Yoga ball chairs are becoming popular in offices and homes as a replacement for ordinary office chairs. Unlike the ordinary chair, yoga ball chairs offer a lot of benefits, such as better posture, stronger core, and good spine alignment. But how do you find the best yoga ball chair out there?
In this article, we’ll try to help you choose the perfect yoga ball chair for your needs. We’ll offer a buyer’s guide and recommend our top choices. Let’s get started!
Quick Answer:
Here are our top three picks for the best yoga ball chair of 2019.
With bigger wheels and an extra thick ball, the LuxFit Ball Chair is our favorite. LuxFit is designed to promote better back and spine health. It comes with a 2-year warranty, which means you can get free parts and labor within two years after purchase.
2. Isokinetics Adjustable Metal Ball Chair
Now, if color matters in your selection, Isokinetics is a great option. This fitness ball chair is available in 10 colors and two frame finishes. Just like LuxFit, Isokinetics has a 52-cm ball, large 60-mm wheels, and an adjustable height.
3. PharMeDoc Balance Ball Chair
PharMeDoc Balance Ball Chair is an excellent chair for those who want a comfortable chair in the office. It has a removable backrest, so you can safely keep it under your desk. Like all other ball chairs on this list, PharMeDoc includes a 52-cm ball, 60-mm wheels, and a maximum weight capacity of 300 lbs.
Editor’s Pick: Best Yoga Ball Chair
Yoga Ball Chair Buying Guide
Buying a yoga ball chair is a bit hard, especially with numerous brands on the market that almost look the same. If you want your first purchase to be successful, here are a few things you need to know:
Benefits of Using a Yoga Ball Chair
1. Relieve from back, shoulder, and neck pain.
The main benefit of using a yoga ball chair is to relieve back, shoulder, and neck pain that’s related to sitting for too long. With proper posture and frequent movements, you reduce the damage that can be caused by sitting for too long in the same position.
2. Improved posture and balance
You need to constantly balance your body because the yoga ball isn’t stable. This results in better spine alignment, proper posture, and improved balance.
3. Strengthened core
Sitting on a yoga ball puts your abs to work. It involves subtle contractions on the core muscles that’ll increase your core strength. Imagine using your core muscles for a long time. You might finally have the 6-pack that you always wanted.
4. Improved blood circulation
Using a yoga ball will improve your circulation as you move frequently and not stay in the same position. Good blood circulation also helps reduce the risk of any cardiovascular disease.
5. Improved focus
Since this type of chair lets you move easily while sitting, you stay awake and alert throughout the day. You’ll feel more focused and energetic in completing your work.
6. Better fitness lifestyle
There are lots of exercises and yoga routines that you can do with the exercise ball. When you’re on a break, you can always use the ball to do some basic exercise routines like ab crunches. It won’t cause any hip pain and mess up your hair like a mat would.
What to Look For
1. Design
If you want to move frequently while sitting, look for a minimalistic frame design. Look for a chair with an ergonomic backrest if you want to enjoy more comfort and back support. If you don’t want the ball to pick up dust and grime from the ground, look for a good chair base.
The ball can be unstable sometimes, so it’s good that the chair has a reinforced front bar to keep the ball in place. If you want to bring more color to your boring desk, look for yoga ball chairs that offer multiple colors.
2. Ball Size
It’s important that you get the right ball size or else you’ll aggravate your back-pain problems even further. To get the right size, sit on it or refer to your height.
Your thighs should be parallel to the floor and slightly bent to 90 degrees. The ball shouldn’t be too high that you need to balance it with your wrists on the table.
In regard to your height, get a 45-cm ball if you’re 5 feet and below. For those between 5’ to 5’11, a 52-55-cm ball is ideal. Opt for a 65-75-cm ball if you’re 5’11” and above.
3. Warranty
Warranty is important because it protects us from any defects. For your peace of mind, look for a long warranty that’s more than a year. With a long warranty, you can be sure that the product offers better quality.
How to Use a Yoga Ball Chair
1. Assemble the chair
Start by inserting the wheels into the legs. Next, insert the backrest into the base and secure it with the knob screws. If there’s a metal bar provided, screw it in front of the base.
