Today, there are many models of ergonomic office stools designed to improve posture and avoid the pain caused by prolonged sitting.
Kneeling chairs, oscillating stools, saddle stools, or sit-stand stools—which ergonomic stool should you choose for your workspace?
In this guide, you will discover the specific features of each type of stool and the criteria to take into account to choose the model adapted to your office, your habits, and your body type.
What is an ergonomic stool?
An active seat
The ergonomic stool offers a more active seat than a chair, which allows for freedom of movement, particularly in the pelvis, and helps straighten one's posture.
There are many models of ergonomic stools that offer a configuration specific to every need:
- Inclined, saddle-shaped, or round seat
- Presence or absence of a backrest
- Oscillating or stable base
- Height-adjustable seat and the possibility to alternate between sitting and standing positions
- Specific supports for the knees or shins
- Footrests.
Why abandon the classic chair for an ergonomic stool at the office?
On a classic office chair, prolonged sitting is particularly demanding on the body.
A study has shown an increase in lower back pain when several factors accompany a sedentary lifestyle. This is the case with posture errors (rounded back, posterior pelvic tilt, crossed legs...) or ergonomic issues at the workstation.
Conversely, without passive support, sitting on an ergonomic stool helps improve postural comfort. Moreover, it contributes to muscle strengthening, which is beneficial for relieving lower back pain.
The benefits of the ergonomic office stool
Improved posture
Standard office chairs offer so much back support that all the muscles remain at rest. They can thus encourage relaxation and body sagging.
Conversely, the ergonomic stool is designed to straighten posture, so that the pelvis is placed in a neutral position, the shoulders open up, and the head aligns with the spine.
It also encourages shifting support points and, depending on the model, changing positions regularly to break free from stagnation.
By maintaining an appropriate posture and staying more active, your body remembers good practices and repeats the experience. Even when you are no longer sitting at your desk, you will stand straighter.
Relief and prevention of back pain and MSDs
Forget slouching in a classic seat; the ergonomic stool spares you hours of static sitting and the resulting lower back pain. According to an OpinionWay study conducted in France, back pain is linked in 46% of cases to poor posture.
Sitting on an ergonomic stool, you maintain a straighter back. Spinal alignment, hip opening, and better distribution of weight promote muscle strengthening which relieves pressure exerted on the intervertebral discs.
It is an excellent way to prevent and relieve back pain related to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).
Discreet muscle strengthening (core engagement)
Without even realizing it, the dynamic ergonomic stool will give you rock-solid abs!
It tends to engage deep muscles, even more so if you opt for an oscillating base stool or a saddle stool.
To maintain balance on a slightly unstable seat, constant micro-movements are necessary. This passive core engagement and body mobility promote muscle strengthening.
Boost in energy and productivity
Do you frequently feel numbness, cramps, tingling in your lower limbs, and have a sensation of heavy legs at the end of the day? Staying seated at a desk for long hours without changing position impairs blood circulation.
Adopting a more dynamic seat also means stimulating venous return. The constant movement required to maintain posture on a rocking or unstable ergonomic stool activates blood circulation, muscles, as well as the oxygenation of the brain.
Combined with an adapted posture, mobility is a real energy booster, which improves productivity and concentration at the office.
Perfect for sit-stand desks
The ergonomic stool perfectly complements a sit-stand desk. The sit-stand stool, in particular, allows you to rest at mid-height when the desk surface is raised to its maximum.
It is also the ideal combination for moving more at work and encouraging position changes.
Thanks to the freedom of movement it offers, the ergonomic office stool facilitates daily actions such as turning, getting up to grab a file, or sitting back down instantly.
What are the different types of ergonomic stools?
The kneeling chair: the champion of straight posture, penalized by pressure on the legs
The kneeling chair gets its name from the fact that part of the body weight is transferred to the knees and shins.
This feature has the merit of maintaining an upright posture and relieving lower back tension, since the pelvis is slightly tilted forward.
Nevertheless, the use of the ergonomic kneeling stool should be reserved for short seated work sessions (1 to 2 hours maximum).
Otherwise, the pressure felt by the lower limbs eventually causes joint discomfort in the legs and blocking of venous return.
The saddle stool: maximum pelvic opening, held back by an ultra-rigid clinical seat
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The seat of this ergonomic stool is curved, like a riding saddle. Legs must therefore be spread apart to take a place on the saddle seat, like a rider on a horse.
Its main interest is that it offers maximum hip opening and relieves back tension.
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The saddle stool is particularly popular with medical, artisanal, or aesthetic professions, which require high precision. However, it is less adapted to screen work. Its specific shape and firm seat are less comfortable for prolonged office use.
It was designed to offer professionals great freedom of movement for their arms, while allowing them to get as close as possible to their workspace.
However, the firm and rigid seat of the ergonomic saddle chair limits its comfort.
The dynamic (oscillating) stool: waking up balance, bridled by limited mechanical movement
The dynamic or oscillating stool features an unstable foot, equipped with a rocker or a spring.
