Sitting on an exercise ball in the office... does it really work?

I have a job that sometimes sits me at the desk all day. I got one of those big exercise balls to sit on and am now busy rolling around on it all day long. Anyone know if this really works or will contribute at all to my calorie burning? I can't seem to find all that much information on it. I am hoping it will at least help tone my abs.

Thanks!

dont know anything personally, but according to

this article

you may burn up to 350 calories a day.

I never even thought to replace my computer chair with the exercise ball! Duh! I'm gonna try it! It'd be the most use that thing's gotten in a while. haha

i have heard that it helps to tone your abs because it forces you to keep them tense in order to stay balanced.

Yep I agree, it helps. My friend has one at her office desk & her abs are hard. I think it will also strengthen your core & improve balance!

Awesome! I think I'll have to try it. The therapists will be wondering where it went though. Maybe i'll have to use my own...

How do you manage to sit on one of those things at work & not be totally laughed at?  Wow, I wish it would actually look professional - then I might try it!  :)

poohb,

My concern exactly. i am the GM of a hotel and have to see people in my office all day long. Somehow, I don't think I can pull it off.

I'm gonna try it. I telecommute, and so I can get away with looking silly, especially if I fall off the ball sometime!

I have the best job for this. The YMCA where I work actually replaced some of our chairs with the balls. More than anything else I think it's fun! If you get frustrated just bounce up and down a few times and you can't help but laugh!!!

my company encourages us to use the ball to sit on.  We rotate several through our team during the day.  No longer than 1 hour - or you'll feel it the next day.  I'm an accountant for Big Oil.

I like to use one at my desk if my back is bothering me. If I am on the puter all day I tend to slump over and that helps me to sit us. Also, as I work at a YMCA I just go across the hall and grab one. Otherwise I don't know how open all businesses would be.

So, this begs the question, what simple, brainless exercises can I do while sitting on the ball and typing at my computer?

I host pinochle tournaments on line. I can't get alot of excercise because of diabilities. However, I do bounce for an average of 30 minutes for a tournament at lest 2x a week. My weight loss has started to pick up again and I feel better getting some kind of work out.

If you're willing to invest the money they actually make full chairs with a ball. It's a little easier if you're at work and have to roll around more to reach things. Check it out!

http://www.gaiam.com/retail/product/95-1004?C MP=KNC-booyah&atlas=true&gcid=S18376x 001&keyword=ball%20chair

I use it at home 100% of the time I am on the computer, and as a retired person, it is a LOT of time that I have available.

I noted one in use in admin office at local health complex. I smiled and understood.

I find the variable positions for stretching whilst sitting to be wonderful.

Time for everyone to get on the ball!!!!!!!!

Just read an article that said that using a fit disc on your office chair will give you the same benefits as a theraball (it also doesn't look as funny). I've been using my theraball all afternoon, but my arms are killing me because my desk is too high. I think I'll try the fit disc.

Am I the only one who doesn't have a clue about a "fit disc"???? I will Goggle it, but will also look forward to some clarification.

Thanks........

I work in a prison and my co-workers that work in the Records Department all have one.  They seem to love them!  I would like to have one in my office, but my office is right on the unit with the inmates.  So, that wouldn't be allowed. 

a fit disc is a small inflatable vinal (? Same material as a theraball) disc that is about the size of a frizbee. It is used for the same exercises as the theraball, although on an easier level.

So in regards to the being laughed at question... at first people laughed at me. I warned my coworkers ahead of time that I would be changing to an exercise ball in order to stem the jokes, and it worked somewhat. They still snickered a little on day one, but quickly got used to it and now no one even looks askance at me after a week or so. Oh, and thanks everyone for all the tips and good articles, now I can bounce on my exercise ball and dream of a strong core someday.