My big, bouncy ball

After being at my first internship for a few weeks, I have been enjoying having my own desk in an office like setting, but suddenly while driving home last night shamefully regretting the fudge brownie I had just devoured, I was contemplating when I would have time to run, lift or go to kick-boxing next. Then I realized “I can work out while sitting at work!”A

So I pulled in the unusually empty parking last night and parked my car under the florescent red glow of the Target sign.

Walking in I was on a mission to get the rather small work out section part of the store. Usually in Boulder, every store has an expansive health food and work out section because Boulder is home to some of the fittest people in the world.

It didn’t matter though because Target is cheap and they had exactly what I needed: a yoga ball.

In every comedy/ chick flick movie it is common to see that health conscious person (usually a girl) sitting on not a squishy rolly chair but a yoga ball. So I decided to fit the stereotype and get one of my own. Buying the biggest one at 75 cm, I sat at work this morning slowly pumping up the giant grey ball with the manual pump that came in the box.

After about half an hour, my arm grew tired so I switched to my left arm to make sure both arms got an equal work out. FINALLY! It was inflated enough to sit on! One of my editors rolled the chair out of my way, and I bounced into my desk on my new ab ball.

The only reason I have remotely OK posture is because I grew having to sit straight playing the piano and horse back riding, so not ending the day with a lower back ache would be an unimaginable pain to not have.

Reading online about why these balls have become popular makes me even happier that I got one. Summer isn’t just coming, it’s actually here, and if I don’t have time for crunches I may as well roll around the office working on strengthening my core while blogging this.

Yoga balls are helpful to improve stability and balance, which I have neither of. Sitting on this ball I am catching my balance about every 30 seconds. I can barely walk without kicking a desk or tripping over my other foot. So maybe this ball with help ball will help me break less toes? The ball also helps with strengthening of abs which then helps improve my lower back muscles which are both bonuses in my eyes.

Browsing though various online sites though, many wrote about the dangers that come along with using the exercise ball. Including: the pressure it puts on your back when used at a ling period of time, hurting your spinal column, and straining ligaments.

After reading this it as a little concerning but eh I might as well try it. One website had interesting work outs to try while sitting on the ball so I think I will attempt some and see if I can get any core burn going. If not, it was worth the try, and I will swivel back around in my chair.

Right now, I’m having fun trying not to roll off of my giant ball that I’m sure everyone thinks is a little ridiculous but if it wasn’t it wouldn’t be me.