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By now we've all heard that sitting is the new smoking, but staying active at work is easier said than done in most offices. After all, what can you do when you're chained to your desk for 40 hours a week? The answer is that there's a lot you can do, and these are just a few of the tools that can help.

 

Work at an Adjustable Height Desk

Ask your employer for a standing or adjustable height desk so that you can easily alternate between sitting and standing without having to leave your workspace. Although it may be an investment upfront, it's a smart one as switching between sitting and standing throughout the day can help prevent serious health issues in the long term and will also help employees stay more productive on a day-to-day basis. If your employer can't afford to switch out every desk for a brand new adjustable height option, there are plenty of monitor mounts that adjust in height that are more affordable and can be simply clipped onto your existing desk.

 
adjustable height desks
 

Add an Active Chair

Active seating, including leaning stools and ball chairs, allow you to fidget and move while in a seated position. Studies have shown that fidgeting throughout the work day can have more health benefits than you might think, so encouraging that movement only makes sense. Leaning stools and ball chairs force the user to use their core strength to balance the seats, making them ideal for promoting an active working style.

 
active seating
 

Bring in a Wobble Board

If you have the luxury of standing while at work, go the extra mile by bringing a wobble board to the office. Standing at a wobble board will help you use your core strength in a similar way as the active seating options listed above. Plus, they take some of the pressure off your feet while allowing you to burn off a little energy.

 
wobble boards
 

Need help finding active working options for your workspace? Call our furniture experts today at (800) 558-1010 and we'll be happy to help you get moving!

Ergonomics

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Complete Guide to Active Seating

What is active seating? Active seating allows you to move around while sitting. While you may have heard that sitting is the new smoking, you may not know that extended periods of standing also have negative health effects. To combat this, we recommend keeping at least one type of active chair or stool at your desk to sit at when you aren’t standing or relaxing at work. Below you'll find some of the most popular types of active seating available. 

Leaning Stools

A leaning stool or perch stool is a stool seat on a long, pole-like base that forces the user to lean back and shift his or her weight back and forth to maintain a stable seated position. We recommend using a stabilizing footrest along with your leaning stool to prevent your feet from sliding while you lean. Some options even come with a built-in anti-fatigue mat for optimal comfort. Tall or short? No need to worry. All leaning stools come with an integrated seat height adjustment, so you'll be able to find your ideal seated position with a flick of your wrist.

Balancing Stools

Like leaning stools, balancing stools consist of a height-adjustable seat that points straight up like a standard stool. The difference? Balancing stools sit atop a wobbling base, forcing the user to shift his or her weight to sit upright. The flexible base allows the user to adjust the angle of the seat any which way, allowing for an active sitting experience that promotes fidgeting and a greater range of motion while seated. Like leaning stools, balancing stools are available in an assortment of upholstery types, including fabric and faux leather.

Ball Chairs

Possibly the most well-known product on this list, the ball chair allows users to bounce and lean while they sit. These balls have been used as chairs for years already, but if your exercise ball is always bouncing away from your desk, you may want to go for an option specifically designed for use in an office setting. For example. the Zenergy ball chair by Safco has 4 legs and feet that keep the unit in place at your desk so you can bounce with freedom while you work.

Kneeling Chairs

A kneeling chair may look challenging, but this ergonomic seating option is designed to encourage proper posture. The position of the seat and knee pads forces your body into a forward position, causing you to have to balance to sit up straight. Kneeling chairs have been known to reduce the pressure from long-term sitting, allowing your diaphragm to move efficiently, thereby promoting better breathing and blood circulation.

 

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Nicole Groshek

Nicole Groshek is the social media and content coordinator for National Business Furniture. She helps employees discover the true joy in loving what they do, from working in an inspiring office to having a little fun on the job.