Why Are Kneeling Chairs Good for You?

What is a Kneeling Chair?

Kneeling chairs offer an alternative to sitting in a traditional chair. Why is that important? Because sitting in a traditional chair can cause a number of negative health issues including weight gain and heart disease.

Furthermore, research has found that too much standing can be bad for overall health and that it is best to combine a standing desk with sitting time. That does not mean that you have to sit in an uncomfortable position using a regular office chair that cramps up your joints and organs and causes back pain. 

Kneeling chairs were first developed around 50 years ago in the United States. They are designed to offer a different kind of sitting experience with different angles than the typical office chair offices.

As opposed to the 90 degree angles that a traditional sitting position offers, a kneeling chair gives users a 110 degree angle from buttocks to back and a 60 to 70 degree angle from the thighs and hamstrings to the shins and ankles. 

The hips and pelvis are moved forward and the shins and knees will rest on the padded portion of the kneeling chair.

This design evenly distributes the weight around the body which reduces tension and compression in the joints and other parts of the body. In addition, there are other types of kneeling chairs that are even better for you like rocking kneeling chairs and ergonomic kneeling chairs. 

Why are Kneeling Chairs Good for You?

There are a lot of reasons that kneeling chairs are good for you. They distribute weight evenly and allow the back to remain in its natural position. The effect of this is generally positive and good for overall health in several ways. 

First, it is good for posture and back pain. Good posture can provide a number of health benefits because it allows the spine and organs to remain upright in their natural position. This can help with digestive health, breathing and oxygen levels, and back and hip pain. 

The reduction and prevention of back pain is the most recommended reason that kneeling chairs are good for users. When you sit in a kneeling chair, the spine maintains its natural curvature. This reduces back pain as well as neck and shoulder pain.

The weight of the body is evenly distributed. Then relieves tension on the back, buttocks, and core. In addition, there is no way to easily slouch during the workday when you sit in a kneeling chair. This can help you prevent further pain in the back or other issues related to posture.  

A kneeling chair opens up the hips and reduces the tension around the hip joints. The weight is taken off the hips in a kneeling chair.

In a traditional chair, the hips and buttocks take a substantial amount of weight that can cause deterioration over time. The options that have saddle seats will also help to improve range of motion and flexibility in the hip and leg areas. 

Better posture means that the organs are not compressed. When you use a kneeling chair, you may find that you have improvement in the normal function of your internal organs including the lungs and intestines. 

When we sit upright in a kneeling chair with good posture, we are able to improve gut health. This can help with digestion and help to make the body work easier. This may help you avoid problems like stomach cramps or constipation. 

Breathing will also become easier when you sit in a kneeling chair. Oxygen is necessary for life and health and sitting in a traditional office chair can take away your ability to consume the oxygen that you need for improved health. 

An increased oxygen supply means more oxygen in the brain. This can help with productivity because you will be able to think more clearly. In addition, the reduction in pain can help to improve productivity as well. This is because pain is thoroughly distracting. 

Another final reason that kneeling chairs are good for you is that they can improve your blood circulation. This increases nutrients around the body and in the brain. This may help to increase your energy levels and improve your mood. 

Read More >> Kneeling Chair Benefits

Why are Rocking Kneeling Chairs Good for You?

Rocking kneeling chairs offer the same benefits to you and your health as other kneeling chairs, but are also good for you for a couple of additional reasons. A rocking kneeling chair is a kneeling chair that rocks back and forth on the floor. 

Rocking kneeling chairs promote active sitting which can be extremely good for you. When we sit, we are generally not doing anything active.

This is especially true when it comes to traditional office chairs. An active sitting kneeling chair that rocks back and forth will allow you to move while working. Movement and exercise are some of the best things that you can do for both physical and mental health. 

In addition, using a rocking kneeling chair can improve your core strength which can be good for you in a couple of other ways. Improving core strength can protect you against injury and bothersome aches and pains.

It can also allow you to keep your posture upright and natural for a longer period of time while standing or sitting. This helps you obtain the health benefits associated with good posture. 

Read More >> Best Rocking Kneeling Chairs (2021 Review)

Why are Ergonomic Kneeling Chairs Good for You?

Ergonomic kneeling chairs can also be great for you because they offer some additional features and better functionality.

They are more adjustable than standard types of kneeling chairs. This means that you can match your body type which can add health benefits and comfort. Having a kneeling chair that is the right size is crucial to making sure that you use it correctly. 

Many ergonomic kneeling chairs also have lumbar support features. This can provide even better benefits for the back, neck, and shoulders. Lumbar support can help provide your back with natural curvature and offer comfort and support. It 

Finally, a lot of ergonomic kneeling chairs also offer saddle seats. These are seats that are shaped like a saddle for comfort and natural support for the back and buttocks. They are good for the back, even more so than standard types of kneeling chair seats. 

Some ergonomic kneeling chairs also have backrests. While this is not the most beneficial feature because of the position that you would be sitting in regardless, it can provide a good place to rest your back.

Some also have depth adjustment so that the size of your buttocks and body can fit right up to the backrest which will ensure that you always have good posture while using the kneeling chair. 

Many ergonomic options also have knee pad height adjustment. This is a great feature for people who have short or long legs because it allows you to customize the ergonomic kneeling chair perfectly for your needs. 

Read More >> Best Ergonomic Kneeling Chairs (2021 Review)

Can Kneeling Chairs be Bad for You?

Kneeling chairs are good for you in a number of ways, but they have to be used correctly or they can actually be bad for you. Improper use can cause a number of issues. First, it is crucial to get a kneeling chair that is the right size. 

A kneeling chair that is too small will not allow enough leg room and can also cause you to sit awkwardly on the seat.

This can increase back pain and can make it possible to slouch or slump while using the kneeling chair. A kneeling chair that is too large can cause problems as well. If you are sitting on the edge of the seat or have to reach to fit your legs onto the knee pads then your chair is likely too large. 

Another thing to consider is the mobility that a kneeling chair offers. A lot of people find that they cannot use a kneeling chair and comfortably reach all of their work materials.

It is important to ensure that the kneeling chair positions you in such a way to comfortably reach your keyboard, see your monitor, and reach any additional materials  you may need. 

There are some kneeling chairs that offer increased mobility with the use of swivels and caster wheels. However, you also want to make sure that you are usually in the chair facing straight ahead with an upright position that provides good posture. 

Finally, poor seat cushions or shape can also cause uneven support or not enough support for the back and body. While there are tons of great options that have highly beneficial seat cushions, you do want to make sure that your seat is comfortable.

It is also a good idea to find one that has a seat that can be tilted slightly forward. This will allow you to be more comfortable staying in the natural position for the body and the spine. 

Final Thoughts on Why Kneeling Chairs are Good for You

Kneeling chairs can be good for you in several different ways. They provide a design that helps to maintain the natural curvature of the spine and distributes your weight around. Here are the best kneeling chairs we've found.

It also reduces compression on the internal organs and joints that can reduce pain, improve breathing, and help with easy digestion. Just be sure to get a kneeling chair that works for you and your body size.