The benefits of using a kneeling chair & standing desk
Workplace ergonomics is all about getting the most aligned posture and the body in a supported and comfortable position so productivity and focus is increased. Having the right equipment can make all the difference. A kneeling chair and standing desk are two pieces of equipment to consider when designing your ergonomic workstation.
When it comes to ergonomic workstations there’s a few different options available. It can be hard to determine what is best for you amongst it all. As a seating specialists, Buro has been operating in this space for over 25 years so we have a pretty good idea of what works best when it comes to choosing the best ergonomic workstation.
Explore unconventional chair options
These days many people suffer from back pain from poor posture from poor seating. Purchasing an ergonomic office chair and ensuring you have the correct office setup is an easy way to address this.
If you are looking for a standard ergonomic chair, we recommend the Buro Elan chair and Buro Mentor chair featuring Dynamic Intelligence technology. Read our blog, The technology behind the best office chair for posture to learn more.
For information on the ideal ergonomic setup using a standard ergonomic chair, read our blogs; How to set up your ergonomic workstation – 7 steps and Your desk chair & back pain relief guide.
For those looking for another option to a standard office chair, the kneeling chair could be the winning ticket.
Kneeling chairs aim to ease common back pain caused by sitting.
Kneeling chairs
What is a kneeling chair?
Kneeling chairs offer a different way of sitting to an ordinary office chair, aiming to ease the common back pain that can occur from regular sitting.
Kneeling chairs are designed to change your posture and make your lower back arch by shifting the positioning of the pelvis. This in turn, reduces pressure on the facet joints in your spine that make your back flexible.
The kneeling chair seat is angled forwards to balance the pelvis and the spine and the shin pads prevent you from slipping forwards.
How to use a kneeling chair
To use your kneeling chair correctly, most of your weight should be carried by your bottom. Sit on the seat, then rest your knees on (or slightly above) the lower pads. Slightly pressing into the lower pads provides an upward lift, helping to lengthen the spine. Some people find the initial feeling a little strange since it’s different to anything they’ve experienced before. If this is the case, then you might find it helpful to have your old chair nearby to alternate between the two, or alternate with standing, until using the kneeling chair becomes more familiar.
What are the benefits of a kneeling chair?
Kneeling chairs are said to relieve lower back pain and have become increasingly popular in recent years as people seek to improve their posture and address ongoing back issues. Kneeling chairs make you more aware of your posture and encourage core engagement to prevent slouching. Find out more information with our back pain guide.
The Buro Knee is Buro’s kneeling chair. It features a dense foam shin pad, allowing you to lean forward in a kneeling position where the front of your knees or shins rest. The knee pad is made from high density foam ensuring you’re supported with proper ergonomic cushioning.
Sitting in any type of chair for an extended period of time is not good for you. Taking regular movement breaks is one way to improve poor posture, another is to pair your kneeling chair with a standing desk. A standing desk encourages regular movement, by switching your posture between standing and sitting.
Health professionals recommend mixing up sitting with standing. They say the ideal ratio is for every 1-2 hours you sit, 1 hour should be spent standing. Try to alternate between sitting and standing every 30 to 60 minutes.
Standing desks
What is a standing desk?
Standing desks are designed to allow you to work while standing. An ergonomic standing desk should be height adjustable. You can choose from a manual height adjustment with a rotating handle to wind the desk up or down, or an electric motor that moves by pressing a button. With the electric standing desks you can program in different sit, perching or stand heights to suit you.
What are the benefits of a standing desk?
Standing desks are designed to help you burn calories and boost your metabolism. They have become increasingly popular in recent years and can be purchased for a reasonable price point.
There’s a tonne of research that shouts about the benefits of standing desks:
- Reduced back pain
- Boosted productivity
- Living longer
- Improved mood and energy levels
- A lower risk of heart disease
- A lower risk of weight gain
Underneath it all, sit stand setups can improve posture as many users claim they are more aware of their posture when working from a standing desk. Having more awareness leads to making slight adjustments to optimise posture and move more regularly.
What’s the best standing desk set up?
Sometimes standing desk users opt for an ergonomic kneeling chair, as well as a perching stool (like the Buro Polo Drafting) or a height adjustable drafting chair (see our drafting chairs). So there’s essentially three ergonomic positions you can alternate between throughout the day:
- Sitting position with the desk at its lowest level.
- Perching position with the desk at a mid level.
- Standing position with the desk at a higher level.
Whether you’re suffering from back pain, keen on being more active during the day or want to explore something different, a kneeling chair and standing desk might be right for you.
The Buro Roma chair with a drafting base can be adjusted to suit any desk height.
The Buro Polo Drafting Stool is great for perching height, that avoids any pressure on the shins.
To complete or upgrade your office ergonomic setup, purchase the Buro Knee. Find a stockist near you on our Where To Buy page.