The principle of oscillating stools is to restore movement to the seated posture. The unstable base requires constant readjustment of posture, which engages the deep abdominal muscles. Sitting on a dynamic stool, you can therefore work and exercise your abs at the same time!
Pelvic movements, however, remain constrained to the central axis of the stool and the comfort of the seat is very limited.
The sit-stand stool: the king of postural transition, limited by minimalist comfort
The sit-stand stool is the logical partner for the height-adjustable desk. It is the ideal seat to facilitate position changes during working hours. It offers the possibility of adopting a dynamic intermediate position between the seated posture and standing.
Installing such a seat in front of a sit-stand desk helps limit leg fatigue during standing work phases.
However, the sit-stand seat is used more for quick meetings or short work sessions. In the intermediate position, the seat is high and inclined, and the body weight shifts partly onto the feet to relieve the buttocks and back. The firm seat, the constant strain on the legs, and the distribution of body weight supported by the feet eventually make the stool uncomfortable over time.
The ball stool: the combination of the ergonomic stool and the ball chair for a false air of dynamism
Halfway between the ergonomic stool and the Swiss ball, the ball-stool incorporates an inflatable sphere into a conventional chair base.
Offered with or without a backrest, this compromise provides pleasant cushioning but restricts pelvic freedom of movement to the point of neutralizing the real postural benefits.
The ball chair, a strange ergonomic stool
Even if the office ball chair is not an ergonomic stool in the strict sense, its functions remain similar. The principle of this dynamic seat is to offer true pelvic freedom of movement and to reduce pressure points exerted by prolonged sitting.
It surpasses the ergonomic stool in terms of comfort. Its feel is much softer than that of a stool, which is often too firm. The ball chair can therefore be the solution to gain postural comfort and in particular relieve back pain for those who stay seated all day long.
Moreover, the 360° seat on a ball allows for a greater amplitude of movement than that offered by an ergonomic office stool.
Designed by osteopaths, the Bloon active seat™ thus offers complete pelvic rocking in complete safety. Equipped with a weighted anti-roll base and premium covers adapted for the office, the Bloon ball chair is much more secure than a classic "Swiss Ball."
2 ball sizes are available: 55 cm and 65 cm in diameter.
It is the ergonomic seat to adopt for turning, changing positions, getting up and sitting down again instantly... In short, integrating movement into your daily life.
Not to mention that its trendy design makes quite an impression at the office, in an open space, or in your living room for remote work!
How to choose your ergonomic stool for the office?
To choose an ergonomic office chair well, the stool must adapt to your body type, your needs, and your workspace, not the other way around.
Compatibility with your desk (fixed vs. sit-stand)
The seat height of the ergonomic stool is one of the first criteria to check.
If you work at a classic desk, you must be able to adjust the stool so that your feet rest flat on the floor when you are sitting.
If you have a sit-stand desk, the seat height amplitude of your chair must be sufficient to adjust to the height of the desk surface.
Adaptability to your body type and needs
Height adjustment of the stool is essential to adapt to the size of its user and thus offer an adequate posture.
Each type of ergonomic stool meets specific needs.
For those who suffer from the lower back, saddle stools are perfect for relieving lower back pain. The upright posture and hip opening they offer release the pressure experienced in the lower back region during passive sitting.
People who like to move or who wish to integrate more movement into their workday can opt for an oscillating seat or a ball chair. This type of dynamic seating encourages movement and strengthens deep muscles.
Mobility or support: what compromise for your work?
Among the needs to define to choose your ergonomic stool well, you must ask yourself this question: do I need to move during my work?
If your job requires great precision in your movements, saddle stools and kneeling chairs may suit you.
Conversely, they are very restrictive if you need to pivot and get up often. In this case, prefer seats that free up movement by offering greater mobility (exercise ball chair, oscillating stool, etc.).
With or without a backrest?
A stool is initially designed without a backrest. As such, it offers 360° freedom of movement, encourages spinal alignment, and promotes better posture.
However, for sitting periods longer than 4 hours a day, it may be wise to choose an ergonomic stool with a backrest. The lumbar support helps to rest the muscles in case of fatigue.
With or without casters?
Whether you choose a fixed base with glides or one with casters, the choice of base for your ergonomic stool depends on how you intend to use it.
If you need to move around regularly, opt for a stool with casters, which offers more mobility. On most models, the casters are self-braking to ensure optimal safety while seated.
Conversely, choose a stool with non-slip rubber bases ("Swopper" or "Varier" style) if you don't need to move around during your working hours. On oscillating or sit-stand models, the glides provide a stable point of support on the floor. This allows you to move your pelvis without the risk of sliding.
Design and spatial integration
Ergonomic stools sometimes have a rather austere look, as they are often associated with the medical environment. However, some models offer a more contemporary design, intended to integrate into different professional settings.
While the dynamic stool was long confined to leather or faux leather coverings, it is now available in warmer and breathable textiles such as mesh.
Base stability and maximum weight capacity
Stability is a primary criterion to consider when choosing an ergonomic stool. It ensures your safety while seated and during any shifts in position or movement.
