So you landed the office job of your dreams and now you’re a bona fide desk jockey. You get to sit around all day. Sure, you still get a lot of work done, but it’s not really physical work so it’s easy, right? Ask a hundred different office workers if they consider their job to be easy and you may very well get a hundred different answers. Some office jobs are more stressful than others but not many people consider the physical stress of working in an office.
At this point, you’re probably thinking, “What could possibly be physically stressful about a desk job”? Well, have you ever considered what pressure you put on your body when you sit in the same chair for eight or more hours per day? Many office workers can tell you that sitting at a desk all day puts a whole lot of strain on the back and neck. You may even think that those who regularly exercises are immune to these problems, but the reality is that most office chairs, as comfortable as they may seem, just don’t do a lot to ease the pressure on your back, shoulders or neck.
In 1979, the original kneeling chair was invented by Hans Christian Mengshoel. Back then it was known as the Balans chair. Later, three Norwegian designers developed the kneeling chair we are all familiar with today. A kneeling chair is designed to relieve some of the pressure on the lower back by redistributing a person’s weight between their buttocks and their knees. The best kneeling chair promotes aligning your body into a completely different posture. In many ways, it opens up the body and prevents you from hunching over the desk.
So is it really the ideal chair for those forced to sit at a desk all day or is it a torture device? Many office workers who have tried to spend part or all of their working day in a kneeling chair swear that they feel a lot less back and neck pain by sitting in this odd, yet practical chair. We’ve checked out some of the best kneeling chairs that you may want to consider trying.
The Best Kneeling Chair
1Flash Furniture Mobile Wooden Ergonomic Kneeling Chair
Get your posture right with this Flash Furniture Mobile Wooden Ergonomic Kneeling Chair. This kneeling chair is the best choice for those who are tired of being hunched over at their desks all day. This chair is ergonomically crafted and it has been designed to strengthen your lower back muscles and help correct your spinal alignment. It will also help support your body’s natural posture by almost forcing you in a more natural and upright position. Both the seat and knee rest are padded for complete comfort and covered with black upholstery fabric that will look great in any office. The chair also features a natural wooden frame with a nice finish and the dual casters make it simple for you to move yourself and the chair around the office. The frame itself is also adjustable so you can set it in a comfortable position suitable to your height. If you need a comfortable chair, check out our guide to the best ergonomic office chairs.
Ergonomic design
Black fabric upholstery
Padded seat and knee rest
Height adjustment frame
Natural wood frame finish
Dual wheel casters
- BrandFlash Furniture
- ModelWL-SB-210-GG
- Weight18 pounds
2VIVOHOME Ergonomic Kneeling Chair
When you first see the VIVOHOME Ergonomic Kneeling Chair, your first thought probably isn’t comfort. It doesn’t look like it can rival a wingback armchair for comfort but you’ll be surprised when you sit on it. The ergonomic design encourages you to sit with a straight back and distributed pressure between your legs and bum. The large four-inch cushions are made from durable PU leather and are supported by a heavy-duty iron frame (with a 330lb capacity). The cushions have a memory-foam feel that remembers the shape of your bum and legs, making it more comfortable the more you sit on them. Plus, it’s mounted onto four caster wheels for easy mobility. This might not look like the most comfortable office chair around but we think you’ll change your attitude when you sit on it for the first time.
Heavy-duty iron frame
PU leather four-inch cushions
Adjustable height
Four removable casters
Weight capacity – 330lbs
- BrandVIVOHOME
- ModelVH669
- Weight19.41 pounds
3ProErgo Pneumatic Ergonomic Kneeling Chair
The ProErgo Pneumatic Ergonomic Kneeling Chair is an excellent way to improve your posture at work. Instead of the traditional office chair setup, this ergonomic design encourages you to sit up straight and keep your shoulders and neck in a positive position. It might not look like the most comfortable way to spend eight hours a day but you will notice a huge difference after a couple of weeks. For comfort, it has three-inch cushions made from soft fabric – one for your buttocks and one for your shins. These are mounted onto a strong steel frame that can handle a maximum weight of 250lbs. It also has a pneumatic pump that helps you adjust the height of the seat.
