Place the majority of your weight on the seat of the chair

The name kneeling chair can be misleading as it may lead you to believe that your knees are replacing the function of your bottom and taking the bulk of your weight. Like with any other chair, your bottom should still be carrying the bulk of your weight. The cushions beneath the seat are simply there to act as a support for your shins, helping you keep your balance and stop you from sliding off the tilted seat.

Begin by sitting bottom first on the seat before moving your legs and shins into a kneeling position. If you get the sensation that you are being pushed forward and onto the shin cushions, try sitting even further back on the seat of the chair. Another thing to be aware of is the distance between your chair and the table in front of you. If you are leaning at an exaggerated angle, this might put unnecessary pressure on your shins. Bringing your kneeling chair closer to your desk or tabletop will help you avoid this.

The next position is always the best

The best way to avoid discomfort while seated is to change position frequently. The true beauty of a kneeling chair is the freedom of movement and variation it allows. Locking yourself in one position, no matter how correct it supposedly is, will not feel good. We cannot stress this point enough. Like all other body postures, kneeling will also feel uncomfortable after a while.

Remember to vary positions frequently throughout the day and have fun with it! Try using the shin cushions to rest one foot, both, or neither by placing your feet on the ground, and sitting in a more traditional posture. You can also turn around or sit sideways if you please. Lean forward, stretch out, and let the chair follow your body's natural movements.

Allow yourself time getting used to a new way of sitting

While many ergonomic office chairs tend to solely focus on supporting your upper body and back, sitting on a Varier kneeling chair involves the entire body. They prompt us to sit actively with an engaged core. At first, this might tire your abdominal and back muscles - that’s good! They’re getting stronger. Be patient with yourself and allow your body the time it needs to get accustomed to this new way of sitting.

We believe that small steps can have a big impact on how healthy we feel. So don’t throw out your old office chair immediately. Keep your old office chair until you feel ready to transition to your new kneeling chair full time. In fact, keep your old chair long-term if you find it works better for you to continue switching between the two. Ultimately, we want our chairs to inspire a more balanced way of life. One where movement is an essential part of our everyday. So be sure to incorporate movement in a way that works for you.