Chairs are typically pretty well-understood pieces of furniture. They’re usually not very complicated, and sitting in them is as simple as sitting down. With kneeler chairs, however, things are a little different. Learning how to sit in a kneeling chair before purchasing one is important.

With knowledge of how to sit in one, adjust it properly to your needs, and the correct way to maintain great posture, you’ll fully appreciate and enjoy the benefits of these unique pieces of furniture.

How to Use a Kneeling Chair

Kneeling chairs are a lot different than your typical computer chair. The name implies that your knees are taking the brunt of the weight, which isn’t the case. Instead, the weight is distributed evenly across your lower back and legs. Pads are included to support your shins.

How to Sit in a Kneeling Chair Illustraion of a Kneeling Chair - Chair Institute

Kneeling chairs are ideal solutions for people with lower back pain and those who want to improve their posture. However, they are most often not the only type of chair people use in their daily work.

Most users will not use a kneeling chair for computer work or for long periods. Instead, these chairs are used for quick and short-term tasks that require a steady hand and close proximity to your work.

Examples include writing by hand, drawing, drafting, or sewing. It’s not advisable to use these chairs for long periods of sitting, but it can be a great way to change your posture and take the pressure off of your back at regular intervals.

So, how do you sit correctly on a kneeling chair? Start by sitting on it like you would a normal chair. Then, move into a kneeling position and place your legs on the pads. Remember that your weight should still be primarily on your bottom.

Balancing your torso and your hips is important. When you do this, you’ll feel the muscles in your core engage. If you relax your muscles, you’ll quickly find yourself slumping, which removes any benefits the chair provides.

How to Sit in a Kneeling Chair for The First Time

When you’re learning how to sit in an ergonomic kneeling chair for the first time, it will feel a little different than you’re used to. Your body is used to the feeling of sitting in a traditional chair, which is a lot different.

How to Sit in a Kneeling Chair Benefits of Kneeling Chair - Chair Institute

Your muscles will probably feel stiff during your initial use of the chair. Specifically, the core muscles will probably feel sore after the first time, but this is normal. Doing stretches or exercises focusing on your lower back will help alleviate this feeling and enhance the benefits of your kneeling chair.

Keep in mind that the best way to sit is to change how you sit throughout the day. For this reason, it’s important to keep a traditional chair handy so you can switch between it and your kneeling chair. People using these for the first time will need to build muscle strength for more than a few minutes at a time.

How to Properly Adjust a Kneeling Chair

When you’re looking at the design of this furniture, your first thought is probably how to adjust a kneeling chair. The perfect kneeling chair will allow you to adjust the seat height and angle, but this is a rare combination in the world of ergonomic chairs. One thing that users should prioritize above all else is height adjustment.

Kneeling Chair Adjustable Height from 21 inches to 28 inches

Tall users often struggle with kneeling chairs because their legs are too long. Seeking out a chair with a wide range of height adjustments will increase the odds that you’ll find a comfortable place where the pads are properly placed on your shins.

Chairs with seat angle adjustment are excellent, but if you can’t find one within your budget, look for chairs with an angle of at least 25 degrees. Some kneeling chairs also include a swivel, but if yours does not, it’s important to adjust the chair so your work is directly in front of you.

This will prevent back injuries from twisting or turning at awkward angles to reach your work.

Variations and Options: How to Sit in a Kneeling Posture Chair

Changing your posture and position throughout the workday is a great way to engage in healthy sitting habits. Try different leg positions when using your kneeling chair to support this practice. Try sitting with your legs out in front of you, for example.

How to Sit in a Kneeling Chair Adjusting of Kneeling Chair - Chair Institute

You can also try sitting with one leg on the pad and the other on the floor. Try alternating which leg is on and off to keep your muscles from getting stiff. Don’t forget that you can also alternate between this chair and a typical office chair to keep yourself moving.

Pairing these chairs with standing desks that can adjust their height is also a perfect variation to keep your back and muscles healthy.

Benefits of Kneeling Chairs

Now that you know how to sit in a kneeling chair, you probably wonder how these adjusting and learning curves will benefit you and your health. Kneeling chairs are designed to distribute the weight between your buttocks and knees.

How to Sit in a Kneeling Chair Sit in a Kneeling Posture Chair - Chair Institute

This is better than a traditional office chair, in which your legs are at a 90-degree angle and the weight is on your buttocks and thighs. The change in weight distribution is supposed to reduce lower back pain and keep your core engaged.

These types of chairs can also benefit people with coccyx pain because they relieve pressure on the tailbone.

A Different Approach to Sitting

Learning to sit in a kneeling chair is just the first step on a journey to better posture and long-term health. These chairs offer plenty of reasons to change how you sit, even if you use them in quick bursts.

Those with lower back pain will also love kneeling chairs. We recommend trying one out if you think it could help keep you moving throughout the day, but remember to keep your office chair handy as an alternative so you can switch between the two.