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3 Comfortable Kneeling Chairs for Back Pain Relief
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3 Comfortable Kneeling Chairs for Back Pain Relief

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It's no secret that sitting in a standard chair for long periods of time can (will?) ruin your back. But, some of us have to learn it the hard way.

An old back injury (that never really bothered me in my teens and 20s) came back to haunt me in my 30s after I took a job sitting at a computer for 8 hours a day.

My brother suggested that I seek out ergonomic kneeling chairs for back pain. After a couple days of trying one, I can truly say that this style of kneeling chair (or ergonomic kneeling “stool”) saved both my life and my job.

You might find relief from symptoms like these with an ergonomic kneeling chair:

  • Back pain and discomfort
  • Poor posture
  • Numbness in your legs and feet
  • Tension in your neck and shoulders

Other benefits include improved blood circulation, energy, and focus.

In this article I'd like to share with you what I've learned about using ergonomic kneeling chairs for back pain, and offer three recommendations to get you started on your own search.

At the end of the article, I also suggest a few more affordable “starter chairs” for those of you who'd like to try this style of kneeling/sitting, but are on a budget. I also add a few good places online to continue your search.

*(You can click those links above to jump ahead to my suggestions. Or, read on to learn more about how ergonomic kneeling chairs work and what to look for.)

Why Kneeling Chairs For Back Pain

What's wrong with sitting in a regular office chair? They're comfy and supportive, right?

Well, the problem with all standard western chairs is that they put our thighs at a right angle (90º) with our back and torso. This not only takes our lower back (lumbar spine) out of its natural curve, but it slightly strains our lower back muscles to maintain that position. This encourages us to hunch and constrict our muscles and body into an unnatural position.

Over time, that “slight strain” can take a serious toll.

While some people might find relief and support from a lumbar support or pillow of some kind, many of us who already have some back issues or pain need something else to relieve that stress.

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The key is better posture.

Kneeling chairs work by opening up that angle between our legs and back. This allows the lumbar spine to ease into its more naturally supportive shape, and the muscles to relax back into a more supportive level of tension.

We can even strengthen our supporting “core” muscles in this kneeling posture.

Office chairs with and without lumbar supports remove the need to use those muscles, making them weaker for lack of use, or forcing us to use other muscles to compensate, and leading to other problems.

I think this young woman explains it pretty well, with a little “how to” — kneeling chairs require a little attention to how you sit in them:

I'll reiterate some of her points below.

How to Select the Best Kneeling Chair — Use & Designs

There are a few things you should know about kneeling chair use and designs before selecting the best kneeling chair for you.

Movement

First of all, remember that human bodies are designed for motion, not for sitting still all day. The best ergonomic kneeling chairs are designed to accommodate some motion, but even then you'll want to get up and move around every few hours.

You might want to choose a kneeling chair on a swivel, or with wheels to allow for more movement.

Sit On Your Butt

Even when sitting in a kneeling posture chair, your weight should be carried mostly on your butt — not your knees, as if you were kneeling on the ground. This can lead to discomfort in your knees.

So, seat adjustment is important. You should be able to angle the seat such that you feel more like you're sitting than kneeling. It takes a little practice and getting used to how to position oneself properly in a kneeling chair.

Some of the cheaper “starter” chairs adjust both the height and seat angle at the same time. The higher you make the seat, the more likely you'll slide forward such that most of your weight is on your knees. Taller and heavier users will want to insure they can both the height and seat angle for the best support, posture, and comfort.

Good Padding

If you find yourself sliding forward and putting your weight on your knees, be aware that cheap padding can flatten out to nothing, or “bottom out” after several months of sitting in your kneeling chair. Memory foam in the seat and knee pads will last longer and prevent knee discomfort.

Back Support

Theres one thing you'll usually see missing from the average kneeling chair: back supports. These are not completely necessary for proper posture and support. It's healthier to be able to maintain your posture with muscles and positioning alone.

However, kneeling chair back supports can serve as both a gentle reminder to people who “slouch” badly to pull that back in and straighten up, or as a nice rest for people who will be sitting in the chair for extended periods.

Kneeling Chairs Reviews

One great advantage to shopping online for kneeling chairs: reviews.

Be sure to read what specific customers say about each kneeling chair. Reviews on shopping sites will reveal the subtleties about how the above factors in each chair might affect you. A customer with the same height and weight as you can warn you away from a chair that might better suit a larger or smaller person.

