Do you sit at work most of the day? Or do you spend most of your time standing? Neither one nor the other is optimal for our health. A great solution for this are standing aids, i.e. standing stools or standing chairs. They provide comfortable support for switching between standing and sitting. So-called standing sitting. This can significantly relieve the strain on our musculoskeletal and supporting systems.
In our guide you will find out everything you need to know about standing aids. We will explain the different types and show you the most important criteria that you should consider when making your selection. You will also learn everything you need to know about the kneeling chair and its advantages.
Table of contents:
1.1. What is a standing aid?
1.2. Where are standing aids used?
1.3. What types of standing aids are there?
1.4. Standing aid – these are the most important requirements for purchasing
1.5. Adjust the height of the standing aid correctly
1.6. Conclusion – these are the advantages of a standing aid
2.1. How healthy is a kneeling chair?
2.2. What types of kneeling chairs are there?
2.3. These are the advantages of a kneeling chair
2.4. Further alternatives to standing aids and kneeling chairs
What is a standing aid?
A standing aid is basically a work chair or a work stool. Also called a standing stool or standing chair. However, the seat is slightly higher and not as large as a normal chair. The standing aid is a combination of leaning and sitting option and is particularly interesting for those who have to stand at work for long periods of time. Because that can put a lot of strain on the body in the long run. A practical standing stool helps us to comfortably relieve the strain on our legs, back and feet. And health problems can be prevented in the long term.
Where are standing aids used?
Standing aids are indispensable helpers in many areas, be it in industry, production, workshops or of course at work in the office. Because they can help you avoid one-sided strain caused by standing or sitting for long periods of time. It is important to regularly relieve the strain on your body and muscles, especially when doing standing activities. The practical standing stools are available in different versions with a wide variety of functions. Some are height adjustable, others have backrests or Office chair wheels, while others are foldable.
Some areas of application for standing aids:
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Office: Often at workstations with height-adjustable desks, in meeting rooms or in the break room
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Counter workstations: For example, in the bank, where communication at eye level is necessary
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Industry, workshop, production and in the laboratory: When standing workstations are necessary
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Medicine: For staff, but also as therapy and to support patients
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Counter and bar
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In the household: For household chores such as ironing (ironing chair) or in the kitchen, for example
What types of standing aids are there?
1. Ergonomic standing stool
The standing stool is not just intended for sitting like most ergonomic office stools. Instead, you can lean on it and sit in a so-called standing position. This means that the stool supports 50 to 70% of your body weight - the useful standing aid relieves the strain on your legs, feet and back muscles. Standing stools are usually height-adjustable - so you can adjust them exactly to your height.
2. Pendulum stool
A pendulum stool or active stool also wonderfully complements your everyday standing routine. Because it relieves your body from time to time and at the same time enables dynamic sitting. This means you can move actively even while sitting. Not just forwards or backwards - you can swing sideways, diagonally, rotate around your own axis or even swing.
The active movement is good for your back because it easily avoids one-sided and rigid postures. And not only the body but also the mind is stimulated! Active sitting promotes blood circulation and thus concentration. In contrast to the standing stool, you can sit on it with your full weight.
3. Standing aid with a firm stand without wheels
As the name suggests, the base of this type of standing aid is stable and robust. It stands securely and firmly on the ground and you don't have to worry about it suddenly tipping over. The standing aid usually has runners, a fixed base or a plate base as a base.
You can still move around a bit with the fixed standing stool. However, this movement is more limited to the upper body and is not quite as active as with a pendulum stool or a stand with wheels.
4. Work stool with wheels
With a standing aid with wheels, you are more flexible than with a standing stool with a fixed base. You can practically roll around in the room and don't have to get up. Rolling stools are usually equipped with a movable base. It ensures that you sit securely and stably despite rolling. Like most standing aids, they are usually height adjustable.
5. Standing aid with saddle seat/saddle stool
You can sit or stand up on a saddle stool. They are usually height-adjustable and can therefore be perfectly adapted to your height.
The special thing about these standing aids – the saddle seat. When sitting on the saddle, an increased seat angle of up to 135° is created between your upper body and your thighs. This not only relieves pressure on your buttocks and genitals, but also on your lower back (lumbar vertebrae). This means: pain-free even after sitting for a long time! Instead, your spine automatically straightens and assumes its typical S-shape. At the same time, the pressure on your internal abdominal organs is relieved, which supports them in their natural function.
6. Orthopedic standing aid
A standing chair can also be used for medical purposes. For example, if you have severe back pain, after hip surgery, a herniated disc or even a stroke, an orthopedic standing aid can be a pleasant relief. This is often used therapeutically and can help you get back into everyday working life - even for people with disabilities.
Did you know that you can get orthopedic standing stools subsidized by your health insurance company? But be careful: specialist advice and an accurate diagnosis are essential. Only when you have found a suitable standing aid at a medical supply store should you submit an application and have a concrete offer drawn up.
