Check out our Diet Reviews on AOL Health!

Ball Chairs Bounce Into Schools

Categories: Fitness

ball chairs

Photo: WittFitt, LLC

Less students are slouching in their desks these days, they're sitting attentively upon colorful exercise balls. While many kids report trading a chair for a cushy ball is fun, classroom-designed ball chairs are really about improving learning, reports the Chicago Tribune. Perching atop a ball chair requires kids to constantly engage their core muscles, which is simultaneously turning on their pre-frontal cortex for better mental engagement and less impulsivity.

It's not just school children, either. In a study that looked at college students on exercise balls, the students overwhelmingly prefer a bouncy seat, they self-reported improved concentration and focus, according to a study done by John Kilbourne, a movement scientist at Grand Valley State University. You can bet primary, intermediate and middle school teachers are seeing this same effect or they wouldn't let a single ball chair roll into their classroom. Put your worry to rest about kids tossing their rubber chairs around the room -- they don't scrawl on their bodies with dry erase markers, either -- that's why there's a teacher in the room.

As the mother of an ever-moving, second grade boy, one of these bouncy balls would be a welcome addition at our dinner table. But kids aren't the only clients. Ball chair-seller WittFitt has seen a serious rise in sales the past few years, and their comprehensive sizing tool and personalized assistance can get you the right ball for your home or office. Beyond a standard stability ball with feet, WittFitt offers the Evolution Chair with a moving base, FitBALL Seating Disc and a FitBALL Chair.

If you're slouching right now, and sitting on a ball isn't appealing, perhaps you might try vibrating yourself straight.

Recent Posts

Add your comments

New Users

Current Users

Please keep your comments relevant to this blog entry. Email addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments.

When you enter your name and email address, you'll be sent a link to confirm your comment, and a password. To leave another comment, just use that password.

Recent Comments
Featured Writers
Bob GreeneReggie Casagrande
Bob Greene
Jonny BowdenJohn GanonJonny Bowden

Tanya ZuckerbrotFadil BerishaTanya Zuckerbrot
Liz Neporent Liz Neporent