After you've had your kneeling chair a while, pay it forward. Be sure to leave helpful reviews of your own kneeling chairs. Back pain sufferers do each other a favor as a community by doling out a little experienced advice. (Like I'm doing here.) 😉

Here's another good article on how to size a kneeling chair that fits well, and how to sit in an ergonomic kneeling chair.

3 Good Ergonomic Kneeling Chairs

Now that you have a sense of what to look for, here are my three suggestions for good ergonomic kneeling chairs for back pain.

I've selected these based on their superior reputations and combinations of features, and I list them in order of price (most expensive first).

I've also added a category of “starter kneeling chairs” for those of you who are on a tighter budget, or who want to try the designs out before making a bigger financial investment in an ergonomic kneeling chair.

There are several retail shops and stores online where you can buy kneeling chair. Amazon has a very wide selection, so I've linked these recommendations to their product pages for your shopping convenience, and to see specific customer reviews.*
(If you'd prefer stores other than Amazon, I link to a few other reputable online shops to buy kneeling chairs below.)

Varier Variable Balans Kneeling Chair

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Price: $399~$649 Online
Company: Varier Furniture

Pros: Adapts to subtle shifts in position; Separate knee supports provide ideal positioning and range of motion, and easy access

Cons: Somewhat pricey; no rollers on base

The Varier Variable Balans Kneeling Chair is often called “the Original Kneeling chair”. Designed 30 years ago by Peter Opsvik, and distributed by Stokke, it is also commonly known as the “Swedish kneeling chair” and the “Stokke kneeling chair”.

ergonomic kneeling chair for back pain

The combination of the rocking base and the open split-legged front allows for the greatest possible movement while working.

While reaching forward or leaning back, the base rocks to align with your new position. This insures you are still balancing your weight on your seat. It also brings your supporting core muscles into play, promoting circulation and strength.

The separate knee supports mean your legs are held in the ideal, slightly “opened” position. This also allows you to easily stretch a leg forward for better support while reaching, and provides an easier way to get in and out of the chair.

The Varier Variable Balans Kneeling Chair comes in a variety of colors to suit various work and living environments. The kneeling chair back support option is available in the more expensive models.

Jobri Jazzy Kneeling Chair

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Price: $399~$411 Online
Company: Jobri

Pros: Back support; Memory Foam; height adjusts independent of seat angle; Wheels like a traditional office chair

Cons: Somewhat pricey; Cannot adjust seat angle or leg rests

My favorite advantage of the Jobri Jazzy Kneeling Chair is that adjusting the height doesn't affect the seat angle.

The seat angle and knee rests have been optimized for “average leg lengths” and are not adjustable. While this can be a drawback for some taller and shorter users, the so-called “average” user can adapt by adjusting their position on the seat.

Caster wheels on the aluminum base, and gas lift height adjustment controlled by levers under the seat, make this truly an office kneeling chair — more like the standard chairs you'd find in an office.

The Jobri kneeling chair, however, ups the game on this sturdy construction. This kneeling chair add a standard back support for those days you'll sit for long hours. Memory foam in the seat and knee rests rounds out the design for long-lasting customized comfort.

Jobri kneeling chairs come in black, blue, grey, red, & lime green.

SLEEKFORM Ergonomic Kneeling Chair

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Price: $96~$119 Online
Company: SLEEKFORM

Pros: Extra thick padding; Seat angle keeps weight off knees; affordable

Cons: No color options; Might not accommodate very short or very tall people

The extra padding and affordable price make the SLEEKFORM Ergonomic Kneeling Chair an extremely popular option on Amazon, with plenty of reviews to confirm whether or not it's the ergonomic kneeling stool for you.

The extra thick padding in both the chair and the knee pads not only provide more comfort, but extend the life of the chair by reducing the chances of the padding “bottoming out”, or wearing down to the hard supports.

However, some users suggest that the extra padding also makes it a less than ideal shape and fit for people shorter than 5'5″ and taller than 6'0″.

The seat is angled such that there is less of a “sliding” effect when opening the chair and adjusting the height for taller people. (A common problem with many of the “starter kneeling chairs” that I mention below.) It starts at a shallow angle a little more parallel to the floor, which insures you're carrying your weight more on your bottom than your knees.

