Working from home is a relatively new variant to our working week, but one that most of us have embraced.
The opportunity to skip the morning rush, eat what we want at lunch and skip the evening commute straight to the couch has tilted the work/life balance and put it on a much more even keel.
While we may have reassigned a corner of the home to use as an office complete with a desk and extra monitor to expand the real estate of your laptop, it’s still tricky to get a working chair right.
Classic computer chairs are fine for the office, but do you really want one of those bulky designs cluttering up your bedroom or living room? Yet without the proper support, you could be doing untold damage to your back health.
There is an alternative to an office chair for the home; the kneeling chair.
What is a kneeling chair?
Resembling a rocking chair or a massage chair, these designs have curved legs, a padded seat and back and knee pads to support your frame while in a sitting position. You can also sit on them back to front with your chest resting against the back pad if you find that more comfortable.
How does a kneeling chair promote good posture?
The idea is that the constant rocking keeps the core engaged and the curved legs mean that the body naturally slips forward, so you need to brace against the knee pads to stay in the seat. This automatically coaxes your back into adopting good posture. This design also stimulates movement and keeps joints and muscles active. According to kneeling chair specialist Back in Action, it’s all about the three essentials to healthy sitting: movement, balance and forward tilt.
Some kneeling chairs come without a backrest but will still aid posture by making the sitter rest upright to stop sliding off the angled seat and knee pads. They take a little getting used to, but you should notice fewer aches and pains after working by the day.
If you’re determined to give your back a break from slumping over the keyboard, this style of seat could be the investment you wish you’d made sooner. We’ve rounded up some of the most popular designs that won’t look out of place in the home – and many will tuck right under your desk too.
