Best Yoga Ball Chair – Stay Fit & Healthy at Work with our Yoga Ball Chair Review Guide

Working out is important but time-consuming. I work so much I have found that I do not have a lot of time left to go to the gym.

Maintaining my health is important to me so I have begun researching different alternatives to improve my health and possibly get a small workout routine I can accomplish in what little time I have.

I spend a great deal of time at my desk and a friend suggested switching my office chair with a yoga ball chair. Here is a look at my finding on the best ball chair choices on the market.

If you are in a hurry, here are my top5.​ Otherwise, I have collected some more info for you below so you can make an educated decision.

• Milliard OfficeFit Backless Fitness Ball Chair 
• Safco Products Zenergy Ball Chair, Black, Low Profile, Active Seating 
• Sivan Health and Fitness Balance Ball Fit Chair Base with Ball and Pump 
• Abilitations Six-Leg Ball Chair - 26 inches - Green 
• Isokinetics Inc. Brand Adjustable Fitness Ball Chair - Solid Black Metal Frame... 

**Below, you'll find our hand-tested reviews, but you can also click the links above to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon.

What is a Yoga Ball?​

A yoga ball is a rather large ball made of a soft elastic. It comes in various diameters usually between 14-34 inches. The amount of air in the ball will determine the type of workout you will achieve.

A firm ball will provide more stability for some exercises and less for others. The yoga ball has been known to be used for physical therapy, pilates training, dance strengthening, yoga, and athletic training.​

What is a Yoga Ball Chair?​

A yoga ball chair is a yoga ball placed in a platform with a backrest and in some cases casters to form a chair for people who sit for long periods of time. A yoga ball chair can provide physical relief from the stiffness created from an average office chair.

The back support on a yoga ball chair is ergonomic to support your lower back. It provides the user with a fitness routine without really doing anything other than supporting your own body weight.​

The Clear Benefits of Using a Yoga Ball Chair​

The yoga ball, in general, provides a major function for your overall health, it engages every muscle in a low-impact workout without you feeling like you are working hard. I found in my research a yoga ball chair is great for developing:​

Sitting on a yoga ball chair requires every muscle to be engaged to provide you with the balance and support you need to stay on the ball safely and securely.

It forces you to sit up straight thus improving your posture, back muscles, and elongating your spinal cord to promote overall spinal health.

Sitting on a yoga ball chair promotes constant movement. This need to shift is a great opportunity to add stretches into a daily workout, engage your muscles in a mini workout routine on the chair to give yourself a daily low pack workout you can enjoy without all the sweating and heavy breathing.

Surprisingly, the more you use the chair the more you will begin to feel energized. Your blood circulation will increase and you will find that you are not feeling nearly as tired as you normally do in your traditional desk chair.

The bonus feature I found was you can burn calories by simply sitting on the chair.​

How is the Yoga Ball Chair Used?​

Using a yoga ball chair will take some practice. The more you use it, however, the easier it will get. Doctors only recommend using a yoga ball chair in 20-30-minute intervals in the beginning.

You do not want to develop muscle fatigue from over usage. As you get more comfortable with the chair, you may increase the usage time as you see fit.​

To use the ball chair properly, sit up straight with your feet in front of you. You want thighs to be parallel to the ball and your knees and feet to be at a 90º angle from each other.

Some experts say you can place your calves against the ball in the beginning stages to provide a little extra stability, however, you want to work up to not allowing your calves to rest or touch the ball at all.​

Choosing the Best Ball Chair for You​

Choosing the best yoga ball chair for your office will be based on the height of your desk, your height, and weight. You want to first measure the office chair you are currently using. The proper diameter will be 4 inches (10.2 cm) taller than your chair.

Next, you want to take your height and weight into account. If you are below 5’3″ and are an average weight, you want a 55 cm ball. If you are, however, anywhere between 5’3″ and 6′, you will benefit better from a 65 cm ball.

Yet still, if you are above 6′ you will be better suited for a 75 cm diameter ball.​

Offices are filled with yoga ball hazards that can puncture or burst your ball. You must provide precautions for the life of your ball chair.

You can and should purchase a burst-resistant ball. These balls are made of an elastic with an extra layer between the inside and outside layers of the ball to protect it from sharp objects.​

The Controversy Behind the Use of a Yoga Ball Chair​

There appears to be a small controversy surrounding the use of a yoga ball chair. There are people who love using the chair and others who do not. Here are just a few raves and complaints about the yoga ball chair.​

​Enjoy More Energy

​People who love the yoga ball chair report they feel more energetic and find themselves up on their feet more often than they did in their traditional office chair.

​Research has shown that sitting in one position for long periods of time will decrease your energy level. Sitting on a yoga ball chair lends itself to a lot of movement.

​You are required to adjust your positions quite often. There is constant movement on a yoga ball and that constant movement keeps your energy level up.

​Calorie Burner

​No matter the amount of movement a person may distribute, all motion gives the benefit of calorie burning.

​The constant movement on the ball and the burst of energy you may get from the ball provides a uniquely simple opportunity to burn off calories without even trying.

​Research performed by the University of Buffalo showed you can burn 6% more calories by sitting on a yoga ball chair than in a regular office chair.

​Pain in the Deriaire

​People who use yoga ball chairs complain of experiencing pain in their backside.

​It appears part of the problem is their ball is not inflated enough, however, sitting on the ball also engages your butt muscles in a way that keeps them working.

​I would imagine this could be a good thing because it means your behind muscles are also engaged and working towards becoming firm and tone.

​Pain in the Back

​Medical researchers have reported there is no true benefit to using a yoga ball chair for your back. In fact, some experts have reported people slumming just as much on a yoga ball chair as they do in a regular chair causing back pain.

Muscle Fatigue and Bad Posture

​Some people also experience muscle fatigue and then revert back to poor posture habits. This can be remedied by taking periodic breaks from the ball to standing, walking, or sitting in a normal chair.

Yoga Ball Chair Reviews - The Best of the Best

Ok, let's look at some of the best yoga ball chairs I could find.

The Millard OfficeFit Backless Fitness Ball Chair is a sturdy alternative to the normal office chair.

This is a 20-inch burst-resistant ball that comes with an air pump and rolling base with locking casters. The base also comes with two metal rails to keep the ball securely in place.

The Zenergy Ball Chair is a chic looking yoga ball chair on stationery legs for support. This chair has a 17 1/2 inch anti-burst ball with a mesh fabric cover for a new stylish look.

The Sivan Health and Fitness Balance Ball Fit Chair is set on a base with four casters, two of which can be locked. It comes with its own pump and you can order an height extender if you find it is not tall enough.

Abilitations Six-Leg Ball Chair

This chair was created for children with special needs, however, it works great for the average size adult to use at their desk. It comes with six legs for extra added stability. It measures 65 cm in diameter.

The Isokinetics Inc. Exercise Ball Chair comes with an adjustable backrest for greater lower back support. It also comes with 60mm wheels.

These wheels are significantlylarger than the traditional 50mm wheels found on other yoga ball chairs. The larger wheels will give you a smoother rolling experience.

Sitting at a desk for long periods of time can be exhausting on my mind and body. Traditional desk chairs do not provide the type of movement and workout a yoga ball chair can provide you while you get your work done.

Having the ability to workout without running to the gym in a low impact way can be empowering and freeing. With the best exercise ball chair for your height and weight, you will find as I have, your body will begin to look different and feel healthier.