Do you spend most of the day sitting at work? Or do you spend most of your time standing? Neither is ideal for our health. A great solution is a standing aid, such as a standing stool or standing chair. They offer comfortable support when switching between standing and sitting. This is known as perched sitting. It can significantly reduce strain on our musculoskeletal system.
In our guide, you will learn everything you need to know about standing aids. We explain the different types and show you the key criteria to consider when choosing one. You will also find all the important information about the kneeling chair and its benefits.
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 – the most important requirements when buying
1.5. How to adjust the height of a 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 work stool. It is also referred to as a standing stool or standing chair. However, the seat is slightly higher and not as large as that of a normal chair. A standing aid combines support and seating in one and is particularly useful for anyone who has to stand for long periods at work. Over time, this can put considerable strain on the body. A practical standing stool helps to relieve the legs, back and feet. In the long term, it can also help prevent health problems.
Where are standing aids used?
Standing aids are indispensable helpers in many areas, whether in industry, production, workshops or, of course, at office workstations. They can help you avoid one-sided strain caused by standing or sitting for long periods. Especially in jobs that involve standing, it is important to regularly relieve the body and muscles. These practical standing stools are available in various designs with a wide range of features. Some are height-adjustable, others have backrests or office chair castors, while others are foldable.
Some areas where standing aids are used:
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Office: Often at workstations with height-adjustable desks, in meeting rooms or in break rooms
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Counter workstations: For example, in a bank, where communication at eye level is necessary
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Industry, workshop, production and laboratory: When standing workstations are required
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Medical sector: For staff, but also for therapy and to support patients
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Counters and bars
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At home: For household tasks such as ironing (ironing stool) or for example in the kitchen
What types of standing aids are there?
1. Ergonomic standing stool
Unlike most ergonomic office stools, a standing stool is not designed just for sitting. Instead, you can lean against it and remain in a so-called perched position. This allows the stool to support 50 to 70 % of your body weight – this practical standing aid therefore relieves pressure on your legs, feet and back muscles. Standing stools are usually height-adjustable, so you can adapt them precisely to your height.
2. Wobble stool
A wobble stool, also known as an active stool, is another excellent addition to your everyday standing routine. It gives your body relief from time to time while also allowing dynamic sitting. So you can stay actively moving even while seated. And not just forwards or backwards – you can sway sideways, diagonally, rotate around your own axis or even bounce.
This active movement is good for your back, as one-sided and rigid postures are easily avoided. And it stimulates not only the body, but the mind too! Active sitting promotes circulation and therefore concentration as well. Unlike a standing stool, you can sit on this one with your full weight.
3. Standing aid with a fixed base and no castors
As the name suggests, the base of this type of standing aid is stable and robust. It stands securely and firmly on the floor, so you do not need to worry about suddenly tipping over. In most cases, the standing aid has runners, a fixed base cross or a disc base as its support.
You can still move a little on a fixed standing stool. However, this movement is more limited to the upper body and is not quite as active as with a wobble stool or a standing aid with castors.
4. Work stools with castors
A standing aid with castors gives you more flexibility than a standing stool with a fixed base. You can simply roll around the room without having to get up. Rolling stools are usually equipped with a movable five-star base. This ensures you sit safely and securely despite the castors. Like most standing aids, they are usually height-adjustable.
5. Standing aid with saddle seat / saddle stool
On a saddle stool, you can both sit and “perch”. They are usually height-adjustable, so they can be perfectly adapted to your height.
The special feature of these standing aids is the saddle seat. When sitting on a saddle seat, a wider sitting angle of up to 135° is created between your upper body and thighs. This not only relieves pressure on the buttocks and genitals, but also on your lower back (lumbar vertebrae). In other words: pain-free even after sitting for a long time! Instead, your spine straightens automatically and adopts its typical S-shape. At the same time, pressure is taken off your internal abdominal organs, supporting their natural function.
6. Orthopaedic standing aid
A standing chair can also be used for medical purposes. For example, in cases of severe back pain, after hip surgery, a slipped disc or even a stroke, an orthopaedic standing aid can provide welcome relief. It is often used therapeutically and can help you return to everyday working life – even for people with disabilities.
Did you know that you may be able to get a contribution from your health insurance provider towards orthopaedic standing stools? But be careful: specialist medical advice and an accurate diagnosis are essential for this. Only once you have found a suitable standing aid from a medical supply store should you submit an application and request a specific quotation.
7. Standing stools for children – dynamic sitting for the little ones
Children are full of energy and have a much stronger urge to move than adults, which they should definitely be allowed to follow. Try to limit long periods of sitting even in childhood and adolescence. All the better, then, that there are great children's desk chairs to provide more variety – for example with a cool standing stool for kids!
Stools are particularly popular with little ones. Especially when the standing stool allows a high degree of freedom of movement. Kids love to clamber about. At the same time, all that movement does their health a world of good.