7. Standing stool for children – dynamic sitting for the little ones
Children are little whirlwinds and have a much stronger urge to move than us adults, which they should definitely pursue. Limit sitting for long periods of time as much as possible during childhood and adolescence. It's even better that it's great Children's desk chairs to provide more variety - for example with a cool standing stool for children!
Stools are particularly popular with little ones. Especially if the standing stool allows for a high level of mobility. The kids love to gymnastics around. At the same time, exercise is doing something good for your health.
8. Standing chair/standing seat
With a standing chair or standing seat you can work comfortably on an elevated work surface. Because that's exactly what it's designed for, so you don't have to stand for hours. So basically a standing chair is a taller chair.
Depending on the type of workplace and the activity you do, there are different types of standing seats. The main difference is the height-adjustable seat. You also have the choice of whether the chair should have arm and backrests or not.
Standing chair with or without backrest?
Standing chairs with backrests are particularly suitable for workplaces where you mainly work while sitting. However, if you move your upper body a lot, we recommend avoiding leaning. So that sitting higher is as comfortable and ergonomic as possible and your feet don't hang in the air, standing chairs usually have a suitable footrest.
9. Ironing stand / ironing chair - practical helper in the household
Also a type of standing aid – an ironing chair. If you've ever tried ironing with a regular chair, you know that it's rather inconvenient. The practical ironing stools are particularly useful if you use the ironing board and iron very often, suffer from chronic back pain or lower back pain or have even had a herniated disc.
Compared to conventional chairs or stools, ironing chairs are designed for ironing in terms of height and ergonomics. Therefore, they are height-adjustable and can usually also be folded. Of course, you can use the chairs in a variety of ways for other household activities or hobbies. For example, for painting at the easel.
Practical for household activities - the stirrup standing aid
Standing aid – these are the most important requirements for purchasing
Not all standing aids are the same. So that you can enjoy your new work support for a long time, pay attention to a few essential criteria before purchasing:
1. Height adjustment – adjusted to your height
Make sure that the standing aid is height-adjustable. This means you can easily adjust them to your height. This ensures that the standing chair can provide you with the best possible support and provide relief when standing. Adjusting to your height should be quick and easy.
2. Stable and robust - so you stand securely
Body weight also plays a role. The standing aid must not slip or tip over. Standing stools with a firm stand are more resistant to tipping over than stools with wheels. Many standing aids can hold up to 100 or 120 kg, some even up to 150 kg.
3. Seat – for comfortable working
The seat should be comfortable. Please remember, however, that a standing stool is not intended for constant sitting, but rather as a support. A non-slip surface and a rounded front edge are important to ensure sufficient blood circulation in the legs. If the seat is movable, it also promotes dynamic sitting.
4. Practical - folding standing stools
If your standing stool is equipped with a folding function, you can conveniently store it away at any time. In general, it is of course an advantage if the standing aid is light and handy. This means you can easily transport them from room to room at any time.
5. Standing aid with backrest – yes or no?
If the standing stool is equipped with a backrest, it usually does not serve to support your back, but rather ensures a good sitting experience. Therefore it is usually not absolutely necessary.
But there are also standing chairs, such as ironing chairs, where the backrest is higher. In this case, you should make sure that the backrest supports your back across the entire surface.
Adjust the height of the standing aid correctly
Standing stool:
Be careful – as a rule, you do not sit with your full weight on a standing stool or a standing aid. Instead, lean against it with your buttocks. Be aware of this before adjusting your work stool. Basically:
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When adjusting the height, make sure that your feet are completely on the floor.
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The knees should be slightly bent.
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Your back should be straight.
As a rule, you only put 50 to 70% of your body weight on a standing stool.
Just experiment a bit and see what feels best for you. Then set up your work table. The arms should rest loosely on the desk. Make sure there is an angle of approximately 90° between your upper and forearms.
Standing chair:
In the standing chair you sit basically like you sit on a chair, only higher. Therefore, the raised standing seats are often equipped with a footrest. Make sure you can rest your feet comfortably on it. If your chair does not have a footrest, your legs should rest completely on the floor. The same applies to the height of the table - an angle of around 90° between the upper and forearm is best.
Conclusion – these are the advantages of a standing aid
A standing aid brings movement into your everyday working life. Used correctly, it will benefit your long-term health. We have summarized the most important advantages for you:
✅ Relief while standing
- Relief for legs, feet and lower back muscles
- Up to 50 to 70% of the body weight load can be absorbed
- Muscles relax by leaning on the standing aid → circulation and blood circulation are stimulated
- Heavy legs, narrowing of the veins and fatigue are avoided
✅ Significantly more movement in everyday working life and dynamic sitting
- Continuously changing the sitting position or working posture
- Change in load on the leg muscles as well as the back and abdominal muscles
- Incorrect and forced postures are prevented
- Even loading and unloading of the muscles of the musculoskeletal system
✅ Flexible seating
- Standing stools have a variety of uses beyond the office
- Useful as a multi-purpose stool for various purposes (e.g. as an iron stand in the household)
- Standing aids are usually light and compact and can be transported flexibly.
