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We all know that sitting all day is a detriment to your overall health and wellness. Since we may not be able to always prevent the need to sit, there are alternative methods and accessories in place to help achieve better posture, reduce back pain and keep you supported when sitting for long periods of time.
Yoga ball chairs are one alternative to the average desk chair that will help you achieve all the above-mentioned benefits while keeping you and your back pain-free. In addition, replacing your average desk chair with a yoga ball chair will not only promote proper alignment but the micro-movements and constant stimulation of the body needed to stay put will also help you experience a heightened sense of focus and concentration to help get things done.
Below are some great yoga ball chairs of 2024 that are easily accessible and come in a variety of styles to fit your individual lifestyle. These balls are an easy fix for those who sit all day and/or those who want to increase their wellness while increasing productivity.
Comparing the Top Yoga Ball Chair of 2024
Gaiam Ball Chair — Best Overall
Designed with a work-life balance in mind, this balance ball chair was created to provide the all-day ergonomic support needed while sitting for long durations. This chair will help you feel better by promoting micro-movements to engage the body and mind leading to higher energy levels, as well as increased productivity and focus all while relieving the potential back pain and soreness associated with sitting all day. Designed for users between 5’1″-5’11”, this chair also fits most standard desk sizes and comes with everything you need for a proper setup.
Pros
- For users that require an extra boost, leg extenders are included and will add 2 inches of height to the chair
Cons
- The ball may need to be re-inflated after initial inflation to allow the material to stretch to its final size
WALIKI Chair Ball — Runner Up
If you don’t need a formal chair for your work area, then this yoga ball chair with feet is a great alternative. This exercise and balance ball chair includes four legs that are designed to bend while sitting and don’t offer any resistance which allows you to strengthen your core. And, when you decide to stand up, the chair ball’s feet will keep it from rolling away, helping maintain a clean and tidy office area. This ball is also available in two sizes and comes with a pump that will help you inflate and deflate to your perfect size.
Pros
- The chair ball doubles as a fun hopper ball for adults, simply turn it over, grab two legs as handles, and hop
Cons
- There is a limited color selection
Champion Sports Ball Chair — Honorable Mention
The Champion Sports Ball Chair is an innovative, healthy alternative to traditional desk chairs. The heavy-duty inflatable yoga ball helps promote proper posture while strengthening the core muscles as if you are exercising. Plus, the sturdy plastic frame features a tall, specially-shaped back to provide ergonomic support and improve spinal alignment. With the wheeled base, it’s easy to move the chair around in any home environment or classroom setting. In addition, the impact-resistant design ensures that it will hold up against everyday use, and the hand pump makes it easy to adjust the ball to the perfect level of firmness.
Pros
- Heavy-duty plastic frame and non-slip rubber ball
Cons
- Short chair height may be an issue for taller people
Aeromat Ball Chair — Most Notable
Another great way to reduce stress on the hips and back is with this deluxe ball chair. This particular chair is compact and lightweight and comes with a chair base, burst-resistant ball, and one hand pump. It is easy to assemble, is great for both office and leisure seating, and is designed to sit low which can help reduce any stress on the body. Also included are a generous seating area, two armrests, five wheels with two that lock, and a maximum weight limit of 200 pounds.
Pros
- This chair requires some easy assembling
Cons
- This chair will not fit all desks
jfit Ball Chair — Contender
With an improved ergonomic seating system, this chair will activate your core through its instability which is the opposite of most regular office chairs that essentially deactivate the core. This yoga ball chair’s instability will make it comfortable for you to sit on all day while reducing the risk of back injuries and chronic pain. Also included is a rolling base with easy-to-use locks that make this chair compatible with any office or home situation and with daily use, will help to align your spine and relieve back pain.
Pros
- This ergonomically shaped chair has a generous surface area for sitting
Cons
- Additional risers for added height can be purchased separately
Coreseat Office Chair — Also Consider
Another great way to activate your core and prevent back pain from sitting all day is by using one of these specially designed chairs that provide ergonomic support for stronger, healthier back and active muscles. Also known as active sitting, this chair will help improve your posture and spinal alignment while providing a powerful core-strengthening workout. This chair is fully adjustable and lets you pick the height and preferred yoga ball firmness to fit your comfort preferences and allows you the freedom to move around the office like any regular office chair.