8. Standing chair/perch stool
A standing chair or perch stool lets you work comfortably at a raised work surface. That is exactly what it is designed for, so you do not have to stand for hours on end. Basically, a standing chair is simply a taller chair.
Depending on the type of workstation and the task you do, there are different types of perch stools. The main difference lies in the height-adjustable seat. You can also choose whether the chair should have armrests and a backrest or not.
Standing chair with or without a backrest?
Standing chairs with a backrest are particularly suitable for workstations where you mainly work while seated. However, if you move your upper body a lot, we recommend choosing a model without rests. To make higher seating as comfortable and ergonomic as possible and to prevent your feet from dangling, standing chairs usually come with a suitable footrest.
9. Ironing support stool / ironing chair – a practical helper around the home
Another type of standing aid is the ironing chair. If you have ever tried ironing on a normal chair, you will know that it is rather impractical. Practical ironing stools are especially useful if you work with an ironing board and iron very often, suffer from chronic back pain or lower back pain, or have even had a slipped disc.
Compared to conventional chairs or stools, ironing chairs are designed in terms of height and ergonomics specifically for ironing. That is why they are height-adjustable and usually foldable as well. Of course, you can also use these chairs in many other ways for household tasks or hobbies, for example when painting at an easel.
Practical for household tasks – the ironing support stool
Standing aid – the key things to look for when buying
Not all standing aids are the same. So that you can enjoy your new work support for a long time, make sure to check a few key criteria before buying:
1. Height adjustment – tailored to your height
Make sure the standing aid is height-adjustable. This allows you to adapt it comfortably to your height. That ensures the standing chair can support you as effectively as possible and relieve strain while standing. It should be quick and easy to adjust to your height.
2. Stable and robust – so you can stand safely
Your body weight also plays a role. The standing aid must not slip or tip over. Standing stools with a stable base are more tip-resistant than stools with castors. Many standing aids can support up to 100 or 120 kg, some even up to 150 kg.
3. Seat – for comfortable working
The seat should, of course, be comfortable. Please keep in mind, however, that a standing stool is not designed for continuous sitting, but rather as a support. A non-slip surface and a rounded front edge are important to ensure adequate blood circulation in the legs. If the seat is movable, this also promotes dynamic sitting.
4. Practical – foldable standing stools
If your standing stool is equipped with a folding function, you can store it away conveniently at any time. In general, it is naturally an advantage if the standing aid is light and easy to handle. This means you can move it from room to room at any time without any trouble.
5. Standing aid with backrest – yes or no?
If the standing stool is equipped with a backrest, it is usually not intended to support your back, but rather to provide a comfortable sitting experience. Therefore, it is generally not absolutely necessary.
However, there are also standing chairs, such as perch stools, where the backrest is higher. In this case, you should make sure that the backrest supports your back across its full surface.
Adjusting the height of your standing aid correctly
Standing stool:
Take note – as a rule, you do not sit on a standing stool or standing aid with your full weight. Instead, you lean against it with your buttocks. Be aware of this before adjusting your work stool. The basic rule is:
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When adjusting the height, make sure that your feet are resting fully on the floor.
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Your knees should be slightly bent.
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Your back should be straight.
As a rule, a standing stool only bears 50 to 70 % of your body weight.
Simply try things out a little to find what feels best for you. Then adjust your desk as well. Your arms should rest loosely on the desktop. Make sure the angle between your upper arms and forearms is around 90°.
Perching stool:
On a perching stool, you basically sit like on a chair, just higher up. That is why elevated perching seats are often fitted with a footrest. Make sure you can rest your feet on it comfortably. If your stool does not have a footrest, your feet should rest fully on the floor. The same applies to desk height – ideally, there should be an angle of around 90° between your upper arm and forearm.
Conclusion – these are the benefits of a standing aid
A standing aid adds movement to your working day. Used correctly, it supports your health in the long term. We have summarised the key benefits for you:
✅ Relief while standing
- Relieves strain on the legs, feet and lower back muscles
- Up to 50 to 70 % of your body weight can be absorbed
- Leaning against the standing aid helps relax the muscles → boosting circulation and blood flow
- Heavy legs, narrowed veins and fatigue can be avoided
✅ Significantly more movement during the working day and dynamic sitting
- Continuous changes in sitting position or working posture
- Alternating strain on the leg muscles as well as the back and abdominal muscles
- Helps prevent poor posture and forced postures
- Balanced loading and relief of the muscles of the musculoskeletal system
✅ Flexible seating option
- Perching stools have a wide range of uses beyond the office
- Useful as a multi-purpose stool for various tasks (for example as an ironing perch at home)
- Standing aids are usually lightweight and compact and can be moved around flexibly.