2. Inflate the ball
Pump the ball to its maximum diameter and plug. You might need to re-inflate the ball twice if it’s new. Leave the ball for 24 hours after its first inflation, then deflate it to 50% and inflate it again to its proper size.
3. Sit up straight
Your legs should be perpendicular to your thighs and parallel to the yoga ball.
4. Bend your elbows
Your forearms should be at 90 degrees. Reach forward a bit and rest them on top of the table, without doing this your neck will be misaligned and the ball won’t help improve your posture.
5. Balance
This is the part where you practice active sitting and balance your body on the ball. For optimum results, tighten your core muscles and work your abs to get that six-pack.
6. Start using the ball for 30 minutes
If it’s your first time using the yoga ball chair, start with 30 minutes or less and increase your time every day. Don’t forget your office chair yet. Sitting on the ball can also put a toll on your lower back and cause discomfort over time. For better body mechanics, alternate between your desk chair and yoga ball chair.
5 Best Yoga Ball Chair Reviews
1. LuxFit Ball Chair
LuxFit Ball Chair is created to help you improve your posture and prevent spine disorders while sitting in your home or office. It enables you to exercise while working on your table. The height of this ball chair can be adjusted from 22 to 25 inches, and it has a weight capacity of 300 pounds.
This chair is built with large 60-mm wheels for easier rolling capacity, as well as a durable exercise ball chair base that prevents the ball from attracting any dirt from the floor. It comes with a thick 52-cm balance ball and a reinforced front bar to keep the ball in place. Impressively, this ball chair offers a 2-year warranty for parts and labor for a risk-free purchase.
PROS:
- Long warranty coverage
- Adjustable height for comfort
- Comfortable backrest to lean on
- Large wheels for great mobility
- Comes with a ball pump, bar, and bolts
CONS:
- Slightly expensive
Best For:
LuxFit Ball Chair is best for men and women who want to stay active while working behind the desk in the office or at home. This chair is great for improving posture, preventing spine disorders, and reducing body pain.
2. Isokinetics Adjustable Metal Ball Chair
Available in 10 colors, Isokinetics offers multiple color choices for your delight. It’s available in green, red, blue, violet, pink, orange, yellow, white, black, and gray. It also comes in two frame finishes; silver flakes on black and solid black.
This adjustable metal ball chair is built with 60 mm size wheels for great mobility and a padded backrest for lumbar support. The leg height positions and back support positions are greatly adjustable. The ball top height adjusts from 22.5 to 25.5 inches while the back adjusts from 6 to 9 inches from the ball’s center.
PROS:
- Multiple color options
- Adjustable back and base height
- Large wheels for smooth mobility
- The frame looks and feels sturdy
- Comfortable padded backrest
CONS:
- Insufficient base support
Best For:
Isokinetics Metal Ball Chair is perfect for those who want a colorful ball chair in their office or home. It’s available in 10 colors and two frame finishes. It’s good for providing good back support while sitting.
3. PharMeDoc Balance Ball Chair
Almost similar to the LuxFit Ball Chair, PharMeDoc Balance Ball Chair is a black chair that comes with a 52-cm exercise ball and lockable 60-mm wheels. It’s designed to minimize back pain and improve your sitting posture. With its removable back, you can store the chair easily under your desk.
What we love about PharMeDoc is its Lifetime Manufacturer Warranty which is rare to find. It comes with a hand pump, so you can always inflate the ball whenever it loses air. The ball is made of vinyl and can support a maximum weight of 300 lbs.
PROS:
- Comes with a hand pump
- Offers a lifetime manufacturer warranty
- Easy to assemble and store
- Extra thick exercise ball
- The frame feels solid
CONS:
- No bar to secure the ball’s position
Best For:
PharMeDoc Balance Ball Chair is great for those who want a balance chair that easily stores under the desk. Like all other ball chairs on this list, PharMeDoc is good in improving posture and reducing back pain while sitting.
4. RGGD&RGGL Yoga Ball Chair
Say farewell to that pricey gym membership with RGGD&RGGL Yoga Ball Chair. This exercise ball is available in six colors and comes with two resistance bands to work out all your muscle groups. It also includes one inflatable stability ring, foot pump, and a set of plugs.
This exercise ball is 2 mm thick and can withstand a maximum weight of 2,200 lbs. It’s made of multiple non-toxic PVC layers to resist punctures and keep people safe from allergies. The ball is 26 inches in height while the stability ring is 18 inches in diameter and 3 inches in height.
PROS:
- Made of safe and odor-free PVC material
- Comes with a lot of accessories
- Good price
- Available in six attractive colors
- Extra thick and sturdy ball
CONS:
- Fully inflating the ball takes a long time
Best For:
RGGD&RGGL is good for people who want a multifunctional gym bundle at home. This exercise ball comes with two resistance bands to exercise all muscle groups. It can also serve as a ball chair to reduce back pain.
5. Gaiam Classic Balance Ball Chair
The Gaiam Classic Balance Ball Chair is another good alternative to your ordinary desk chair as it helps improve your posture and overall well-being. It’s available in nine colors; black, blue, gray, forest, fuchsia, green, ocean, purple, and wasabi. It also includes a 52-cm exercise ball, air pump, metal support bar, and four casters.
This Gaiam Yoga Ball Chair has a height of 2.5 feet and a width of 20 inches. It can support a maximum weight of 300 lbs. With this classic model, you can sit on your desk more comfortably and reduce lower back pain.
PROS:
- Available in nine lively colors
- Complete with accessories
- The wheels glide easily
- Inflates relatively quick (not more than 10 minutes)
CONS:
- The metal bar is a bit fragile
Best For:
The Gaiam Classic Balance Ball Chair is recommended for people who are 5’ to 5’11” tall. It fits on standard-height tables. If you want a taller chair, use Gaiam’s compatible 2-inch leg extenders.
FAQs:
Q: What is a yoga ball chair?
Yoga ball chairs are basically chairs with a yoga ball or balance ball integrated on the seat with large easy-to-glide caster wheels and a backrest (optional). They’re designed to mix the comfort of an ordinary chair with the health benefits of sitting on a yoga ball.
A 2012 study found that using a yoga ball chair can help improve posture and balance and increase energy. The idea is that when sitting on a yoga ball, you can work your postural muscles, abs, legs, and glutes.
Q: Does sitting on a balance ball burn calories?
Yes, it does. Balancing your body on a yoga ball serves as a small workout. According to a study, sitting on a yoga ball can burn 4.1 calories more than sitting on an ordinary office chair each hour.
Q: What do yoga balls help with?
Yoga balls help in stimulating the core muscles; the deep pelvis, abs, and low back muscles. All these muscles are crucial for good posture and balance. The ball works the smaller stability muscles as well as the muscles being trained in the exercise.
Q: How do I get toned abs with yoga ball?
Use the right size of the yoga ball. Your knees and thighs should be perpendicular while your feet are lying flat on the floor. Do every core-strength exercise five times and keep a good form. Gradually increase to 12-15 reps as you get stronger.
Q: How much weight can an exercise ball withstand?
Weight capacity refers to how much weight the ball can hold when the user is sitting on it. Surpassing the weight limit is dangerous because it might cause the ball to burst. A high-end yoga ball usually has a weight limit of 2,200-3,000 lbs.
Q: Is it okay to use the yoga ball chair while pregnant?
Sitting on a yoga ball is great for pregnant women because it can help you get in shape and give birth smoothly. Sit upright and make sure that the ball is hard and high enough.
Conclusion
For us, the best balance ball chair is LuxFit Ball Chair because it has an extra thick ball, large wheels, and adjustable height. Best of all, it offers a 2-year warranty for parts and labor. Although slightly expensive, you can get fit while working on your desk.
A good alternative is the Isokinetics Adjustable Metal Ball Chair. With its multiple color choices, you can get a good-looking chair in your office or home. The height of the base and back are adjustable to give you maximum lumbar support.
Allen Wei is someone who believes in living his best life, focusing on balance, happiness, and relaxation. He fosters a positive lifestyle in terms of his body, mind, and environment, and he is a huge proponent of learning to be balanced via relaxation techniques integrated into our busy lives.
Good article. I’m kind of thinking to buy a yoga ball chair at home.