It’s a keen pleasure to witness changing trends of a healthy work environment in which kneeling chair vs standing desk is the undecided debate for now undoubtedly.
An unseen war going on through which each is hyped as the most perfect and healthier option for regular daily office use while further arguments related to healthy sitting tangled up the situation.
Kneeling Chair Vs Standing Desk
Some proponents believe that standing desks are gradually replacing kneeling chairs as the most popular office furniture while it’s not completely wrong. Standing desks are acclaimed and trusted to contribute immensely to a healthy office environment and also prevent from harmful health effects of long hours of sitting.
On the contrary kneeling chairs are praised highly and considered the best office furniture even at this time, so what is true? Which is the overrated one? Or which option is good for daylong office work?
What do you think is better standing desks or kneeling chairs? What’s the reason for standing desks’ sudden popularity? Or does even the distribution of body weight benefit the human body?
Are you confused? Let this confusion be settled once and for all by comparing these two office furniture opponents, bear with us till the end:
Why they both are so popular as Office Furniture?
In general, most office timings are between 8 to 10 hours, although the standard states simply 8 hours as excessive working time may drag you to develop health problems or injuries.
Experts always discourage the lousy idea of prolonged sitting, endorsing regular breaks in which they recommend performing desk stretching to ease muscle fatigue and back pain. Whereas, many people think it is impossible to roam around as most of the time they can’t go far from their desks due to the immense workload.
The awareness helps people to adopt the trend of a healthy working place which is why they start using kneeling chairs and standing desks in offices.
Kneeling chair vs standing desk – Which is the Best?
Speaking of the comparison, both (kneeling chair & standing desk) indeed proposed their benefits as they are designed to keep pressure, fatigue, and pain at bay.
These furniture figures are somewhat equal, certainly, in combating countless health issues triggered by desk-bound lifestyles, this is why both are considered among the best office furniture.
Pro Tip: Fairly, both pieces of furniture are designed according to modern-day health issues of office-going people, indeed they serve the purpose well.
Although kneeling chairs and standing desks have different serving features that attract people with diverse health concerns, circumstances, and personal preferences. For example, if you want to be active at the office so you may like to go with a standing desk to avoid putting pressure on your knees – on the other side people with weak/paining legs or feet might go with a kneeling chair to help stave off foot pain.
The stand-up desk seems to be popular nowadays because these desks give a good boost to metabolism as well as assist to burn calories resulting in no-exercise weight loss. However, a standing desk grants you the option of working in a standing position but as these are adjustable so you can sit using a perching stool or chair.
Besides, the valuable benefit of a stand-up desk is it improves wholesome body posture and encourages maintaining it.
Good posture is vital for great spinal health, however, regular breaks are a must to get moving whether it is at a standing desk or kneeling chair.
Kneeling chairs, however, helps to maintain a proper lower back curve by tilting forward the pelvis, it prevents pressure and lower back pain. The amazing bodyweight distribution structure of this seating makes it super healthy and comfortable along it is claimed that the chair provides relief from hip pain.
Kneeling chair vs. standing desk is like you are comparing the most beneficial between apples and oranges. Ultimately, it depends on the human body what is the best fit for prime comfort.
In case you are already suffering from lower back pain so the kneeling chair could be a saver – if your body is all active and strong, seeking a healthy option that ensures overall posture as well as prevents neck and back pain, a stand-up desk can be a good chance.
Keeping that in mind, let’s get started with a fair approach to pact the debate by weighing up the most numbers of advantages and disadvantages of both opponents.
Kneeling Chairs – Pros & Cons
The supporters and users of kneeling chairs vow the benefits offered by the seating also insisting it to be the finest way to ease the damage on the neck and lower back caused by other task chairs. Whereas, some think otherwise, the most obvious fact that needs to be addressed is that prolonged sitting produces several issues and so does long-time standing.
Let’s dig into the pros of a kneeling chair:
- Posture Correction
One of the best health benefits offered by the kneeling chair framework is a correct posture which you do not even get with a high-standard ergonomic office chair. The rare design does not leave you the option of a neutral posture but only offers a natural spine curve resulting in a proper healthy sitting posture.
- Avert Back Pain
It is one of the major reasons people consider buying a kneeling chair as the chair pushes a natural posture that drastically reduces back pain in a short time. You will undeniably enjoy getting rid of severe lower back pain that is specifically linked with sitting in office chairs.
