressure differences cause your muscles to constantly work to maintain your balance. This keeps your body active and prevents you from sitting in a static, unhealthy posture.

Nutritional mechanism

The nutritional mechanism of your body also plays a role. Through continuous movement, you stimulate blood circulation, which helps supply nutrients and oxygen to your muscles and brain. This can improve your concentration and productivity, as shown by multiple studies.

Movement

Movement is the key to a healthy work environment. The sitting ball encourages you to move and change posture. This reduces the chance of neck and back pain and keeps you more alert during your workday.

In the next section, we will go deeper into the benefits of an ergonomic sitting ball.

No back support

One of the striking features of an ergonomic sitting ball is the absence of a backrest. This may seem strange at first, especially if you are used to a traditional office chair. But there is an important idea behind it.

Stabilizing muscles

Without a backrest, your body must provide stability itself. This means that your stabilizing muscles in your back and abdomen are continuously active. This helps improve your posture and strengthen your muscles.

Scandinavian philosophy

The Scandinavian philosophy of ergonomics emphasizes the importance of movement and active postures. Traditional chairs with backrests can lead to a passive sitting position, which can be harmful in the long term. By leaving out the backrest, you are forced to move more and use your muscles.

Research

Research shows that dynamic sitting, such as on a sitting ball, can help reduce the strain on your back. A study published in the European Spine Journal found that using a sitting ball reduces pressure on the spine and increases muscle activity. This can help prevent back pain and improve your overall health.

In the next section, we will further discuss the benefits of an ergonomic sitting ball.

ergonomic sitting ball benefits

 

Good pressure distribution while sitting

One of the main ergonomic sitting ball benefits is the good pressure distribution while sitting. The sitting ball is air-filled, which means it adapts to your body. This ensures an even distribution of pressure over your sitting area.

Air-filled ball

The air in the ball ensures that you are not sitting on a hard surface. This reduces pressure points on your body and makes sitting more comfortable. Moreover, it helps maintain the natural S-shape of your spine.

Safety

The stability balls are often made of anti-burst material. This means the ball cannot just explode, even if it gets damaged. This makes it a safe option for daily use.

Instability

Although instability may sound negative, it is actually an advantage with a stability ball. The slight instability causes you to continuously make small movements to maintain your balance. This activates your stabilizing muscles, such as your core and back muscles.

A study by Gregory, Dunk & Callaghan (2006) showed that after about an hour of sitting on the stability ball, users prefer to alternate with standing work or an ergonomic office chair. This underscores the importance of dynamic sitting and regularly changing posture.

In the next section, we will further discuss the specific benefits of an ergonomic stability ball.

The top benefits of an ergonomic stability ball

 

Ergonomic stability ball benefits

Healthy sitting posture

An ergonomic stability ball helps you adopt a healthy sitting posture. Because the ball has no backrest, you get immediate feedback if you are not sitting upright. Your back and abdominal muscles have to work harder to keep you balanced. This strengthens your muscles and improves your posture.

Improved concentration

Sitting on a stability ball keeps your brain more active. Your body is constantly moving to maintain balance, which stimulates your brain. This leads to a more effective workday and better performance. You stay better focused and can maintain concentration longer.

Reduced neck and back complaints

Prolonged sitting can cause neck and back complaints. A stability ball forces you into a correct sitting posture, which reduces these complaints. Your back and neck muscles remain active, helping to prevent stiffness and pain.

Calorie burning

Sitting on a stability ball ensures that you move regularly. This keeps your body active and helps you burn calories. It is an easy way to integrate some extra movement into your day without really noticing it.

Core training

The constant movements you make to stay balanced train your core muscles. These are the muscles in your back, abdomen, and pelvis. Regular use of a stability ball strengthens these muscles, contributing to better stability and posture.

Pregnancy

For pregnant women, a sitting ball can be a solution. It helps to sit pain-free while training your pelvis at the same time. This can be especially useful during the last months of pregnancy, when traditional chairs become less comfortable.