Unfortunately, just like Ford's Model T, “you can get it in any color you want, as long as that's black.” From the satisfaction rating online, however, I guess a lot of people like black. Comfort and affordability know no colors.

“Starter” Kneeling Chairs

I'm adding this section because I realize that the two main suggestions above might be out of many people's price range. Price shouldn't be a limiting factor when you're trying to find relief from back pain.

These options provide many of the relieving benefits of other ergonomic kneeling chairs—for back pain, posture correction, comfort, etc—but, may have limitations in adjustability, life span, and quality.

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MallBoo Wooden Ergonomic Kneeling Chair
I recently found this cheaper alternative of the Balans Kneeling Chair design by MallBoo. It has a similar rocker design for the base. The original design had a split knee rest like the Varier Variable Balans Kneeling Chair, but they have since changed it to the bench-style knee rest. The white color is classy, and the wood base comes in both pecan and white-oak colors. At about $110, this is a significant discount over the Varier brand design that it originally imitated.

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Flash Furniture Wooden Ergonomic Kneeling Chair
This is the first kneeling chair that I bought which sold me on kneeling chairs. The vary basic design adjusts for height by opening up or closing. You might tend to slide more of your weight onto your knees at the highest setting. The knee rest pad may begin to wear down after several months of regular use. I've found it online for around $80.

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Boss Office Products Ergonomic Kneeling Stool
For the super budget-conscious, you might try this cheaper model from Boss. Like a conventional office chair, it offers an easy gas-lift seat height adjustment at the touch of a lever, and rolls on coasters. Solid reviews on Amazon make it worth a serious look. Runs about $60.

3 Good Places to Buy Kneeling Chairs

Here are a few other shops online for those of you who might not like Amazon:

  • AppliancesConnection.com: for kneeling desk chairs
  • Hayneedle.com: for office kneeling chairs
  • Wayfair.com: for kneeling ergonomic office chairs

Conclusion

I hope this article has shown you that you have many options for good ergonomic kneeling chairs for back pain. Kneeling chairs have significantly improved the quality of my work and life, and I hope they will do the same for you.

If you have any questions for me, or even suggestions for other people about good ergonomic kneeling chairs, please add them to the comments below. I look forward to hearing from you.

~ Scott

*Affiliate Disclaimer:

<p style="padding-left: 30px; padding-right: 30px; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-character;"><em><strong>Disclosure:</strong> 3GoodOnes.com is a professional review site. Some of the links in this post are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission for your purchase. (e.g., As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.) It is my hope that this post leaves you so well informed, that you won't mind that very much.</em></p>

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22 Comments

  2. Matts Mom

    You know, I never thought about a kneeling chair before. But this looks to be a great idea! I can see where it would help and as I read the article I began to sit up straighter in my chair not using the back LOL. The kneeling chair, I think, would make you sit up straighter because you don’t have the back of the chair to slouch against. Thank you for sharing. I plan to check your choices out!

    • Scott

      Funny how just the mention of our posture brings our attention back to it! 😀

      Thanks for stopping by. Come ’round again and let us know if you pick one up, and how it’s working out for you.

      ~Scott

  3. Ramandeep

    Hello Scott,

    Interesting to learn about a different kind of chair, I have always been using the regular chair as well and have had back issues for a while. These chairs look perfect for training the back but looks like you require a bit of practice to get used to it. Also back needs to get used to sitting without back support as our back becomes lazy with support and no movement in that area causes pain. I will definitely consider your recommendation, thank you for sharing.

    Cheers
    Raman

    • Scott

      You might be surprised at how little time it takes to get used to. It is quite natural for the back, since it is very similar to standing up. But, you are right about how lazy our backs become. Even in this natural position, you might find a tendency to start to slouch. Fortunately, the lack of a back rest reminds us to straighten up pretty quickly.

      Thanks for reading and commenting!

      ~Scott

  4. Brent

    Well, that was awesome!! I had never heard of these before but it could help my wife out when she does her calls at her desk. I will be forwarding this on to her and see what the thinks. Would love to go to somewhere where they have one and try its out.

    • Scott

      Great, Brent!

      I’ve seen them in stores like “Relax the Back” and a few office furniture stores, but I find that they are mostly available online.

      I hope you and your wife find a place and get to try it out! I’m sure she’ll like it.

      Thanks for reading and checking in.