The kneeling chair also helps to relieve back pain similarly it prevents foot and leg pain.
- Weight Distribution
By shifting the body weight to other parts the chair helps in reducing compression or tension from back muscles. The rare framework of the chair works great to ease the tension of the neck, shoulder, and back muscles instead of enabling the quad muscles to work a bit.
- Better Hip Angle
A kneeling chair sets thighs & knees slightly down to improve the angle of the hip and takes up from the typical 90 degrees to 110 degrees, which is supposed to be the best hip angle to prevent any pain caused.
- Improved Blood Circulation
The chair not only encourages proper posture but also stimulates better blood flow because of improved posture and less compressed parts all over the body.
The improved hip angle offers great support to the back, buttocks, and thighs, with adequate support the upgraded angle provides lesser squashed parts and also prevents internal organ compression, as a result, it increases blood circulation.
It also helps with improved breathing and better digestion. Kneeling chairs ensure internal organs are not compressed so that they perform the healthy functioning that is supposed to.
- Building Core Muscles & Weight loss
The kneeling angel at work ensures your core and back muscles work properly, hence it strengthens muscle tissues to work for spinal protection assuring a healthy spine all through the day. While sitting and doing the task also assists you with burning calories which is the best advantage of sitting we have heard so far.
- Limited Motion
Out of three types of kneeling chair in the market (5-star based, sled based & x-based) sled based is the only one offer flexible movement while working. Whereas most kneeling chairs available in the market are x-based and 5-star based which allows movement in one position.
However, taking frequent breaks to move around and stretching your legs is a good solution to go with this.
- Difficulties
Contrary to sitting and getting up on the regular chair, the impractical design of the kneeling chair is not easy to start with. Take start with a slow pace as you need some time to get used to getting up and sitting on the chair, which is rather normal.
Due to limited leg movement, the blood circulation declination in the legs is a factor of concern.
- Cause Pressure on other Body Areas
The kneeling angle increased the pressure on knee caps and shins while bending also causes low blood circulation. Similarly, if you are unaware and sit incorrectly on the kneeling chair it causes great pressure on your knees, shins, and legs.
Standing Desk – Pros & Cons
Stand-up desks do have so much to like and dislike too, yet again the matter of whether they are a good choice or not should be decided on the merits and demerits, which are as follows:
- More Active at Work (Productive)
To avoid the negative effects of sitting, the stand-up desk is good manufacturing, keeping you safe from all the harmful issues of sitting. It promotes an active standing position which allows activity as well as encourages easy movements.
With more active, energy in your mind and body you will be productive at your work. The active body and great level of energy while standing to encourage you to move back and forth which increases blood flow. Positive energy not only boost your mood but also eases fatigue.
- Adjustable
Unlike a kneeling chair, the standing desk features the finest flexibility and adjustability, even a kneeling chair and exercise equipment can be paired/adjusted with a stand-up desk if you feel like it.
With so many options in the market what makes us overwhelm is the fact that two persons can easily share a standing desk that serves well for presentations, meetings, etc.
- Source of Weight Loss
Shocked? You can burn 0.15 calories in just a minute on average while standing, so got the rest?
It’s a kicking highlight of this desk that makes some people fall in love with it.
- Risk Factors
A standing desk, however, is a piece of less risky furniture but too much standing may cause several health hazards.
It is although impossible to stand straight for hours, standing even for short period will cause stiffness, pain, and pressure. Standing for hours puts straight pressure on knees and ankles, and you may end up with joint soreness and damaged joints at worst. Stretching or sitting breaks help to stop worsening the condition.
Elderly people should completely ignore standing desks.
- Not Suitable for Laptop Users
The standing desk is made to accommodate desktop computers, however, you can use it for any suitable equipment functioning as well.
Yet some people use it to work on laptops but it causes them big discomfort/stress in the neck, shoulder, and wrists.
Final Words
Although you can’t get your eyes off the benefits and demerits of both Standing desks and kneeling chairs regarding that unsolved myth the uncertainty is still there.
Along with some precaution and consideration, it can be concluded that both are the perfect option for a healthy work environment. Besides, we should not ignore that the human body reacts differently & have diverse tolerance level to the environment, scenarios, working stress, and discomfort/comfort.
Hopefully, you like the post and learned something about both furniture figures, you may comment and tell us if you want information related to any other office furniture or so.
Best wishes!
Related Links: