In the 2000s, the exercise ball, also known as a Pezzi ball, appeared in German offices and for a long time seemed to be an all-round solution for the lack of movement in the workplace, including back pain. These days, only a few people still work with an exercise ball, and most of them are gathering dust in storage rooms. Unfairly so? What do the facts really tell us? Is a stool, compared to an office stool like the Aeris Swopper, perhaps a good alternative after all?
Comparison table: Sitting ball vs. Aeris Swopper
| criterion | Sitting ball | Aeris Swopper |
|---|---|---|
| Individual settings options | Various sizes available (45-95 cm), however no height adjustment or tension adjustment. | Stepless seat height adjustment, spring tension adjustment, and lateral movement adjustment. Various shock absorber options. |
| Security | Unstable, high risk of falling due to rolling away. Risk of bursting with inferior material. | TÜV and GS certified, tip-proof and stable. Optional casters or glides. Complies with office chair standard DIN EN 1335. |
| design | Simple PVC balls or versions with fabric or leather covers. Bulky and not very elegant. | Over 50 design variations, distinctive foot ring, compact design, fits under the desk. |
| Environmental friendliness | Mostly made of PVC, short lifespan, problematic disposal. | Durable, repairable, manufactured in Germany according to sustainable standards. |
| Price | Inexpensive models (from €10), high-quality models up to approximately €400. | Premium product, from €629 RRP, durable and with high resale value. |
| Mobility and ergonomics | Promotes an active posture and trains muscles through constant balancing movements. Unsuitable for prolonged office use. | 3D technology enables movement in all directions. Ergonomically optimized for long, active work periods. |
| Suitable for | Short exercise sessions, temporary seating. | Long periods of focused work in the office or home office. |
Conclusion:
The exercise ball is suitable as a temporary training aid, but it is not a substitute for an ergonomic office stool like the Aeris Swopper. For long-term, active, and safe work, the Aeris Swopper is the better choice.
The advantages and disadvantages of the sitting ball and the Aeris Swopper in detail
Check No. 1: Individual settings options
Here, the Pezzi ball is in contrast to the Aeris Swopper swivel stool. There are significant disadvantages. Although exercise balls are available in various sizes (approximately 45 to 95 cm in diameter) , you cannot adjust their height individually and therefore cannot optimally adapt them to your desk or your body size.
You also can't "quickly" adjust the tension and therefore the vibration depth for a good sitting experience on an exercise ball.
With the Aeris Swopper office stool, on the other hand, you can roughly adjust the chair to your needs in the first step thanks to the four different spring leg options:
Standard spring (for body weights between 50 and 120 kg), Low (for tables lower than 65 cm), High (for heights over 185 cm) and Light (for persons up to 50 kg and heights up to 165 cm).
Additionally, the seat height can be adjusted continuously with a single movement. This allows you to find the perfect angle between your hips and knees in no time.
Furthermore, the spring tension, i.e., the vertical up-and-down oscillation, can be individually adjusted to your body weight. You can also adjust the lateral movement of the work stool to your personal preference.
The Aeris Swopper is therefore clearly superior to a gym ball.
What is a Pezzi ball?
The name PEZZI is protected and belongs to the Italian manufacturer of exercise balls, Ledragomma. A PEZZI exercise ball, or Pezzi ball for short, is actually a large exercise ball, originally from that manufacturer.
However, the term Pezziball is now a deonym for a large exercise ball and is also used for balls from other manufacturers.
Check No. 2: Safety
In terms of safety, the exercise ball loses out significantly compared to the office stool. This is because most exercise balls are unstable and can easily roll away.
A single second of inattention is all it takes to lose your balance and fall off the ball. While some manufacturers now offer a sewn-in base ring to prevent rolling, this restricts movement.
Another safety risk: You should definitely make sure that the exercise ball is made of a high-quality material to prevent it from bursting unexpectedly. Ideally, the exercise ball should have an anti-burst system (usually made with the composite material Crylon) or be labeled burst-resistant or burst-proof.
With the Aeris Swopper work stool, you don't need to worry about safety. This office stool is TÜV and GS certified and, despite its great mobility, extremely stable and tip-resistant.
