I LOVE my ball chair. I've now been using it for a year and a half and I absolutely hate meetings that require me to spend hours in "regular" chairs. I love how it naturally keeps my back aligned, and how without arm rests I can't slump over onto one side. My days of lower back, neck and shoulder pain are long behind me, plus people always stop by my desk to ask about it!
The first day of use I noticed a difference in my pain level in my legs, back, bum and neck. It is a great chair to practice your balance and engaging your core. I feel like I am getting a bonus workout just by sitting! I love it and would definately buy it again!
I was SHOCKED! Could not believe how comfortable this chair turned out to be. Already purchased the Balance Disc for one of my fellow employees after he tried out mine. He has been suffering from a tail bone injury and this relieved his discomfort and pain. Two other ladies in the office want one too! It's the simple things in life!
Since using the Gaiam chair at my computer, my back and hip pains have almost completely disappeared. IT forces you into good posture and you automatically pull in your stomach muscles while you sit.
Be sure to get the right size for your height. The chair is very easy to assemble and was a great bargain. It has been a great ergonomic addition to my office and has improved my posture and reduced my neck and back strain. The chair is also a space saver compared to the previous office chair I used.
I use the chair everyday at my office, but not for any exercise. It is good for that, but I cannot speak for exercising and stretching. The material is all plastic with one metal bar holding the ball on the front of the chair. The materials are on the cheap side. The plastic is about what I would expect in a toddler's play toy and the metal bar should be about twice the diameter with a better method for how it is connected to the chair. The bar has broken on my chair after about 8 months of use, but support was very nice and quickly sent me a replacement piece. The nuts for the ends of the bar should be much wider so they have a better purchase on the plastic. Even with the lower quality, it is sufficient for my uses and I am happy with it.