Sitting in a desk chair all day can be uncomfortable and even painful. Many offices budget for lower quality chairs, so they’re not made ergonomically. Comfortable chairs are expensive, which is why most offices don’t have them.
To keep yourself comfortable at work, you may need to invest in one of these alternatives. Of course, you could always swap out your chair for a more comfortable office chair, but those tend to be pricey, and you could end up paying hundreds of dollars for something that still isn’t that comfortable.
Seat Cushion
A seat cushion is a great way to add comfort to your chair without having to spend a lot of money. You can get a good seat cushion from $5 to $75 dollars, it just depends on what you’re looking for. The higher priced seat cushions are going to offer more support because they’re made out of higher quality materials, like memory foam.
The Everlasting Comfort seat cushions are great because you can purchase a set that includes both the seat cushion and a cushion for your back for only about $50.
Standing Desk
Okay, so obviously this isn’t a “seat” option, but it is a great option if you’re uncomfortable sitting down for multiple hours every day. You can set your standing desk up to be at whatever height you want, meaning you can change it from sitting to standing whenever you want.
You can also purchase a standing desk converter, which sits on top of your regular desk and moves up when you want it to be in a standing position.
Exercise Ball
An exercise ball is also a great option for work, as it will engage the muscles in your core and lower back throughout the day. The lack of a backrest (although you can get one with a backrest) promotes good posture, and if you like to fidget, you’ll be able to move up and down on the ball while you work.
You can get an exercise ball that has a base and a back, just like a regular office chair.
Ergonomic Stool
An ergonomic stool, sometimes referred to as a balance stool or an active stool, can also be a good replacement for your everyday work chair.
The ergonomic stool encourages you to half-stand with your feet on the floor. This takes the pressure off your lower back and minimizes back pain you may feel. The backrest also encourages you to engage your core and improve your posture.
Kneeling Chair
You can also try using a kneeling chair, although it may seem weird or be uncomfortable to use at first. The kneeling chair allows your spine to rest in a neutral position while your shins and knees hold most of your body weight.
Kneeling chairs don’t have backrests, as your weight is shifted forward, promoting good posture as you don’t have anything to rely on if you choose to lean backwards.
Try Different Options
Not every seating option will work for everyone, so you may need to try a few options before finding one that you really like. Depending on your body, one may be better than you for the other. For example, if you have knee or leg problems, you may not want to choose the kneeling chair.
It may take a bit of trial and error, but you’ll find the solution that best works for you, whether it’s a cushion, standing desk, ergonomic stool, kneeling desk, or something else entirely.
If your back pain persists no matter what, it may not be the fault of your chair at all. See your doctor, they may be able to help you improve your posture or find the right type of chair for your needs.
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