The foot ring is available with or without casters (glides). In the version with backrest, casters, and low-profile springs (Swopper Work), the Aeris Swopper complies with the office chair standard DIN EN 1335.
Check No. 3: Design
Besides the usual, mostly monochrome PVC exercise balls, there are also exercise balls with covers made of various materials such as felt, synthetic leather, etc. And the range of colors extends from classic to modern.
Disadvantage: the inflated exercise balls look inelegant, take up a lot of space and are significantly bulkier than an office stool.
The Aeris Swopper, with its distinctive design – the striking foot ring and the unconventionally convex seat – is unmistakable among office stools. A unique piece and a classic.
You can customize the ergonomic work stool with over 50 upholstery and color options. And if you like, you can easily tuck the chair away under your desk at the end of the day.
Check No. 4: Environmental friendliness
The Aeris Swopper clearly scores points here. Many exercise balls are made of environmentally and health-damaging PVC and have to be disposed of as hazardous waste after a relatively short lifespan.
The Aeris Swopper, on the other hand, is handcrafted in Germany using traditional methods and therefore has an extremely long lifespan. Should something go wrong, individual parts can easily be replaced and the entire unit repaired.
Check No. 5: Price
Here, the exercise ball comes out on top, although prices vary depending on size, brand, and quality. You can find inexpensive exercise balls starting at around €10. Mid-range models cost between €50 and €80. Higher-quality brand-name models cost between €100 and €400.
There are many reasons for the higher price of the Aeris Swopper (starting at €629 RRP). This innovative work stool features unique 3D movement technology, is made from high-quality materials, and is manufactured in Germany (see also check no. 4).
This ensures high quality and a long lifespan. Furthermore, the Aeris Swopper retains a high resale value for years, and you have a three-year warranty. In return, you're getting a high-end product.
Check No. 6: Mobility and ergonomic requirements
Without a doubt, you sit much more actively on a high-quality exercise ball than on a conventional office stool. To prevent rolling away on the ball, you have to concentrate on maintaining an upright posture and constantly make balancing movements.
Through numerous small posture modifications, you train the deep muscles, especially in the lower back. At the same time, metabolism and circulation are stimulated.
However, the Pezzi ball is neither permitted nor suitable for permanent use in the office. It's not permitted for safety reasons. It's also unsuitable due to a lack of adjustable settings (see checks 1-2). You can use the exercise ball more for short bursts of exercise during the day or after work.
The Aeris Swopper office stool, on the other hand, offers you maximum freedom of movement – yet it's user-friendly and suitable for office use. This work stool was designed so that you can easily use it all day long in the office or home office.
How does it work? Thanks to Aeris 3D technology, you can move the work stool in all 3 directions: forwards and backwards, left and right, and – unique to Aeris – also in the third dimension, namely up and down.
The effective up-and-down movement, the so-called vertical swinging or "swopping" motion, as in walking or running, nourishes and relieves the intervertebral discs, keeping them fresh and elastic. This prevents back pain and can alleviate it.
Your muscles will be strengthened, allowing them to fulfill their primary function of keeping your back straight. You won't need a backrest as an "artificial support" in this case. In fact, it can be counterproductive to muscle activity.
The lateral flexibility provided by the lower back joint also trains your muscles. All of this stimulates your circulation and metabolism and strengthens your back. You feel more alert and fitter overall. And since muscle work also requires energy, you even burn extra calories in the process.
You can sit comfortably on the Aeris Swopper all day without experiencing back pain or tension. The stool allows for more than twice the movement of a normal office chair, making it ideal for long periods of focused work in the office or at home.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it can be said that an exercise ball cannot replace an office stool like the Aeris Swopper, nor is it a true alternative to a work stool . Despite the different ball sizes, it cannot be optimally adjusted to the body and poses too high a risk of falling.
While you can use it as a temporary seat, the exercise ball is primarily a training and sports device that can be used in short sessions to strengthen the muscles of the back and abdomen.
To stay active all day long, even while sitting – and effortlessly – you should invest in a high-quality, individually adjustable office stool like the Aeris Swopper. This will create a completely new feeling of well-being with less fatigue and more energy and quality of life. It's worth it!