      ~ Scott

  5. Jay Parker

    You know, I’ve always had these type of chairs in the back of my mind for years. My father was an old fashioned draftsman (old school pencils and rulers type) back in the 80’s and I remember him getting one of these and he loved it.
    Never got around to asking him how long it took for him to “get used” to it, and whether or not it was more or less difficult to roll around in it. I ask, because I have several computers along a desk area that I tend to roll left and right to and fro. Could you comment on that? I think I would love to have one.

    • Scott

      Sure, Jay.

      It doesn’t take much time to get used to. Most people I’ve talked to “get it” in the first sitting session. It’s an absolutely natural way to sit. I think that perhaps the worst slouchers might take a few more sessions to get used to it. And once you do, you might find yourself sitting straighter in your standard office chair as well.

      As for wheeling around, I think that will take more getting used to than actually sitting in the chair does.
      Since your feet are pointing downward, it takes some “twinkle-toes” style dexterity, like the Flintstones driving their prehistoric cars. 😉

      But, the chair I use is on coasters as well, and I slide up and down my desk from my computer to filing cabinet and back all the time, with no problems.

      Hope that helps. Thanks for reading and checking in!

      ~Scott

  6. Kyoko

    I actually have never heard about a kneeling chair, before, but this chair looks really great for someone like me who sits in the chair almost all day long! I totally agree that we should be able to support our backs with our muscles and positioning. However, I always lean on the back support that makes me slouchy and on top of that, I cross my legs! I don’t have much back pain yet, but my poor posture is one of my big concerns.

    The kneeling chair would definitely help me stop crossing my legs, and make me sit straight. Glad to come here to get this information. Thank you so much!

    • Scott

      You’re welcome!

      Remember, even in a kneeling chair, and with good posture, we still need to get up and move around. Humans were not designed for sitting all day.

      Thanks for reading and commenting!

      ~ Scott

  7. Brandon

    I like the suggestions you’ve mentioned here. The SLEEKFORM Ergonomic Kneeling Chair would have to be my favorite since it’s highly affordable and gets the job done just fine. I like the thick padding. The one color option doesn’t faze me too much, and neither does the short/tall problem because I am average height 🙂 Great job on the review, thanks a bunch.

    • Scott

      You’re welcome, Brandon. Thanks for checking in!
      ~Scott

  8. Kelly Abercrombie

    Thank you for sharing this. It helps me understand the difference of an ordinary ergonomic chair and ergonomic kneeling chair.

    • Scott

      You’re welcome, Kelly. I’m glad it was helpful!
      Thanks for checking in. 🙂

      ~ Scott

  9. Niloy

    this is a wonderful article about kneeling chair. hope it will very much helpful for viewers.
    Wish you good luck.

    • Scott

      Thanks, Niloy. The best of luck to you and your website as well!
      ~ Scott

  10. Henry Nicholas

    It is helpful. I really understand the difference between general chair and kneeling chair from this articles. Can kneeling stools help with lower back aches? Thanks a lot for sharing this great articles.

    • Scott

      You’re welcome, Henry.

      Kneeling stools are only PART of the process of maintaining a healthy lower back — especially after suffering some injury or other problems.

      I’d recommend checking in with your medical advisor, doctor, or chiropractor, but kneeling stools are better than traditional chairs in general.

      Thanks for checking in!

      ~ Scott

  11. Joy

    I just had my patella tendon ripped off my knee cap in a freak accident and contemplating when I have to go back to work from home what will be the best chair for my back pain and knee pain now this maybe a contender thanks for the feedback on it.

    • Scott

      Oh goodness, Joy!
      I sure hope you recover well from that horrible injury!
      I can’t tell you what these will do for your knee, but perhaps with the proper cushioning, this will help alleviate your discomfort in both your back and knee.
      Good luck, and to the best of your health,
      ~ Scott

  12. Juan Pedro Sanchez

    I’ve spent many years working in front of a computer and naturally, I developed some lower back pain. After performing a ergonomic evaluation, someone suggested the use of a ergonomic chair similar to the kneeling chair described above. What I can say is that this has really made a difference. Changing posture and forcing my body to change the way it remains inactive for several minutes a day has truly changed my life! Your post is a vivid reminder of how little things can have a big impact on our lives.

    • Scott

      Hi, Juan.
      Yes! I’m glad you found some relief with it yourself. Thanks for checking in and commenting!
      ~ Scott