--- title: Should I Use an Exercise Ball as an Office Chair? description: Briotix discourages the use of therapy balls in the workplace. While great for your core muscles during exercise, there are several risk factors for the office. image: https://news.briotix.com/hubfs/bigstock-Businesswoman-With-Fitness-Bal-94947914.jpg --- [![Briotix Health Company Logo A Registered Trademark](https://news.briotix.com/hubfs/BH%20logo.png) ](https://www.briotix.com/) - Solutions - [Industrial Sports Medicine™ ](https://www.briotix.com/industrial-sports-medicine) - [Ergonomics ](https://www.briotix.com/ergonomics) - [Return to Work ](https://www.briotix.com/return-to-work) - [Functional Employment Testing ](https://www.briotix.com/employment-testing) - [Clinical Solutions ](https://www.briotix.com/clinical-solutions) - [Technology Solutions ](https://www.briotix.com/technology-solutions) - Benefits - [Why Choose Briotix Health? ](https://www.briotix.com/benefits) - [Success Stories ](https://www.briotix.com/case-studies) - Company & Careers - [Our Story ](https://www.briotix.com/about-us) - [The Briotian Way ](https://www.briotix.com/values) - [Upcoming Events ](https://www.briotix.com/events) - [Press & Media ](https://www.briotix.com/press) - [Careers ](https://www.briotixcareers.com/) - Resources - [Industry News ](https://news.briotix.com) - [Podcasts ](https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/briotix-health) - [Papers and Research ](https://www.briotix.com/papers-research) - [Webinars ](https://www.briotix.com/webinars) therapy ball chairs # Should I Use an Exercise Ball as an Office Chair? Briotix discourages the use of therapy balls in the workplace. While great for your core muscles during exercise, there are several risk factors for the office. [ David Brandenburg, CPE ](https://news.briotix.com/author/david-brandenburg-cpe) Feb 10, 2017 --- Briotix discourages the use of isometric or stability balls in the workplace. While great for encouraging engagement of your core muscles during exercise, they are not good for sitting at a workstation and in fact research shows increase your risk of ergonomic injury. There are serious ergonomic risk factors to consider. ![bigstock-Businesswoman-With-Fitness-Bal-94947914.jpg](https://news.briotix.com/hs-fs/hubfs/bigstock-Businesswoman-With-Fitness-Bal-94947914.jpg?width=640&name=bigstock-Businesswoman-With-Fitness-Bal-94947914.jpg) ## Are Exercise Balls Good to Sit on at Work? No, Here's Why The serious ergonomic risk factors of exercise or therapy balls in the workplace include: 1. They do not promote neutral spinal posture well, meaning they tend to result in excessive slouching, leaning, and pelvic rotation after a short period of time. 2. The additional trunk movement typically results in increased muscle strain in the low back. 3. The lack of upper body & arm supports results in increased spinal disc pressure for users. 4. The lack of adjustability leaves many users positioned at the wrong height and fit for their desk. And more practically speaking, the balls also present slip, trip, and fall hazards in the workplace. We have seen numerous injuries from people falling off of them. ### What's a Better Solution? The best approach by far is to ensure you have supportive well-fitting, highly adjustable office chairs AND a program of movement-oriented rest breaks and microbreaks to break up periods of prolonged sitting. Our standard microbreak recommendations include: 1. Stand up for several seconds every 15-20 minutes. 2. Rest the hands completely every 20-30 minutes for 30-60 seconds. Placing the hands in the lap or dropping them to the side are suggested resting positions. 3. Walk briskly, climb the stairs and/or make other vigorous movement for 3-4 minutes every hour or 6-8 minutes every two hours. Reference Article:  [http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0003687008000690](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0003687008000690) [![New Call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2274248/60026a5b-bd28-4bc8-a20d-ada70d9b8760.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2274248/60026a5b-bd28-4bc8-a20d-ada70d9b8760) [therapy ball chairs](https://news.briotix.com/topic/therapy-ball-chairs) [medicine ball chair recommendations](https://news.briotix.com/topic/medicine-ball-chair-recommendations) ## Similar posts Workers Compensation ### [Why Are Physical Therapists a Popular Choice for Onsite Services?](https://news.briotix.com/why-are-physical-therapists-a-popular-choice-for-onsite-services) There are many benefits to having an onsite physical therapist, not least of which is a considerable reduction in workers’ compensation costs. Team Briotix Mar 23, 2017 Onsite services ### [How an Onsite Prevention Specialist Can Help Your Company](https://news.briotix.com/how-an-onsite-prevention-specialist-can-help-your-company) There is a reason that more and more employers are offering onsite health services to their staff. Onsite service providers are able to integrate... Team Briotix Jun 26, 2017 women in technology ### [Removing Barriers for Women in Technology](https://news.briotix.com/removing-barriers-women-in-technology) According to a recent study conducted by the American Association of University Women, a non-profit which promotes gender equality, only 26% of... Team Briotix Apr 11, 2018 ### Follow the Briotix Health Blog for New Releases The Briotix Health Blog is your source for new and up-to-date information on industry innovations, in-depth explorations of current topics, and discussions with experts. 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