Balance Ball Desk Chair

Many of us spend a lot of time in front of the computer, developing horrible posture and are further guilty of spending too little time strengthening our core and bettering our balance.  I've tried to alter this behavior but find myself quickly back at the keyboard slouching with my balancing ball deflating in the corner.

Inspired by the commercially available and all-too-pricey balance ball desk chairs out there, I decided to make my own with the ball I already I own, some PVC, wheels and a few tools.  The ball can also be very easily removed (simply lifted out), so you can use it for working out.  This is an inexpensive and easy project that will (hopefully) force an end to slouching and work those abs while 'working' or in my case 'studying' (yeah, not so much studying as fantasizing about bookshelves and LED throwies while on Instructables).

Note:  If you have back/neck problems or at all concerned about how this might affect your back/neck/whatever, please consult your doctor or physical therapist.  I am not responsible if injury or further injury occurs to you or anyone else as a result of this DIY guide.

Step 1 Supplies

You'll need the following for this project:

Balance ball (I used a small sized one, but I think a medium might be better; the large might be too high for the desk)
4 12" pieces of 1 1/4" PVC pipe
4 1 1/4" PVC elbows
PVC primer & cement (I have ones with the brushes inside; if you don't have that, add brushes to your supply list)
4 2" twin wheel casters with stems ... the ones that have the metal piece that the stems snap into (brakes are a nice feature too)
Spray paint (or duct tape, which is what I had on hand and used ... but probably does not look as good)

Tools:
Saw (if you need to cut the PVC down)
Sandpaper (I had 150 grit, which worked fine)
Drill & 3/8" bit (to fit the wheel stem, so adjust bit size as needed)
Hammer
Sharpie
Paper towel

Comments

[Ninzerbean]

 Why the stand? Do you put your feet on it? I have a ball that the kids use when playing video games as an extra chair, but I have no idea why I would need the stand - can you show a photo of how to use the stand while someone is sitting? This seems like a great idea.

[dustycotton]

For me at the office, the stand is awesome so I can roll around my desk area to access the various drawers and files. Otherwise the ball sticks to the carpet and I am constantly having to reposition it each time I need to move.

[k24tea]

Your solution is much more elegant than mine. I made a simple ring out of a pool float tube to keep my ball from skating out from under me when I start to sit on it. It really helps, since I don't have a carpeted floor for friction to help keep the ball from skittering across my hardwood floor. Tthe ring I made is about 15" diameter and just sits on the floor. The ball can move freely inside the ring while I'm sitting. That way I still get that good core-strengthening instability when I'm sitting on the ball. Seems to me that if the frame completely constrains the ball from rolling you lose the core-strengthening value because you don't have to maintain balance on the ball. Either way, I find that sitting on the ball is better for lumbar posture than slouching in a chair.And with a frame or stand I'm not as likely to spill my tea when I start to sit down on the ball and it skitters away! I think I'll make a frame like yours to hold my elongated exercise "bean" ball on end so it can double as a counter stool. Thanks for a good Instructable!