In the next section, we discuss how to adjust your environment to make optimal use of an ergonomic sitting ball.

Environment must be adjusted

To fully benefit from the ergonomic sitting ball benefits, your workspace must be properly adjusted. Here are some important points to consider:

Limited duration

It is important to know that a sitting ball works best when its use is limited to short periods. Experts recommend not sitting on a sitting ball for more than one hour at a time. Alternate it with a regular office chair to prevent muscle overload.

Variation

Variation is crucial. Regularly alternate between your sitting ball, a regular chair, and a standing workstation. This helps relax your muscles and prevents adopting a poor posture. As Backerz points out, switching chairs ensures you maintain an active posture.

Adjustable table

An adjustable table is essential if you use a sitting ball. Because you sit higher on a sitting ball, your desk must also be adjustable to a higher position. This prevents you from leaning forward, which is bad for your back and neck. The HomeFit home workstation from Backerz is a good example of an electrically adjustable table that you can easily adapt to your sitting height.

Higher desk

When you use a sitting ball, you need to make sure your desk or computer table is higher than usual. This is necessary because your pelvis is higher than your knees, creating an open hip angle. A higher desk helps you maintain good posture without having to bend.

ergonomic sitting ball benefits

Frequently Asked Questions about ergonomic sitting ball benefits

How long can you sit on a sitting ball?

An ergonomic sitting ball is a great addition to your office chair, but you should not sit on it for more than one hour at a time. This is because your muscles can become fatigued without back support. Alternate your sitting ball with a regular office chair or standing workstation to give your body the necessary rest.

Is a sitting ball better for the back?

There is no conclusive evidence that a sitting ball is significantly better for the back than a conventional office chair. However, it can help to keep moving and create small pressure differences in the intervertebral discs. This can contribute to better blood circulation and less stiffness.

Why use a sitting ball?

A sitting ball encourages movement and allows you to move more freely than a regular chair. This helps you adopt a correct sitting posture. By constantly correcting your posture, you train your back and abdominal muscles. Moreover, you can burn calories through the active way of sitting.

In the next section, we will go deeper into how you can adjust your workspace to make optimal use of an ergonomic sitting ball.

What are the main benefits of an ergonomic sitting ball?

An ergonomic sitting ball promotes better posture, strengthens your core muscles, reduces back and neck pain, increases your concentration, and helps burn extra calories through active sitting.

How long can you sit on an ergonomic sitting ball per day?

It is recommended to use a sitting ball for a maximum of one hour at a time. For the best ergonomic results, alternate its use with an office chair or standing workstation.

Why is an open hip angle important when using a sitting ball?

An open hip angle, where your pelvis is higher than your knees, reduces pressure on your lower back and promotes a natural sitting posture. This helps prevent back pain.

Can an ergonomic sitting ball reduce back pain?

Yes, the sitting ball stimulates active muscle activity in the back and abdomen, which can help support the spine and reduce back pain, provided it is used correctly.

Is an ergonomic sitting ball suitable as a replacement for an office chair?

A sitting ball is especially effective as a variation and is not intended as a complete replacement for an office chair. Dynamic sitting should be combined with periods of rest and support for the best results.

Conclusion

At Backerz, we believe in the importance of healthy work environments. That’s why we offer a wide range of ergonomic furniture that contributes to an active and healthy posture. Our products, such as the ergonomic sitting ball, help make your workspace more comfortable and healthier.

We understand that choosing the right ergonomic solution is important. That’s why we offer a 30-day trial period. This gives you the chance to try our products and experience how they can improve your posture.

Moreover, we offer free shipping on almost all our products, so you can enjoy a healthier workplace without extra costs.

Want to learn more about our ergonomic sitting balls and other products? Discover our range and find the perfect solution for your workspace.

Together we can create a healthier and more productive work environment!

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