Kneeling Chair

The kneeling chair offers a fundamentally different approach to seated work by tilting the pelvis forward and distributing the user's weight between a seat cushion and padded knee rests. This forward-leaning posture naturally opens the hip angle to approximately 110 degrees, which encourages the spine to maintain its natural lumbar curve without relying on a backrest. Developed in the 1970s by Norwegian designer Peter Opsvik, the kneeling chair challenges conventional seating wisdom and has developed a devoted following among users seeking relief from traditional chair-related back pain. While the kneeling chair excels at engaging core muscles and promoting an upright posture, it is best used as a complement to rather than a replacement for a traditional ergonomic chair. Extended use can place pressure on the shins and knees, and the lack of a backrest means there is no support during moments of relaxation or recline. Most ergonomic experts recommend rotating between a kneeling chair and a conventional chair throughout the day, using the kneeling position for active, focused tasks and switching to a standard chair for longer, more relaxed work periods.