Evolutionary data shows that the world's healthiest people sit 10 hours a day. Here's why your comfortable chair is the real problem, and how to fix it.
I've used a QOR360 stool for about 7 years now, and love it (I'm sitting on it now). https://qor360.com/ No backrest, and the seat pivots so you need to use your core to keep a stable position.
These are the ones I use at home and office and the ones I have recommended to dozens of patients : https://www.upliftdesk.com/. It has fixed many a low back pain issue.
I sit on one of these saddle chairs for most of the day. I will still switch back to my regular office chair periodically if my low back gets tired. You really need to have an adjust able height desk as the stool and the chair will want the desk at a different level. My standing desk accommodates both well. The back rest is worth having so you can lean back on it every now and then, but mostly I sit up straight without it. https://www.workhorsechair.com/products/chiropractic-designed-workhorse-saddle-chair-pro?variant=43433797288105
After reading “The Comfort Crisis” & “Built to Move” in 2024, I began sitting on the floor while watching an episode of a tv show in the evening. This 1 small change has made a big difference in my back, leg & hip mobility & core strength . I change positions, stretch, get up if needed then back to sitting on the floor instead of the couch almost every night! All of the 2% changes I’ve made have really add up to better heath🙌
I watch an episode or a movie while ground sitting in various positions. Also a bit of couch stretch and windshield wiping. Kelly and Julie Starrett have a chapter in their book 'Built to Move' on sitting on the floor. You can also read the article. 'Ground Game: Is Sitting On The Floor Good For You?' https://thereadystate.com/blogs/why-sitting-more-on-the-ground-can-transform-your-life/
I’m a drummer and often use my drum stool in place of a chair, which helps with more active posture while sitting. Anyone looking for one would want to google “drum throne” (because I guess that’s what we think of ourselves hahaha)
But I just had a cool idea: a foam plyo box might make a great “desk chair” when it’s time to sit. It would allow chair sitting without back support, but has a flat enough top for a lot of ground sitting positions. Might need to give it a try…
Last tip: for standing at a desk, I’ve come to love 1-legged standing and calf raises on a Slack Block (slackbow.com). It’s small enough I can even carry it between my home office and work office.
Pete Galbert designed it with an ergonomics expert; puts the spine in alignment with a slight tilt forward, and both feet on the floor.
They are not hard to make if you have the tools. If you don't have the tools, lots of folks offer classes. The joinery will outlive the sitter, so a class is a good investment for anyone interested (check out Greg Pennington in Nashville for a class)
Not to mentioned all the extra benefits of working with your hands, calculating angles, and other problem solving tasks, etc. Would love to see research on the benefits of “craft”.
I love this. I use two slant boards that I alternate squatting on and sitting cross legged on for hours at a stretch in between the walking pad. A far cry from the Hadza environment of sun and fresh air, but it will do in our world of virtual engagement. Great post, Michael.
This takes me back to went I worked at a gym. Everyone sat on bosu balls. It was a lot more comfortable than you'd think. An yeah never did that weird stretch we all do when we've sat for to long.
What is the option if you are on a window seat for a long flight? I’m 6 feet tall so I can’t scoot forward anymore On the chair, and it would be frowned upon to sit on the floor. so is my only option to bug my seatmates and stand up every 20 minutes?
Helpful reminders and tips, Michael! I have a stool at my standing desk, so when I do sit, it’s without a back rest, but need to spend more time on the floor again. I’ve slacked on that piece.
For a long time my wife and i had tables with the legs cut off and no couch in our home after seeing information like this presented by Daniel Vitalis and Katy Bowman. Now we do have a normal dimning room table and a couch (although we rarely use it). We do alot of our sitting on the floor and it definitely helps. It's uncomfortable at first but your body does adapt to it. It helps me at work ( i am a hardscape installer and stone mason and i spend a ton of time crouched and kneeling) plus it helps us play with our young kids who are incredibly adapt at sitting and resting on the floor
Also - has anyone ever experimented with sitting with a ruck? Sounds like an interesting idea but probably not for the entire 9 hour duration of my work shift haha
I've used a QOR360 stool for about 7 years now, and love it (I'm sitting on it now). https://qor360.com/ No backrest, and the seat pivots so you need to use your core to keep a stable position.