- Each type of standing aid has individual advantages, tailored to specific activities
✅ Useful when switching to a height-adjustable desk
- At first it can be unusual and tiring to work standing for long periods of time
- If you have an ergonomic desk with electric height adjustment, you can quickly adjust the working position
- With a standing stool you can practically divide the work between sitting, standing and standing
Kneeling chair – how useful is it?
You may have heard of a kneeling chair (also known as a kneeling stool or kneeling chair). The special thing about the chair is that you take a kneeling position on it. You sit on it normally, but at an angle forward and downward. At the same time, place your knees on an extra shelf.
The purpose is to sit more ergonomically. Because the larger seat angle between your upper and lower body (greater than 90°) relieves your lower back. In addition, there is usually no backrest. This gives you more freedom of movement and trains your back and abdominal muscles.
How healthy is a kneeling chair?
Ergonomic kneeling chair – useful when concentration is required
Are you looking for an alternative to traditional seating when working? Then a kneeling chair can be definitely worth it. The large angle when sitting creates a dynamic sitting posture. The body then naturally finds a good balance. You automatically sit more upright. And the back and abdominal muscles are strengthened all by themselves.
This can help you if you occasionally suffer from back pain, tension in the neck or legs that go to sleep. Because the sitting position protects your lower back. At best, temporary kneeling will increase the oxygen supply and blood flow in your body - you will work more concentratedly!
Please note: Do not spend too long on the kneeling chair. The bending of the knee joints can mean that the lower legs do not receive optimal blood flow. Therefore, you should be especially careful if you already have physical problems.
Ergonomic knee stool for back problems
If your back is under greater strain, you have even had a herniated disc or are affected by chronic back problems, scoliosis or coccyx problems, we recommend one ergonomically adapted office chair. In the kneeling position you relieve the strain on your buttocks and back, but there is no support for the spine. And this is absolutely necessary in the event of a herniated disc, for example.
Please keep in mind that kneeling chairs are not suitable for everyone and should not be viewed as the only solution to back problems. Basically always applies:
The healthiest thing is to assume different sitting positions and move around every now and then - i.e. active sitting.
Before getting a kneeling chair, it's best to speak to a professional such as a physical therapist or an ergonomics specialist. This way you can be sure that the stool is suitable for your needs.
What types of kneeling chairs are there?
There are primarily three variants of the knee stool. With backrest, without backrest and the kneeling chair with wheels:
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Knee stool without backrest: The classic kneeling chair has no backrest, is usually made of wood and has a rocking function. It stands on curved runners. This allows for slight rocking movements, making sitting optimally dynamic.
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Kneeling chair with backrest: If the knee stool is equipped with a backrest, it resembles a real office chair. On some models you can also adjust the backrest so that the back is well relieved.
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Kneeling chair with wheels: The main difference here is that these work stools cannot rock. Of course that depends on the roles. The sitting position is therefore fixed and less dynamic than with a stool with a rocking function. These models are often height-adjustable. And you can practically roll around the room with the chair, just like you would with a conventional office chair.
These are the advantages of a kneeling chair
In summary, we will show you all the advantages that a knee stool brings with it.
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Relief of the lower back and healthy posture:
Since the hip angle is quite large (over 90°) when you sit on the kneeling chair, your posture automatically becomes healthier. Since your body weight is also supported by your knees and lower legs, your back is pleasantly relieved. The pressure on the lumbar vertebrae decreases significantly.
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Strengthening the abdominal and back muscles
Due to the special, ergonomic sitting position automatically assume an upright position. Sitting is super dynamic, especially if the knee stool is equipped with runners. The upper body is constantly trying to find balance with small movements (micro movements). These natural movements stimulate the abdominal and back muscles so that they become stronger over time.
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Better performance and ability to concentrate
In addition to the healthy sitting posture, the kneeling chair has other positive effects on the body. Because the upright sitting position improves breathing, making it calmer and better. Blood circulation is stimulated and this also increases the oxygen supply to the brain. This helps you work with concentration for longer.
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Handy and space-saving
The kneeling chair can be stowed away quickly and conveniently when you don't need it. It also fits under a desk or you can even hang it on the tabletop. Since a knee stool is very light, it can also be easily transported. This means you can quickly take the stool with you to the next meeting in another room.
Further alternatives to standing aids and kneeling chairs
Balance board
A balance board is a small fitness board. The bottom of the board is curved in a convex shape. By standing on the board with your legs wide, you are continually challenged to maintain your balance. This results in an active and dynamic standing that promotes your mobility and stability.
Floor mat/anti-fatigue mat
So-called anti-fatigue floor mats are soft and padded. When you stand on this mat, the padding creates a minimal unevenness, which your body compensates for with small but effective movements. This improves your posture and straightens your back automatically. At the same time, movement on the mat promotes blood circulation in the legs and activates your muscles. This means you can work even more relaxed and actively while standing.
