As time goes on and innovations in every field, there is a rising need for alternatives to ergonomic office chairs. And the need is more pronounced as individuals with desk jobs are now resuming offices.
While an ergonomic office chair is considered the best sitting solution for individuals with a desk job as it offers comfort and a lot more, some employees with a desk job are now replacing their ergonomic office chairs with alternatives. And given that there is constant research and development in providing ergonomic office solutions, a range of alternative sitting solutions is hitting the market. While some individuals with desk jobs have replaced their chairs with a yoga ball, others opt for kneeling chairs.
Kneeling chairs are becoming an increasingly popular choice of alternative sitting solution for workplaces, and you can find a lot about them and their magical benefits. While going through some of the information online, we found that most articles published on the internet may talk about the positive side of kneeling chairs, but most fail to provide a comprehensive picture for the potential users of kneeling chairs.
And that's what we intend to do in this post. In what follows, we take a closer look at all the magical benefits of using a kneeling chair. Moreover, we also look at the cons of the kneeling chair so you can know both sides of the picture, as it is essential to make the right choice. Finally, we discuss whether or not kneeling chairs make the best sitting alternative for employees with a desk job.
But before we get into the details of the pros and cons of a kneeling chair, we feel it's essential for many employees with a desk job to understand what a kneeling chair is and how it works.
So let's get started.
What is a Kneeling Chair?
The idea of the kneeling chair first appeared in the late 1970s when Buddhists used the concept as they spent long hours in meditation. Back then, kneeling chairs were made using wood; however, over the years, metal replaced wood, and the basic design evolved with extra ergonomics to provide better posture support to the users. Many manufacturers are now adding armrests to the kneeling chair for additional support.
And if you have never seen a kneeling chair before, you might assume that it's something with a cushion that allows you to kneel instead of standing or sitting.
However, that's not the case.
A kneeling chair combines a saddle seat and a regular office chair. Hence, the design of the kneeling chair features a seat back and a seat cushion. The sitting position is such that your thighs are inclined towards the floor, making an angle of 60-65 degrees, and the seat cushion supports your knees.
The kneeling chair often rocks, allowing the user to lean forward such that the weight of your body rests on your knees and shin. While you are not directly sitting on your legs, the position ensures that the most powerful muscles of your body remain active throughout the sitting session. Moreover, the position also allows you greater freedom of movement and reduces the risk of cutting off blood flow to your legs.
Even though the posture may strain your back, in reality, it supports your lumbar area as there is a forward tilt of the chair that allows the chair's back to press into and support your spine.
Overall, the posture you maintain while sitting on a kneeling chair provides comfort and a more relaxed position. It gives you more freedom to move and stretch than a traditional ergonomic office chair. However, the position can strain parts of your legs that are not used, which is one of the possible shortcomings of this type of chair.
Now that you have a basic understanding of a kneeling chair and its design, it's time to get into the details of the pros and cons of this sitting solution.
Pros and Cons of Kneeling Chair
The key benefits of kneeling chairs include the following.
Allow Opportunity for Improved Posture and Better Bodily Functions
Since the kneeling chair is designed to allow you to kneel forward, the pelvis is tilted forward, which supports improved spinal posture. Moreover, besides improving spinal alignment, this position helps improve breathing and other bodily processes, including digestion. And if you are wondering how a sitting position can influence digestion, here's an explanation.
Sitting in a kneeling position such that your pelvis is open reduces compression on internal abdominal organs, including the organs of your digestive tracts, which eventually allows your organs to perform their tasks more effectively. Hence, you experience an improvement in digestion.
Strengthens Your Core
Another magical benefit of using a kneeling chair is the strengthening of your core muscles. When you sit on a kneeling chair, your core and back muscles gradually gain strength as your position constantly engages your back and abdominal muscles. Moreover, the inclined position also helps reduce the pressure on your spine as you sit hence, strengthening your core muscles.
Distributes Weight Evenly
When your hips slide forward as you sit on a kneeling chair, the position allows a more even distribution of your weight as it helps align your back, neck, and shoulders. Apart from distributing your weight evenly, the position helps eliminate stress on the lower back and significantly reduces spinal compression.
Provides Options for Adjustments
Many kneeling chairs are ergonomically designed and allow options for adjustments. Manufacturers of kneeling chairs allow users to change the seat's height and the angle of the tilt for a more comfortable sitting.
Enhances Focus
Prolonged sitting is often associated with pain and discomfort, which can significantly disrupt work. However, using a kneeling chair can help enhance your focus by allowing you to maintain an upright spinal position. Moreover, the tilt enhances other bodily processes, and the blood circulates better, carrying more nutrients and oxygen to the brain and muscles leaving you more energized.
Cons of Kneeling Chairs
While there are several benefits associated with using a kneeling chair, there are a few drawbacks that you should be aware of.
Some of the cons of using a kneeling chair include the following.
Restricted Leg Movement
One of the most significant drawbacks of using a kneeling chair is that it restricts your leg movement. Since you are required to place your legs in the same position while you are sitting, it can be a significant discomfort for many individuals with a desk job.
Moreover, restricted leg movement during prolonged sitting can also put a lot of pressure on your knees and shins and can lead to aches and pains. While you may not experience backache, a common problem associated with prolonged sitting, pain in the shins can lead to significant discomfort.
Getting Into and Out of the Chair is Difficult
Another drawback associated with kneeling chairs is the inconvenience associated with usage. It is not easy to get into and out of the chair, which deters many individuals with a desk job from using the chair.
Can Limit Blood Circulation to Legs
Prolonged use of kneeling chairs can restrict blood circulation to your legs.
Do Kneeling Chairs Make a Great Sitting Solution?
With an insight into the pros and cons of a kneeling chair, you should be able to decide whether or not kneeling chairs make a great sitting solution.
While kneeling chairs allow you to maintain posture and bring several other advantages to your body, all the major drawbacks indicate that kneeling chairs shouldn't be your sole means of sitting at your workplace. Instead, you need to have a traditional ergonomic office chair and a kneeling chair, and you should be able to switch the position between both these sitting alternatives to maximize benefits.
However, in most workplaces, accommodating two alternative sitting solutions isn't easy. And if that's the case with your workplace, you need to look for solutions that provide the same benefits without taking up a lot of space in your office. The F1C Sit2Go 2-in-1 Fitness Chair Eco provides a great alternative to a combination of a kneeling chair and an ergonomic office chair. The fitness bike allows you to maintain an adequate sitting position while providing the flexibility to work out while you are at work to maximize health benefits.
If you are interested in finding more about alternative sitting solutions that are ergonomically designed, get in touch with FlexiSpot, your ultimate partner in providing ergonomic office solutions for your workplace.
