Gaiam Ultimate Balance Ball Chair (Standard or Swivel Base Option) - Premium Exercise Stability Yoga Ball Ergonomic Chair for Home and Office Desk - 52cm Anti-Burst Ball, Air Pump, Exercise Guide

I LOVE this unusual-looking chair, the Ultimate Balance Ball Chair. I received it 4 days ago, a little over a week from the date I ordered it. I was pleased from the minute I got it; it comes with an assembly instruction sheet that is very EASY to follow, I did not need any tools to put it together and it only took me about 25 min to assemble the structure of the chair (which is very sturdy); though it is hard to tell from looking at this product on a computer screen, the larger parts as well as the smaller components are all very well-made. The only thing you will need is a small air compressor or a bicycle air pump to inflate the Balance Ball.The amazing thing about this Ultimate Balance Ball Chair is that I could feel it relieving stress on my spine almost immediately! For years I would suffer with lower back pain whenever I had to sit at my desk for long periods. The dynamic ergonomic design of this chair forces me to sit straight, which immediately improved my sitting posture. And in order to keep myself sitting straight I find that I am using and strengthening my core muscles, which has resulted in a 75% reduction in lower back pain. The Ultimate Balance Ball Chair is not only comfortable but it also provides ergonomic back support.As an additional bonus, I was surprised to find the Balance Ball chair comes with a full color, illustrated Exercise Guide poster with 9 different strengthening exercises and stretching routines. I'm actually sitting in my Ultimate Balance Ball Chair as I write this review and I am still amazed at how comfortable this chair is!

I have some back issues due to sitting at a computer all day every day and my doc suggested I get something that would engage my core more often. I found this and went for it. Surprisingly (to me) it actually sits quite comfortably especially with the little lower back support thingy on the back. The wheels roll fine on carpet at the office as well as on hardwood in my home office so I'm pretty pleased with it.I will say that when the ball is inflated to 'firm' it does sit quite high so if you have a lower desk setup that might be an issue but if you're willing to have a softer feel to the chair a lower desk should be ok too.

I bought this because I'm spending a lot of time at my workbench height desk, and needed something that was more comfortable than my regular stools. I'm a heavier user, which factors in.-First problem solved: The back was wayyyyy too far forward. I couldn't center myself on the top of the ball, and the metal tubes run into the plastic webbing in the undercarriage. I used a pipe-cutter to shorten the tubes by about 4" or so, then I could sit on top of the ball.-Second problem solved: The cutout in the front of the frame allows the ball to squoosh forwards. Because it's on wheels, you can't really push it back, or it shoots out, and then you're on your butt. And the ability of the ball to deform out the front, just makes it a weird experience, because I felt like I was always fighting with the chair to get it to feel good. If you look at their earlier models, this is clearly a problem they had to deal with before, which they solved with a metal arch that holds the front of the ball in. Well, I didn't want to go to that length, so I used a nylon ratchet strap, hooked around the metal bars, basically 45 degrees up from below the back, up over the front, and back again. Now the ball is constrained, and I can sit up straight, which is what I wanted this damn thing for in the first place. The strap keeps the front contained, and I can sit happily while I work.And this is why this is such a complicated review. What I've come to is that it's possible for this to be a functional, comfortable chair. Very much so. I used to be a muscular guy, now I'm middle aged, and I need a chair that allows me to sit comfortably. And after being modified, this chair works quite well. And I'm pretty happy with it now.But I'm also aware that my skill set isn't typical, so I can't recommend this thing for what I consider to be an average person, because it basically requires some real modification to make it do what it was intended to do.It's a shame, really. I like the idea of a yoga ball for a chair. But most of the reviews I read about the chairs from this company in particular is that they can't design a decent chair.---Update: A month or two later.One of the screws fell out of the metal plate that bolts the wheeled base to the plastic frame that holds the ball, and the metal plate has bent. It's a chair that will see a lot of wiggling and wobbling, by design. They should have either included better lock washers, or added some loctite to the recipe.10 minutes later, I found another screw to replace the one that's gone missing, and re-worked the ratchet strap that's constraining the ball into a supportive position. All I can think is that their stated weight limit of 300 pounds is not really accurate. Not in the long-term, anyway. Especially given all of the other recent reviews of broken bases, etc.It takes a lot to get me off my butt to review something. But this thing has filled me with enough spite and petty snarkiness to make a suburban teenage white girl blush. So I hope whoever designed this godawful garbage gets some serious karmic payback.

I like this chair quite a bit, it forces me to sit upright and maintain my balance. I feel like it has helped prevent a lot of back stiffness after working all day and keeps me feeling awake and alert much more than a standard office chair.My only complaint, and I'm hoping the company will read this review and help me out, is that the spindle that attaches the base to the body of the chair, fractured after about 6 months and I cannot safely use the chair anymore. Before I buy a replacement, I'm hoping they'll reach out to send me a replacement part as, but if not, I'll probably buy a new unit!

I got my order before expected. It was very easy to assemble. I purchased a product that had been returned to save a few dollars and there was a bracket that holds the back support down was missing. You can see in my photo how it's slightly off. It's not a big deal and it will be an easy fix. The company sent me a replacement bracket for free.The construction of the chair is very sturdy. It moves very smoothly in my office. I'm very happy with this purchase and recommend this brand to anyone that is having back or hip issues.