Pros
- A free stylish seat cover is included and comes in a wide color range if you would like to purchase more
Cons
- As with any yoga ball, it will need to be reinflated on a regular basis
Buying Guide to Finding Yoga Ball Chairs
Yoga ball chairs play an imperative role in easing the pressure on your back and maintaining your spine health to its optimal level. They can be used both at workplaces or in homes, as per your requirements. But with so many options in hand, choosing the best product can be pretty cumbersome and challenging. Besides, you cannot simply settle down with any random product to avoid the hassles as it will put your health at risk. Therefore, we have crafted a complete buying guide in the below section so that you can have the best pick and enjoy your investment to the fullest.
In What Ways Can a Yoga Ball Chair Help You Compared to Regular Chairs?
There are considerable differences between yoga ball chairs and regular office chairs. In the below section, we have listed some of the significant points explaining why a yoga ball chair is superior to the standard furniture units.
A yoga ball chair will help ease pressure on your lumbar region of the spine and hip bone that a standard chair can't.
In a yoga ball chair, the back supports are not too long, but you will find the back having an extended height in standard furniture.
Not all yoga ball chairs come with armrests or adjustable height. On the contrary, these two features are always included in the regular office chairs.
How Can You Choose the Right Yoga Ball Chair for Yourself?
Ball’s size and shape
The ball size will play a crucial role in supporting your body and maintaining spinal alignment. In some products, the ball needs to be inflated entirely till it reaches the maximum size, while for others, you have to inflate half the way, sit on it, and then pump air to attain the full size. The balls usually have a diameter of 40 to 60 centimeters, depending on your chosen product. If your height is more, like 5.5 feet to 6 feet, go for a product with the giant ball so that you can sit comfortably without straining your hands and neck. Similarly, if your height is less than 5.5 feet, it’s better to choose a smaller ball.
Ergonomic back support
Most yoga ball chairs are reinforced with additional back support so that you can sit comfortably, rest your back and put all your concentration on getting the work done on time. Some products have a straight back that will support the thoracic and cervical region of the spine, while others are slightly curved at the base to maintain the alignment. This way, you won't have to deal with spine aches and stiffness in the bones, even after sitting in the same position for hours.
Rollers
To ensure that you can move around your workspace without having to get up from your chair every time you need to fetch a file or listen to what your coworker is saying, most yoga ball chairs are reinforced with roller wheels. These are pretty sturdy and help you smoothly glide on the floor surface, provided the surface is smooth.
Adjustable height
Some yoga ball chairs are reinforced with a lever, using which you can adjust their height as per your convenience. For example, if the product has a low-sitting design and your workspace is relatively high from the ground, you can use the lever to increase the chair's height. This way, you can work efficiently without straining your neck or hands. Besides, many people of different heights can use an adjustable chair without any hassle.
Ball support
Yoga chairs are usually designed to support the ball and keep it in place. Therefore, you won't have to worry about falling off the seat while sitting on it due to the sudden displacement of the ball. For example, you can find a few products having a bowl-shaped base on which the yoga ball sits perfectly and won't displace from its position. On the contrary, in chairs with a flat base, a guard will keep the ball in place.
Auto-lock
In a few yoga ball chairs, a few roller wheels have an auto-lock feature. This will help stabilize the furniture and make sure it doesn't move from the initial position when you are standing up. In addition, the locks will stop the rollers from gliding along the floor surface when no pressure is applied to the ball.
Armrests
There are a few yoga ball chairs reinforced with armrests so that you can comfortably complete your work without having to endure aches and muscle strains in your arms. However, it's better to go for a product having an adjustable armrest so that you can change its height in such a way that your arms and shoulders are at the same level as that of the workstation. Besides, if your arms are in pain due to working for a long time, you can rest them on the sides and take a few minutes of break.
Flexibility
In a few yoga ball chairs, the feet are flexible. Once you sit on the ball, it will spread out quickly without snapping or breaking off. This will help the furniture support your body weight and maintain stability.
How Much Does a Yoga Ball Chair Cost on Average?
The price of yoga ball chairs varies within a range of $66.39 to $112.65, depending on the chosen product's features. For example, a bowl-shaped chair base with an armrest and neck support will cost more than furniture with a flat base, with or without armrests. Also, if your chosen chair has roller wheels, its price will be higher than those with static legs.
What Mistakes Should You Avoid While Choosing a Yoga Ball Chair?
Despite carefully considering all the factors affecting your decision, you might make some mistakes while choosing the yoga ball chair. For example:
- If you do not consider the weight capacity of the yoga ball, it might burst due to excessive body weight.
- Choosing a yoga ball chair whose height is not compatible with your stature or the workstation’s height from the ground might cause you to strain your neck a lot.
- If you have to work for a long time while sitting in the same position, do not choose a chair with no backrest.
