WARNING! This website is no longer actively maintained. It is an archive of 2 years work by Doug Belshaw who now blogs at dougbelshaw.com...
This report claims that some schools in America are ‘ditching chairs for exercise balls’. Although at first it made me laugh (check out the picture!) but the article claims that it: assists in improving posture, enhances attention and concentration, improves balance and coordination, and adjusts for a customized fit. Sounds like a plan - although they’d have to reinforce them for my classes. Either that, or I’d have to ban scissors in my classroom… 
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I’ve heard of some corporations doing the same thing. Apparently, the micromovements of muscles required to remain balanced is very good for you. The only thing is, chairs come is adjustable heights - do the balls? We have a guy in our team who is under 5′ tall and another who is over 6′7″. They have to work at the same height desk. I can see a whole can of worms resulting…
You know what? I think that I might actually try this for a little while at my desk at work. I’ll let you know what I think after another week or so.
Josh Boldman
http://www.joshboldman.com
I’ve had some back issues for a little while and my osteopath recommended I get one for work. It takes a bit of getting used to but three years down the line I wouldn’t change it! Got 75cm diameter ball from Argos, £12. Bargin.
I think that the issue with these for secondary schools would be the difference in size between Y7 - 13 student. However, it is worth considering if the chairs we all know and love are actually better for development of a correct posture? 65cm would be the way to go!
My posture’s awful. Would you recommend I get one - really? You don’t just roll off them?