Kneeling chair - Think back to when you got your first desk job. What were you sitting in while you were working? Most likely, your response is an office chair, and this is probably true for about 99% of the United States population. Think of what you are currently sitting in now at your work. My guess is your answer has not changed and you are still sitting in a standard office chair. The same probably holds true for your home office as well. While most of us are still sitting in a traditional office chair, a few have begun to make the switch to kneeling chair, a revolutionary way of sitting that is making its way into more homes and offices all across the country.

Many are unfamiliar with how to use a kneeling chair and how it can be beneficial to your health. Kneeling chairs were designed upon the ergonomic concept that "a strong back is a healthy back." While only recently have knee chairs become more recognized in the business world, they were actually first designed in Northern Europe during the 1970's and are recommended by health professionals around the world. By promoting good posture, these chairs strengthen the lower back muscles helping proper spinal alignment while keeping your back positioned correctly. Kneeling chairs are an alternative form of sitting, that can be used interchangeably with your current office chair if you are looking to give your back some relief. When sitting in a kneeling chair, you will find that you are essentially forced to sit with correct posture and will notice when you begin to slump or hunch over, a bad habit that is easy to miss in a typical office chair.

The first time you use a knee chair it may feel uncomfortable and awkward which is only natural after years of sitting in a conventional office chair. Your body will need time to adapt to its new seating experience because your muscles and bones will be accustomed to sitting in one particular position. With this being said, it is perfectly normal to feel awkward when trying out your knee chair and you may even experience some stiffness. It is recommended to start off using your new kneeling chair for thirty minutes the first day, then work your way up in increments of 30 minutes each day the first few weeks until you can comfortably sit in it for eight hours a day. Once you get used to the seating position of a kneeling chair and the many benefits it offers to you, it will become effortless and seem completely natural.

There are various kneeling chair models out there, some come with back rests while others allow for a rocking motion, but all encourage sitting with an open posture. In a conventional office chair you are typically sitting at a 90 degree or less, however an ergonomic kneeling chair encourages you to sit at a 110 degree angle. The benefit of sitting in an open angled position is this allows your back to readily form to your natural curvature and relieve compression of your spine and its discs as well as tension in your lower back and leg muscles. Another benefit of adopting the kneeling seating position is that it allows your diaphragm to move efficiently and promote better breathing and blood circulation.

It is important not to let the name kneeling chair fool you. You do not want to have most of your pressure on your knees and shins as this will only lead to health problems and soreness. Your bottom should be carrying most of the weight, as it would on an office chair; the knee pads are only there for support for your shins. It is best to begin by sitting on your kneeling chair's seat pad, followed by sliding your knees into the knee pads forming a kneeling position. It is a good idea to keep your original office chair to begin with when first getting a knee chair to alternate between the two as you get used to your new seating experience. Some people like to continue alternating between the two even after awhile, which is completely normal. Ultimately, it is up to the individual whether they believe a kneeling chair would work for them, but it can not hurt to try especially if you are looking for a way to relieve some back pain or you just want to try a different way of sitting.