Michaela Gerg is one of the most successful German alpine skiers. In 1996, she ended her active racing career, but remained true to winter sports with her own ski school in Lenggries. The dedicated former top athlete offers courses there for all ages and skill levels. She wants to pass on her enthusiasm for snow sports and awaken the joy of movement. She is also involved in her Schneekristalle foundation and is sought after as a speaker and Feng Shui consultant.
In Conversation: Michaela Gerg, former German alpine skier
Sitting still is not for Michaela Gerg. In her daily life, she also relies on a lot of movement. Michaela Gerg privately owns the "most active chair in the world," an Aeris Swopper. We wanted to know from the multiple World Cup winner and successful Olympic participant whether she, as an athlete, sees particular advantages in active sitting and whether everyday mobility also has positive effects on regeneration.
Stay active in everyday life
Aeris: Ms. Gerg, as a former alpine skier, you were used to training for hours every day. How do you stay fit today and how do you ensure enough exercise in your daily life?
Michaela Gerg: Today, I exercise without compulsion. Instead of focusing almost exclusively on winter sports – as I used to – today it's a wide variety of sports on my agenda. For example, I love practicing yoga. It helps me wonderfully to train my physical and mental flexibility. I love being outdoors, whether hiking in the mountains, jogging, or cycling. I'm also an enthusiastic golf player.
In addition to her beloved Aeris Swopper, an Aeris Muvman has now moved in with Michaela Gerg.
Aeris: 80% of Germans suffer from back pain. How about you? Are you pain-free thanks to regular training and your well-trained muscles?
Michaela Gerg: Towards the end of my career, I had major problems with my lumbar spine. You could say it was a minor slipped disc. Yoga and a conscious approach in everyday life help me today to keep my back fit and, above all, pain-free.
The advantages of active sitting on the Aeris Swopper office stool
Aeris: You are familiar with the Aeris Swopper 3D active chair, which was developed to combat back problems and promote more movement. How would you describe sitting on the Aeris Swopper in your own words?
Michaela Gerg: Active sitting on the Aeris Swopper allows me to spend hours at my desk in a back-friendly way. By constantly moving slightly, my back muscles are strengthened, and I don't fall into a rigid rounded back posture. Lazy "slouching" in the stool is thus a thing of the past.
The Aeris Swopper office stool offers maximum freedom of movement in all three dimensions.
Aeris: The Aeris Swopper was initially considered a "health chair," especially for alleviating acute back pain. Today, it is recognized that its unique 3D flexibility not only benefits the back but also has positive effects on the entire metabolism by promoting movement. Headlines such as "Sitting can be deadly" or "Sitting is the new smoking" have increased awareness of this function. Long periods of sitting – how harmful do you think it really is?
Michaela Gerg: I am always cautious with such generalizing statements and prefer to listen to what my body tells me in such situations. However, I generally believe that any one-sided movement without compensation eventually leads to problems. When skiing, it is therefore important to do compensatory exercises for relaxation in between. When sitting, this would accordingly mean changing your position more often or getting up now and then. Here, too, the right "equipment" plays a big role. There are rigid chairs and there are chairs that promote movement. I don't know any that moves more than the Aeris Swopper. And movement is always good!
Aeris: Regeneration is an important topic in elite sports. Does such "low-threshold" training of the back muscles through active sitting play a role in this?
Michaela Gerg: After my own back problems, I learned that even back muscle training cannot be ignored. In everyday life, I use every opportunity to strengthen my core muscles and thus my back. This also includes active sitting.
With the Aeris Swopper to the ideal Feng Shui working environment
Aeris: We read in your resume that you are also a certified Feng Shui consultant. How do you rate the Aeris Swopper from a Feng Shui perspective? And could you give us some tips for designing a good home office?
Michaela Gerg: Everyone has colors that suit them particularly well; in which they feel particularly comfortable and are therefore particularly productive. The Aeris Swopper health chair is available in many colors - and if the ideal Feng Shui color is not available, you can also place it in neutral black or white at your workplace. Natural materials and round shapes are preferred - here, too, the round Aeris Swopper gets Feng Shui points. A Feng Shui consultation determines the sitting and viewing direction at the desk that suits the person. In general, sitting with your back to the door makes you more nervous and prone to errors. It's better to have the door in view, as this supports sustained work. Furthermore, order in the office is very important. A tidy office and a clear and organized desk allow for clear thoughts.
