Gaiam Balance Ball Chair (Black)

I was recommended by a physical therapist to use this chair to obtain relief from neck issues. It is very comfortable providing adequate back support but with greatly diminished stress to the lower back resulting in relief to my neck area. The only thing I miss from a traditional office chair is the arms to rest my elbows on; however, I am practicing new ergonomic techniques and find that I would not use them anyway. Great product, highly recommend!

The Gaiam Balance ball was referred to me by a friend (thank U Suzy) so I went to their web site and checked it out but when I reviewed the pricing decided to shop around for the same product and found it on Amazon. I bought it there due to a special sale as well as free shipping that turned out to be 2 day Fed Ex and saved $70. I am extremely happy with my chair. The only change I would make to it (and may still do myself) is to have better rollers for it. I am on it 40 hours a week at my office cubicle for a month now and I need it as I have an injury to my sacrum causing pinched nerves and pain in my hips and legs if I sit for 40 hours on my expensive adjustable office chair. The ball is strengthening my core and I am not in as much pain now. Totally worth the money!

At over 6' tall, I purchased this product knowing I was just above the recommended height. I purchased it because the image made the height of the chair look like it was roughly the same height as the chair I am using now, relative to my desk. I was grossly mistaken.

The model in the picture must be just shy of 5' tall because the chair in person is very small and low to the ground. I had a couple of people try it out (5'10" and 5'6") and both of them remarked how low the chair sat, and neither would use the chair because of that reason.

Further more, the small size of the actual ball made for an uncomfortable experience. The ball was firmer than most exercise balls and the curvature made an unusual pressure point on the tailbone.

I am giving the product 3 stars. With a few caveats this ball chair can still be a good product for some. A) You almost need to be 5'3" to 5'7" inches to find this chair suitable. The range they provide is unrealistic for this size chair. B) You wear jeans to work. The rubber grips clothing firmly and it will cause accelerated wear to finer fabrics.

All that being said, this chair is still more professional looking for an office environment and it does have some health benefits. You will still get the looks and the questions, but at least it looks like it was built for the office and not the gym, but if you are looking to help your back and posture, I would recommend getting just a plain ball (seems to be a common opinion on this board) instead of this chair.

I have horrible posture. This chair is the best office chair I've ever had. I am constantly reminded to sit up, but find the thing very comfortable. I am about 5'6, and my fella is about 6'5, and we both are comfortable with the height and feel of this chair. Rubber feels a little sticky and weird directly on hot skin for hours on end, but really, I am so pleased with this purchase. Some reviews I read online about it being cheap or too tall/too short worried me. I have found none of it to be a problem, and have used it actively for about 3 months.

I have back problems and this chair has helped me sit correctly and now my back doesn't hurt as much. It forces you to sit up in the correct postion and I really like that part. I am a sloucher so it really helps me not to do that anymore. I highly recommend this to anyone who's job entails a lot of sitting.
The only thing that I don't like about it is the wheel locks. They seem to always be on and then I have to reach down and unlock them. The ball was hard to blow up, so you will need access to an air compressor. The pump that comes with it would take hours to pump it up.