- Each type of standing aid has individual benefits tailored to specific activities
✅ Useful when switching to a height-adjustable desk
- At first, it can feel unfamiliar and tiring to work standing up for longer periods
- If you have an ergonomic desk with electric height adjustment, you can quickly adapt your working position
- With a perching stool, you can effectively divide your work between sitting, standing and perched sitting
Kneeling chair – how useful is it?
You may already have heard of a kneeling chair (also called a knee stool or knee-sitting chair). What makes this chair special is that you sit in a kneeling position. You still sit on it in the usual way, but tilted slightly forwards and downwards. At the same time, you rest your knees on a separate support surface.
The idea behind it is to sit more ergonomically. Because the seat angle between the upper and lower body is wider (greater than 90°), it relieves pressure on your lower back. In addition, there is usually no backrest. This gives you greater freedom of movement and helps train your back and abdominal muscles.
How healthy is a kneeling chair?
Ergonomic kneeling chair – useful when concentration is needed
Are you looking for an alternative to conventional seating for work? Then a kneeling chair can definitely be worthwhile. The wide sitting angle creates a dynamic sitting posture. Your body then naturally finds good balance. You automatically sit more upright. And your 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 numb legs. This is because the sitting position relieves your lower back. Ideally, kneeling from time to time can increase oxygen supply and blood circulation in your body – helping you work with better concentration!
Please note: Do not spend too long sitting on a kneeling chair. Due to the bent position of the knee joints, the lower legs may not receive optimal blood circulation. So take particular care if you already have physical complaints.
Ergonomic kneeling stool for back conditions
If your back is already under significant strain, if you have had a slipped disc, or if you suffer from chronic back problems, scoliosis or coccyx pain, we would recommend an ergonomically adjusted office chair instead. While the kneeling position does relieve the buttocks and back, it does not provide support for the spine. And this support is absolutely essential, for example, in the case of a slipped disc.
Please therefore bear in mind that kneeling chairs are not suitable for everyone and should not be seen as the only solution for back problems. As a general rule, the following always applies:
The healthiest approach is to use different sitting positions and keep moving from time to time – in other words, active sitting.
Before getting a kneeling chair, it's best to speak to a specialist such as a physiotherapist or an ergonomics expert. That way, you can be sure the stool is suitable for your needs.
What types of kneeling chairs are there?
There are primarily three versions of the kneeling stool. With backrest, without backrest, and the kneeling chair with castors:
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Kneeling 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 gentle rocking movements, making sitting optimally dynamic.
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Kneeling chair with backrest: If the kneeling stool is fitted with a backrest, it becomes more like a proper office chair. On some models, you can also adjust the backrest so that your back is well supported.
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Kneeling chair with castors: The main difference here is that these work stools cannot rock. This is of course due to the castors. The sitting position is therefore fixed and less dynamic than on a stool with a rocking function. In return, these models are often height-adjustable. And you can conveniently roll around the room on the chair, just as you would with a conventional office chair.
These are the benefits of a kneeling chair
To sum up, here is another overview of all the benefits a kneeling stool offers.
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Relief for the lower back and a healthy posture:
Because the hip angle is quite open (over 90°) when you sit on a kneeling chair, your posture automatically becomes healthier. As your body weight is also supported by your knees and lower legs, your back is pleasantly relieved. The pressure on the lumbar vertebrae is significantly reduced.
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Strengthens the abdominal and back muscles
Thanks to the special, ergonomic sitting position , you automatically adopt an upright posture. Especially if the kneeling stool is fitted with runners, sitting is highly dynamic. This means your upper body is constantly trying to find balance through small movements (micro-movements). These natural movements stimulate the abdominal and back muscles, which also become stronger over time.
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Improved performance and concentration
In addition to promoting a healthy sitting posture, the kneeling chair also has other positive effects on the body. The upright sitting position improves your breathing, making it calmer and more efficient. It also stimulates blood circulation, which increases the oxygen supply to the brain. This helps you stay focused for longer while working.
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Practical and space-saving
The kneeling chair can be stored away quickly and conveniently whenever you do not need it. It also fits under a desk, or you can even hang it over the desktop. As a kneeling stool is very lightweight, it can also be transported without any trouble. This means you can quickly take the stool with you to the next meeting in another room.
More alternatives to a standing aid and kneeling chair
Balance board
A balance board is a small fitness board. The underside of the board is curved in a convex shape. By standing on the board with your feet apart, you are constantly challenged to keep your balance. This creates active and dynamic standing that promotes your mobility and stability.
Floor mat / anti-fatigue mat
So-called anti-fatigue floor mats are soft and cushioned. When you stand on this mat, the padding creates slight unevenness, which your body compensates for with small but effective movements. This improves your posture and automatically straightens your back. At the same time, movement on the mat promotes blood circulation in the legs and activates your muscles. This allows you to work while standing in an even more relaxed and active way.