Three-inch fabric cushions
Strong steel frame
Weight capacity – 250lbs
Easy-rolling wheels
Pneumatic pump
- BrandProErgo
- Weight18.36 pounds
4DRAGONN Ergonomic Kneeling Chair
DRAGONN Ergonomic Kneeling Chair offers you comfort like you never thought possible from an unusual looking chair. This chair offers maximum with an extra thick mesh cushion that is not only soft but also breathable for cool comfort, even on long hot days at your desk. The design of the chair promotes better posture which also adds to the comfort of the chair. The metal base of this kneeling chair has been made to last with solid metal construction and can take weight up to 250 lbs. The seat can also be adjusted for different heights and the classic black color will complement any office, study, or classroom.
And for more quality pieces of furniture, check out our guide to the best accent chairs.
Maximum comfort with extra thick seat and knee pads
Tilted seat for better posture
Heavy duty strong metal base construction
Modern design with a sleek all black style
Height adjustable
- BrandDRAGONN
- ModelDNC312
- Weight18.45 pounds
5SLEEKFORM Atlanta Kneeling Chair
When you sit down on the SLEEKFORM Atlanta Kneeling Chair, your life will change forever. Everything you thought you knew about office chair ergonomics will be thrown out of the window and you’ll replace it with a new way of sitting. Despite the way it looks, the majority of your weight will still be on your buttocks. Your shins will take some of the weight but they’re only really there for balance. This way of sitting promotes perfect posture and will slowly correct any back, neck, and shoulder problems you’re experiencing. The chair features four-inch PU cushions, a sturdy steel frame, four caster wheels, and seat/height adjustability.
Sturdy steel frame
Four-inch padded cushions
Adjustable seat angle and height
Four caster wheels
Weight capacity – 265lbs
- BrandSleekform
- Weight20 pounds
6Papafix Ergonomic Kneeling Chair
Maintaining good posture at work can be difficult. Even if you’ve spent thousands on the best ergonomic office chair, you can end up leaning forward and causing yourself all sorts of neck, back, and shoulder pains. If that sounds like you, it’s time to take drastic action and change the way you think about sitting for long periods. The Papafix Ergonomic Kneeling Chair promotes good posture by making you sit upright and distributing the pressure between your buttocks and shins. It has three-inch molded foam cushions, a strong steel frame with a capacity of 250lbs, and four caster wheels for easy mobility. It might not look like the most comfortable way to spend your workday but you’ll be thanking us after a couple of weeks without pain.
Three-inch moulded cushions
Sturdy steel frame
Adjustable height and angle
Four caster wheels
- BrandPapafix
- Weight17.65 pounds
Kneeling Chair Buying Guide
Still Not Convinced?
If you’ve spent years sitting in a conventional office chair, getting used to a kneeling chair may take a bit of time and effort. You may find it a little awkward as your first day goes on, particularly as you try and shift positions. One thing you will notice when you spend a little more time in a kneeling seat is how bad your posture actually is. Even your “so-called” relaxed and natural posture won’t feel so natural anymore. In fact, sitting in an ordinary chair may give your back a good deal of support, thanks to the backrest, but your core muscles aren’t getting any activity so it’s only a matter of time before your shoulders droop and you start to hunch forward. That’s when the pain starts to creep up on you.
Sitting in a kneeling chair forces your core muscles into action which will strengthen them. Over time, this will correct your posture in a more natural way and you’ll generally start to feel better and stronger.
So what are the main benefits of sitting in a kneeling chair? The benefits go so much further than just improving your posture. If we stop and take a closer look, we can see many other benefits that include;
Relief from back pain - By distributing your body weight more evenly, there is less pressure on your lower spine. This helps to ease back pain and eventually alleviate it altogether.
Better Posture – Even the best office chairs still have you sitting in a position that often pushes your posture in an unnatural position. A kneeling chair sits you at an angle that forces you into a better posture. When you are not constantly hunching over your desk, your shoulders and neck are in a nice, tall stance and this does wonder at eliminating pain in those areas.
