Gaiam Classic Balance Ball Chair – Exercise Stability Yoga Ball Premium Ergonomic Chair for Home and Office Desk with Air Pump, Exercise Guide and Satisfaction Guarantee

Let me just say that I loved this chair when it first arrived- but the metal bar broke after two months and I only weigh 125 pounds. I contacted Gaiam and forwarded them photos and asked for a replacement part and they responded saying I needed more photos of the logo, etc. When I provided proof, they said they would send it out immediately, but I waited and waited and waited. It took them weeks and when the package arrived there was no metal bar but two lug nuts. Heck, I have lug nuts in my tool kit. I needed the metal bar that holds the ball in place. So I contacted them again and I am suspecting that given the time frame for the first request- the second isn't going to be a quick fix. So consider this item a temporary chair, cheaply made and read the one star reviews before purchasing. There is no reason for the metal bar to snap unless it was made of substandard materials and the customer service guarantees are only as good as the people who read the emails and understand prompt and correct replacement parts.

First off, all of these 1 star reviews with pictures...completely misleading. Half of them don't have the ball inflated all the way, the other half put the back rest on backwards! lol YOU HAVE TO AIR THE BALL UP SLOWLY.Once it's at room temp, stretch the ball material away, so the sides aren't sticking together. Inflate as much as it will go, YES IT WILL LOOK SMALL! Wait about 24 hours, release about 50% of the air, and refill again. This time you'll notice that it's gotten a lot bigger. If it still doesn't fit like the photos show, make sure your back rest is facing the right way. This material can take a while to stretch out.Even if you choose to not read the instructions, the assembly is incredibly easy. At first, I was afraid that it would be too low, however if you follow the instructions on properly inflating the ball, it's actually at a perfect height for my desk. Im 5'4"When seated, whether I'm more toward the front or up against the backrest, I immediately notice a difference in my posture. I have had an out-of-place SI joint and constant spine problems for years now. If you sit at a desk all day, this really helps to alleviate any pressure on your sacroiliac joints, along with the sacrum itself.

Gaiam refused to publish my review on their website because it shed some unfavorable light on a known issue with this item. The metal (chrome) bar that tries to help hold the ball in place atop the base is of inferior quality and breaks after a few months of gentle/careful use on either low pile carpet or bare floor. There are so many reviews about this on the Gaiam website - it is officially a "known issue". Gaiam will send you a replacement bar but there is currently a three month waiting list. The ETA for mine has been extended twice already. If Gaiam "knows" this is an issue, why have they not made improvements? I have reached out to Gaiam Customer Service a few times over the past several weeks (while waiting for my replacement bar) to find out if/when they will begin selling these chairs with an upgraded bar but have yet to receive a response (or acknowledgement) to my question.Since I have experience using an exercise ball as a chair, I still sit on this chair with the missing bar. However, a handful of times the chair has shot out from underneath me because the ball started to roll out of the base - and I use this chair at work directly atop hard wood flooring. I would highly recommend this chair for "desk jockeys" as it does encourage good posture and helps strengthen my core and lumbar regions. However, I would wait to see when/if Gaiam begins using higher quality material for the "metal" bar.

For all the 1-star reviews saying that the ball is too small...please read the directions about how to properly inflate the ball. It needs to be done in two sessions, to allow the ball to stretch to its full size. First, inflate it as far as it will comfortably go. Put the plug in. Wait a day or two. Then add more air and it will easily achieve 52cm. I effortlessly got mine too large and had to let out some air. The ball does gradually lose air over time, so it needs to be "topped off" every few months or so if using it often. The downside to this ball chair, in my household, is that the ball is NOT cat-proof. On a whim, my 18-lb cat decided to mount the ball. We heard a pop! and then a slow swishing sound. Now we just have a sad, crumpled, wad of rubber laying in the base of the chair frame. Needless to say, I'm here to purchase a replacement ball.

OK, so I rarely decide to come here and post reviews, especially negative ones. But this is one of the worst products I've ever bought from Amazon. The ball that came with this is tiny - so small that it won't actually sit in the holder for the chair and falls through to the floor, even when fully inflated. There is no way this is the correct yoga ball that is supposed to go with this chair. For comparison, it is not much larger than a standard basketball and is approximately the same size as a small little bouncing ball that my we got for my son when he was one year old and about 30 inches tall. That he still sometimes sits on and is too big for at age 2. Just really terrible. I asked my wife to buy me this gaiam balance chair because one of my colleagues has one at work that he uses for an office chair. But this one I can't really even use to sit at my coffee table . . . .(EDIT: to show the "yoga ball" is approximately the size as a ball toy for a 1 year old baby)

The chair lasted less than a month before a hole developed. The ball support rubbed up against the ball enough that you can see wear marks and eventually a hole was created. See picture attached. Do not waste your money

I bought this chair as recommended by my osteopath as something that may help me sit down, I suffer from crumbling spine, slipped and bulging discs. Once I had blown up the chair and sat on the chair I stood up quicker than I had in months, it is the most uncomfortable chair I have ever had the misfortune to sit on, especially for someone with my problems.Unfortunately the seller will not accept a return on this item as I have apparently used it for 1 day so if you do feel you wish to buy one after reading my review, please feel free to contact me, I have one for sale, I am in the UK

The bar holding the ball in place failed outwith the warranty. I tried to purchase a replacement but the supplier refused to supply, despite me being willing to pay for the replacement part. The component which failed holds the ball in place so you can move, ie pull yourself in to the desk. I am now left with a product which is useless which worked out very expensive for the short time I have had it.

Used very little for sitting only.Ball has gone down.Gaiam say that it’s not Guaranteed as I have had it for 24 months. Gosh glad I did not use it for exercise then !

This think is the best solution is you suffer from back pain. It keeps you in constant move, while sitting. You get stronger abdominal muscles.You sit higher then a normal chair, so that means you would need a higher table. Normal desks/office tables are 70cm high. With this thing, you need a table of 85-90cm high.Therefore I've bought a table with adjustable legs, the Ikea Galant. It's a perfect combination.It is really worth trying this thing then expensive chairs with neck support.