What is a Ball Chair?

A Ball Chair is really a fitness ball used as your primary seating device. The theory behind the Ball Chair is usually to accomplish a few things:



1.Comfortable seating to alleviate lower back pain or discomfort.

2.Stimulate and maybe strengthen your core.

3.Cause you to move around and not be stagnant for long amounts of time.



There have been many recent developments with creating complementary hardware or bases to put the fitness ball in, that provide it with the design and feel of the standard office chair. Some Ball Chairs are carefully engineered to look like a normal office chair.



Evolution and History of the Fitness Ball



1963 - The initial fitness ball or "Swiss Ball" was developed by Aquilino Cosani. He was able to build a process for making a puncture resistant ball. Those balls were then also known as "Pezzi balls".

The Pezzi balls were first used in various programs for newborns and infants by a British physiotherapist doing work in Switzerland named Mary Quinton.

Thereafter, Dr. Susanne Klein-Vogelbach, the director from the Physiotherapy School in Basel, Switzerland used the ball for rehab for neuro-developmental treatment. The ball was used to help remedy adults with orthopedic or medical problems.

1980’s - The Pezzi ball technology was introduced to America and referred to the ball as the "Swiss Ball", used for rehabilitation for those with spinal injuries.

1990’s - The fitness ball was moved into the athletic paradigm and is particularly now extremely popular in the fitness world. The fitness ball is used commonly in athletic training, fitness routines, aerobic classes, yoga sessions, physical therapy, pregnancy, gardening, offices as well as in classrooms. It appears that purposes for the ball continue to be developing.



Exactly what are Fitness Balls made out of?



The exercise ball is made from plastic vinyl or PVC (plastic vinyl , however some are burst-resistant yet others usually are not. Fitness balls typically have a diameter of 35 - 85 centimeters (14 - 34 inches). Some balls will be more durable, intended to hold more weight and , sometimes cost you a little more. Experts recommend that the exercise ball is inflated to the appropriate level, and the valve stem is used to seal air in the ball. Some exercise balls have "stayball technology" engineered within the ball, that is a substance that's added within the ball to hold your exercise ball in place.