Stronger Core Muscles – The upright posture you get from sitting on a kneeling stool activates the muscles in your core region. These muscles are responsible for correcting your posture and strengthening the muscles in your back and around your spine. Sitting at the angle provided by a kneeling chair keep your core muscles active. Not only will you see an improvement in your core strength, but you’ll also be pleasantly surprised to see your muscle tone has improved as well.
Comfort – When you look at someone sitting in a kneeling chair it’s difficult to believe that they are actually comfortable. The chair itself looks uncomfortable and many people are reluctant to sit in them for this reason. However, once they can see past the awkward looking angles of a kneeling chair and actually try using one for a while, they are all surprised at how comfortable the chair can be.
Increased Productivity – Who would believe that you could actually work better in a kneeling chair? Poor posture can lead to discomfort and this can lead to feeling tired or fatigued. When you feel this way you are less likely to be able to concentrate and this will slow you down. By sitting in a kneeling chair, your posture and spinal alignment improve- Add to this the feeling of being comfortable and more positive will lead to better focus and the ability to get more done.
Breathe More Easily – Sitting in such an upright position with a better posture opens up your chest which makes breathing a lot easier. With all the extra oxygen coming into your lungs, you’re bound to have more energy and feel better all around.
Healthy Tips For Office Workers
Avoid having lunch at your desk. Your lunch break belongs to you and you shouldn’t need to work through lunch. Whenever you can, eat your lunch outside the office. Being out in the fresh air and sunshine will do you a world of good and you’ll come back to your desk refreshed and ready to continue working. While we’re on the topic of lunch, the last thing you want to eat if you’re stuck at a desk all day is a huge, greasy meal like a burger and fries. Keep your lunches light and nutritious with lots of salads and vegetables. If you do need to snack throughout the day, opt for fruit and nuts instead of chocolate or candy.
Instead of taking the lift when you need to take documents and memos to other departments, take the stairs. The extra movement will help you work out the kinks you get from sitting at your desk all day. Also, if you need to communicate with your colleagues, don’t make a call or send an email every time. If time permits, walk over to your workmate and convey your message in person. Not only will this get you out of your chair, but it’s also a more sociable way of dealing with the people in your office.
Stay hydrated. If you find yourself feeling fatigued at work, check your water consumption. Most office buildings have air conditioning which can really dry out the air. This, in turn, can increase feelings of dehydration. Keep a bottle of water with you at all times and don’t forget to drink regularly. Also, drink coffee in moderation. Too much coffee will give you the jitters and you may actually feel more fatigued and less focused once the caffeine starts to wear off. Enjoy your coffee, but substitute your favorite hot beverage with a cup of herbal tea a couple of times a day.
Try and stretch. Regardless of the type of chair you sit in at work, you should try and stretch a few times a day. Pay particular attention to your neck and shoulders as these are the areas where you feel the most pressure in a desk job.
If you need to make and receive a lot of phone calls throughout the day, take some of those calls standing up. The person on the other end of the line can’t see what you’re doing and your focus is on the call so you won’t be able to do much else. You may as well use the time to stand up and move around your desk instead of just sitting at it.
Choosing the best kneeling chair for yourself isn’t about what looks the best so don’t automatically select a chair simply because you think it will match the rest of the décor in your office. Try actually sitting in a few different types of kneeling chairs so you can get a good feel for them and then choose the one you think offers the best level of comfort and convenience. If you have bad knees, choose a kneeling chair with thick cushioning in the knee pads and seat. If you have a relatively large desk, make sure your kneeling chair has castors so you can roll around your work area.
If you are considering getting yourself a kneeling chair, there are some things you should consider. As comfortable as they are, it’s not a good idea to sit in a kneeling chair for hours on end. Sitting in a kneeling position can also cause discomfort over long periods so consider alternating between a conventional chair and a kneeling chair. Don’t stop there though. Whenever possible, stand up and walk around the office. Even if it’s just to go to the bathroom or get a cup of coffee, get up as often as your job allows.
Once you get used to sitting in an ergonomic kneeling chair, you’ll stop seeing them as a torture device and you’ll begin to enjoy feeling strong and healthy in your seat. It may very well become your favorite chair in and out of the office.
