You’ve probably heard about stools over the years – how good they are for your back, posture, and health.
But what you probably haven’t heard much about is how to sit on it!
Whether you already have a stool, or you’re planning to get one, learning how to use a stool properly is important if you want to gain the benefits it offers.
We have found that the best way to sit on a stool consists of 5 steps. First, sit down on the stool. Then adjust the height so your feet are on the floor. Make sure your knees are 135 degrees below your hips. Sit up straight in a comfortable position. Move your neck so that your ears are above your shoulders.
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Is it healthy to sit on a stool?
Yes, it is!
Sitting on a stool has many health benefits, including reduced spinal pressure, stronger muscles, better blood flow, and more productivity!
When you sit on a stool, your knees are naturally at a greater angle from your hips because of the smaller seat and the higher height of the stool.
With this position, your pelvis and spine are moved into the positions they should naturally be in, which helps you maintain the natural S curve in your spine.
Because of this, you will have better posture, which leads to less pressure in your spine, as well as less pain and tension caused by bad posture.
Another benefit of sitting on a stool is stronger muscles, which is due to something called “active sitting”. The position forces you to sit up straight without the help of a backrest, having all of your core muscles exercised.
This helps strengthen them and builds up muscle memory for maintaining good posture. It also increases your metabolism and helps you burn calories while sitting!
And by positioning your knees at a 135-degree angle from your hips, a stool encourages better blood flow to your legs, which can help stop any swelling caused by sitting for long periods.
In short, sitting on a stool helps you focus on your work, due to more active muscles, faster metabolism, and better circulation.
Is a stool or chair better for posture?
The answer is….it depends!
Let’s review the definitions of a stool and a chair.
A stool is a small seat that typically doesn’t have armrests or a backrest. It usually has 3 to 5 legs, which often have wheels on them for easy movement.
A chair is a deep seat that typically has a backrest, and might have armrests. It usually has 4 legs, which may or may not have wheels on them.
They seem pretty similar, don’t they? So what sets them apart in terms of pros and cons?
Pros and cons of stools
Stools encourage good posture through the lack of back support – kind of like waiting for a baby to walk on its own.
By not providing a backrest, your muscles are forced to learn how to support your back without any external help. This maintains a natural S curve in the spine and burns calories.
Stools are typically smaller and easier to move around when on wheels, which makes them perfect for a dynamic workspace. They also help increase blood flow to your legs due to the 135-degree angle between your knees and hips.
On the downside, sitting on stools can be tiring because your muscles have to do the heavy lifting.
Pros and cons of chairs
Chairs, meanwhile, encourage good posture through the presence of back support – much like giving a baby a walker to help it learn how to walk.
By providing a backrest, your muscles get to rest since your head and spine are already supported. This helps you avoid muscle fatigue and feels more comfortable.
However, because the support is external, you have a greater risk of slouching.
You also burn fewer calories, since it’s not active sitting, and blood flow to your feet is restricted due to the 90-degree angle between your knees and hips.
It can also be harder to get up and sit down in the deeper chair, as well as move around in the bulkier chair if it’s on wheels.
So, in the end, it depends on what you prefer! If you’re working long hours, a chair might be better for you, but if you’re sitting for several shorter periods, a stool will keep you healthy!
How should you sit on a stool?
Now that you know the benefits of sitting on a stool, it’s time to learn how to sit on a stool properly!
If you want to sit on a stool in the healthiest way possible, you can follow these easy steps:
- Sit down on the middle of the stool.
- Adjust the height of the stool. Your feet should be able to stay flat on the floor.
- Check the angle between your knees and hips. Your knees should be below your hips, at around a 135-degree angle.
- Imagine you have a string pulling you up from the head and straightening your back to a comfortable, flexible position.
- Position your neck so that your ears are above your shoulders.
What are the best stools?
Since we’ve covered everything there is to know about stools, let’s take a look at our top 5 stools!
- : a vinyl seat with adjustable height and dual-wheel casters.
- : a PU leather seat with adjustable height, 360 degree swiveling, and wheel casters.
- : a vinyl seat with adjustable height and a non-slip base.
- : a leather seat with adjustable height, 360 degree swiveling, and dual wheel casters.
- Grace & Grace Stool: a PVC leather seat with adjustable height, 360 degree swiveling, and nylon casters.
Conclusion
Sitting on a stool can give you many health benefits because of how it positions your spine, pelvis, and legs, including less pressure on your back, stronger core muscles, better circulation, and more ability to focus.
A stool may be better for posture than a chair if your muscles are strong enough to support your back for hours.
If not, then a chair might be better for you, since it provides a backrest for external support.
To sit on a stool properly, make sure that your feet are flat on the floor, your knees are 135 degrees below your hips, your back is straight, and your ears are over your shoulders.
Our top 5 stools are the Boss Office stool, the KKTONER stool, the Learniture triangle stool, the AmazonBasics stool, and the Grace & Grace stool.
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My name is Vance, and I am the owner of To Ergonomics. Our mission is to improve your workflow by helping you create a supportive and welcoming environment. We hope that you’ll find what you’re looking for while you’re here.