Does anybody have recommendations on office chairs without a back rest? maybe one where I could even sit cross legged?
These are the ones I use at home and office and the ones I have recommended to dozens of patients : https://www.upliftdesk.com/. It has fixed many a low back pain issue.
Author Katy Bowman has some great resources on “movement friendly furniture”, just throw her name and chairs into a search. I’ve use a qor360 stool.
I sit on one of these saddle chairs for most of the day. I will still switch back to my regular office chair periodically if my low back gets tired. You really need to have an adjust able height desk as the stool and the chair will want the desk at a different level. My standing desk accommodates both well. The back rest is worth having so you can lean back on it every now and then, but mostly I sit up straight without it. https://www.workhorsechair.com/products/chiropractic-designed-workhorse-saddle-chair-pro?variant=43433797288105
Sounds like a business idea.
After reading “The Comfort Crisis” & “Built to Move” in 2024, I began sitting on the floor while watching an episode of a tv show in the evening. This 1 small change has made a big difference in my back, leg & hip mobility & core strength . I change positions, stretch, get up if needed then back to sitting on the floor instead of the couch almost every night! All of the 2% changes I’ve made have really add up to better heath🙌
I watch an episode or a movie while ground sitting in various positions. Also a bit of couch stretch and windshield wiping. Kelly and Julie Starrett have a chapter in their book 'Built to Move' on sitting on the floor. You can also read the article. 'Ground Game: Is Sitting On The Floor Good For You?' https://thereadystate.com/blogs/why-sitting-more-on-the-ground-can-transform-your-life/
I’m a drummer and often use my drum stool in place of a chair, which helps with more active posture while sitting. Anyone looking for one would want to google “drum throne” (because I guess that’s what we think of ourselves hahaha)
But I just had a cool idea: a foam plyo box might make a great “desk chair” when it’s time to sit. It would allow chair sitting without back support, but has a flat enough top for a lot of ground sitting positions. Might need to give it a try…
Last tip: for standing at a desk, I’ve come to love 1-legged standing and calf raises on a Slack Block (slackbow.com). It’s small enough I can even carry it between my home office and work office.
I've made a few perch stools to sit on at my desk (example here from Glenn in Australia - https://rundellandrundell.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-next-seating-position.html?m=1).
Pete Galbert designed it with an ergonomics expert; puts the spine in alignment with a slight tilt forward, and both feet on the floor.
They are not hard to make if you have the tools. If you don't have the tools, lots of folks offer classes. The joinery will outlive the sitter, so a class is a good investment for anyone interested (check out Greg Pennington in Nashville for a class)
Not to mentioned all the extra benefits of working with your hands, calculating angles, and other problem solving tasks, etc. Would love to see research on the benefits of “craft”.
I love this. I use two slant boards that I alternate squatting on and sitting cross legged on for hours at a stretch in between the walking pad. A far cry from the Hadza environment of sun and fresh air, but it will do in our world of virtual engagement. Great post, Michael.
This takes me back to went I worked at a gym. Everyone sat on bosu balls. It was a lot more comfortable than you'd think. An yeah never did that weird stretch we all do when we've sat for to long.
What is the option if you are on a window seat for a long flight? I’m 6 feet tall so I can’t scoot forward anymore On the chair, and it would be frowned upon to sit on the floor. so is my only option to bug my seatmates and stand up every 20 minutes?
Helpful reminders and tips, Michael! I have a stool at my standing desk, so when I do sit, it’s without a back rest, but need to spend more time on the floor again. I’ve slacked on that piece.
For a long time my wife and i had tables with the legs cut off and no couch in our home after seeing information like this presented by Daniel Vitalis and Katy Bowman. Now we do have a normal dimning room table and a couch (although we rarely use it). We do alot of our sitting on the floor and it definitely helps. It's uncomfortable at first but your body does adapt to it. It helps me at work ( i am a hardscape installer and stone mason and i spend a ton of time crouched and kneeling) plus it helps us play with our young kids who are incredibly adapt at sitting and resting on the floor
Also - has anyone ever experimented with sitting with a ruck? Sounds like an interesting idea but probably not for the entire 9 hour duration of my work shift haha