Ensure that the stool's base is wide enough to support movement without tipping over.
Also, check the maximum weight capacity of the stool indicated by the manufacturer. It must be adapted to your weight and the intended use of the seat.
Duration of use: a seat for a few hours or for alternating?
Using a dynamic stool as your primary seat versus a secondary one changes the game.
Most models are perfectly suited for short work sessions.
However, for a duration of use exceeding 4 hours per day, kneeling stools or saddle seats can prove uncomfortable in the long run.
For a full day, prefer a soft seat such as that offered by an exercise ball chair for maximum comfort.
What is the best ergonomic office stool for your workstation?
For a classic desk
If you work at a standard desk, many models of ergonomic stools may be suitable: kneeling chairs, oscillating seats, exercise ball chairs...
The important thing for a successful ergonomic setup of your workspace is the adjustment of the seat height, in harmony with that of the desk and your body type.
For working at a sit-stand desk
The sit-stand stool is useful for accompanying the height variations of a sit-stand desk. It allows you to rest your legs while standing and incorporates an intermediate position between standing and sitting.
The exercise ball chair is also easy to pair with a sit-stand desk, as it allows you to get up easily.
To integrate more movement into your day
Pivoting, moving around, getting up unexpectedly and sitting back down immediately... Are all these movements part of how you work?
The dynamic seating of an oscillating stool or an exercise ball chair is to be preferred in your case.
Limits of ergonomic stools to know before choosing
Dynamic seating is not suitable for all tasks
Certain activities require high precision and stability (sewing, watchmaking, jewelry making, surgery...). Dynamic seating on an ergonomic stool is not always appropriate for these types of tasks.
Adaptation time may vary by model
An adaptation period, which may be more or less long depending on the model, is necessary to integrate an ergonomic stool into your work habits.
The configuration of a kneeling stool, a saddle seat, or an oscillating seat is very different from that of a standard chair.
This is why it is recommended to gradually incorporate the ergonomic stool into your workspace. You can start with short sessions of 20-30 minutes, then increase the duration of use as you gain comfort and find the right posture.
The right adjustment matters as much as the choice of stool
An ergonomic stool can lose all its effectiveness if it is unsuited to your workspace. This can happen if the model does not match your needs or if the seat height is not adjusted correctly. The chair can then quickly become uncomfortable.
Conclusion
To choose the best-suited model, the important thing is to consider your workstation, your body type, the intended duration of use, and your needs to move during your activity.
Then, it is necessary to adjust the settings of your new seat to your environment for optimal effectiveness.
Whether you are looking for a model to relieve lower back pain, improve your postural comfort, vary positions, or gain mobility, there is bound to be an ergonomic stool that suits you.
The Bloon exercise ball chair is part of this commitment to bringing movement back into daily life and breaking with sedentary work habits.
FAQ about the ergonomic stool
What is the best ergonomic stool?
The best ergonomic stool is one that adapts to the height of your workstation while freeing up pelvic movement rather than fixing your posture. While the saddle stool is perfectly suited for elevated work surfaces, active seating like the exercise ball chair remains the most versatile for stimulating deep muscles and decompressing the spine at a standard desk.
Is an ergonomic stool suitable for the office?
Yes, an ergonomic stool is perfectly suitable for the office, provided you open the angle between your torso and thighs beyond 90° to naturally straighten your back. Depending on the model chosen, simply ensure you adjust its height so that your forearms rest flat on the surface, with elbows at right angles and shoulders relaxed.
Which ergonomic stool to choose for the back?
It all depends on the source of your tension: the saddle stool is ideal for preserving the natural lumbar arch by tilting the pelvis forward, while the exercise ball chair and oscillating stools relieve vertebral compression thanks to the air cushioning and gentle core engagement activated by micro-movements.
What is the difference between an ergonomic stool and a dynamic stool?
The term "ergonomic stool" defines a seat designed to improve work posture. It is often equipped with a specific configuration that allows it to be adapted to the body type and workstation.
The "dynamic stool" refers to a type of seat that adds the possibility of movement while seated. Oscillating and pivoting stools are dynamic seats that promote pelvic mobility.
What is the difference between a sit-stand stool and an oscillating stool?
The sit-stand stool features a high-travel gas lift designed to relieve the legs while in a semi-standing position at an elevated desk. The oscillating stool, meanwhile, is designed to accompany pelvic mobility thanks to a ball joint or curved base, usually at a conventional seat height.
Can you work all day on an ergonomic stool?
Some ergonomic stools are better suited for short work phases (4 hours maximum). For prolonged use, prefer comfortable models with a soft seat, like the exercise ball chair.
What is the difference between an ergonomic stool and an exercise ball chair?
An ergonomic stool has a firm seat, sometimes inclined or oscillating, and often offers adjustable height.
The exercise ball chair, meanwhile, offers a softer seat and total freedom of movement.
What is the budget for purchasing an ergonomic office stool?
Prices for ergonomic office stools vary depending on the features. Expect to spend around €80 for a basic model and up to €300 for the most sophisticated equipment.