Are you tired after the end of your workday and feel back pain, stiffed shoulders and pain in your neck? We've all been there; poor posture and the wrong choice of office chair can lead to serious back pain and spine issues. One of the best ways to change this is to invest in an adjustable desk and a saddle chair. What are saddle chairs, you wonder? Designed to look like saddles, these seats have no backrest and will make you lean forward a bit, so the main pressure falls onto your legs instead of your spine. They are perfect for people with back pain and for anyone who wants to improve their posture. Here's what you need to know when buying such chairs.
What is a Saddle Chair?
As the name suggests, this type of chair is shaped like an equestrian saddle. Its shape puts you in a forward-leaning position with the hips and knees bent at about 135°, which is more than the 90° angle that you do while sitting in a regular office chair. When you sit in a forward-leaning position, your spine keeps its natural curvature. This is why sitting in such a position for a long time won't cause you any back pain. This chair can is perfect for people who suffer from lower back pain. But, you don't have to feel any lower back pain to get it and prevent back pain from developing.
Why Use a Saddle Chair?
Saddle chairs are perfect for helping you keep a good posture while sitting - your hips and knees will be positioned at 135°, and your spine will remain in its natural curve, which will prevent you from slouching. This chair will also reduce tension in your neck, shoulders and lumbar region.
When you sit with open hip angles and lean forwards, can keep your posture and prevent additional back pain.
Besides that, you will have better circulation in your legs. After a while, you won't feel the need to slouch or rest on a backrest. Now your stability will be on your legs; the lumbar area will be free from any pressure, therefore, it won't have risks of disc strain and back pain. Use your feet to propel the chair into a position during sitting, which is a good physical activity for your legs.
The fact that a saddle chair has an adjustable height, will help you to keep your neck straight and your eyes on the same level with the computer or other things that require focus. If you use it with an adjustable height desk, this chair will help you keep proper posture, relieve back, neck, shoulder and arm pain and won't' put pressure on your eyes.
Some saddle chairs come with a split seat that doesn't put pressure on the pelvic floor and reduces the temperature in the genital area. This allows you to sit comfortably on the chair for long periods (it’s a very healthy position for men).
How to Choose a Saddle Chair
When buying your chair, there are several things to consider. Keep in mind that this type of chair comes in two types - solid and divided. The divided chair is split in the middle and some models come with an adjustable gap. This design is more beneficial for men.
Contour
The more contoured the chair is, the better support you'll get. However, the contour also increases the chance that the chair might not fit you. Be sure to sit on the chair before buying it so you can know if it feels comfortable for you.
Firmness
Saddle chairs isn't a regular chair and if you're new to it you will need some time to get used to sitting on it. To make a comfortable transition, be sure to get a softly cushioned chair.
Backrest
Most saddle chairs don't have backrests and may feel odd if you're new to these types of chairs. But, you can still find models with a backrest, so if you feel that it would benefit you more as a beginner, choose such a chair with a backrest (they might be rare, but you can still find them).
Tilt
Choose a chair that comes with tilting. Tilting will allow you to adjust your seat according to your anatomy and comfort. If this is your first ergonomic saddle chair it will help you get used to it much faster.
Seat Height
Saddle stools have a higher seat than regular office chairs, so you'll have to keep a supported standing posture. If you set the chair too high you risk irritating your groan area. The too low setting, on the other hand, and you will slump. The best way is to set it to a height where your legs bend at 120° to 135°.
Desk Height
Don't forget to consider your desk height. It may be a problem sitting on your chair if your desk isn't adjustable. These chairs are higher than the regular office chair, so your desk might feel too low for them. You can choose to get both the chair and an adjustable desk so you won't have to deal with various heights.
