Unconventional Ergonomic Office Chair

My wife came up with a great idea the other day... I rebuilt a new computer for our living area, which is really her computer. I thought that while I was at it, it would be nice to get a new office chair. Something ergonomic, comfortable, and since it's in our living area; stylish. Basically, ergonomic and stylish usually translate in my brain into the word "expensive."

But before all this thinking on my behalf about purchasing new furniture, she said it may be smart to use one of those exercise balls for a chair because they're supposed to be good for posture, and possibly provide some "core" strengthening (at least more than sitting in a conventional chair provides).

A week later, after spending 20 minutes online shopping for $200-500 fancy chairs, I remembered Wifey's words of wisdom (seriously, she's had some real pearls lately), so I told her we should try the ball.

It's been a week, and we both like it. Holly says she doesn't really sit up with "good" posture, and I have to agree. I'm a chronic sloucher and the ball doesn't fix this except for when I consciously tell myself to sit up straight. But it's comfortable sitting, it's more fun than a regular chair (if that makes sense).

So far, it's like when I eat something healthy; even though it may not be as taste-o-licious as fried chicken and gravy, it makes up for it by being a satisfyingly healthier food choice. Just as I'd really rather lay prone in a grotesquely comfortable La-Z-Boy, with some sort of Ceiling Mounted Articulating Arm Computer Workstation hovering above my chest, the Fitness Ball has its merits as a satisfying seating choice. Still, I have no illusions that sitting on a ball for hours instead of a chair is going to turn my keg into a six-pack.

The ball cost $10 and came with its own pump. We got the 65cm diameter version from Wal-Mart (which I inflated to about 25in diameter), it's Gold Gym brand, and it looks like this:

Gold's Gym Fitness Ball

I'm sure we're not the first people to use a fitness ball as a chair, but it's our discovery of the week. Those of you who sit at desks 40+ hours a week may want to give it a try.

My next desk/health fusion recipe will probably involve melding my Nordic Track with a tall desk. I read about this equities trader that was really fat, and since he stared at 6 monitors all day while he traded, he decided he should walk at the same time. Viola! The Workout Workstation was born.

Anyone with good ideas of how to take a regular desk and regular treadmill/eliptical/ski machine and marry them in a practical fashion, please post your ideas here.

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