Which is a Better Workstation: Standing Desks or Kneeling Chairs?

Whether at home or in the office, the right workspace setup can have a major impact on morale, health, and productivity. In fact, a workplace wellness survey revealed that 87% of employees prefer healthier workspace benefits—including wellness rooms, fitness perks, sit-stand desks, and ergonomic seating.

Two of the most talked-about trends in ergonomic office furniture today are the kneeling chair and the standing desk. Both aim to improve posture, reduce discomfort, and support long-term wellness, but which one is right for you?

Let’s compare their features, benefits, and impact on health and performance.

The Kneeling Chair

The modern kneeling chair was first introduced in 1979 by Hans Christian Mengshoel and Peter Opsvik. Its design reduces lower back pressure by distributing body weight between the buttocks and the shins. With a forward-sloping seat and shin cushions, it tilts the pelvis forward, encouraging the spine to adopt a more natural alignment.

Benefits of a Kneeling Chair

• Promotes proper spinal alignment

• Engages core and back muscles (since there’s no backrest)

• Reduces pressure points compared to traditional chairs

• Encourages active sitting and stronger posture over time

However, movement is limited, as your legs remain in the shin supports. Extended use may lead to back, neck, or shoulder discomfort, especially if you remain seated for long hours without breaks.

The Standing Desk

The standing desk has been around for centuries, with reports that Leonardo da Vinci used one in the 15th century. Its concept is simple: work while standing instead of sitting. Modern designs range from fixed-height models to adjustable desks powered by quiet electric motors.

Benefits of a Standing Desk

• Encourages movement and blood circulation

• Allows easy transition between sitting and standing (with adjustable models)

• Supports weight management by burning more calories than sitting

• Reduces risks of chronic conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and even poor posture-related issues

• Offers flexibility, making it easier to customize your workspace

No wonder standing desks are popular with tech giants like Google, Facebook, and Apple—and even high-profile advocates like Tim Cook of Apple and Winston Churchill.

Ergonomics: Science of Comfort and Productivity

According to the International Ergonomics Association, ergonomics is the “science of work.” A well-designed ergonomic workspace boosts efficiency, reduces discomfort, and supports wellness.

Case studies from the Washington State Department of Labour and Industries show that ergonomic solutions:

• Improve productivity and work quality

• Enhance employee engagement

• Reduce workplace injuries

• Contribute to long-term cost savings

Both kneeling chairs and standing desks provide ergonomic benefits, but they support the body in different ways.

Wellness Benefits

Workplace wellness programs are on the rise. The Society for Human Resource Management’s 2018 Employee Benefits Survey showed that companies offering wellness benefits—like standing desks—more than doubled between 2014 and 2018.

• Standing Desks: Promote freedom of movement, support cardiovascular health, and boost energy and focus throughout the day.

• Kneeling Chairs: Help with spinal alignment and core strengthening, but limit mobility since the body remains locked into one position.

Movement is essential for both physical and cognitive wellness. Studies suggest that regular activity improves concentration, memory, creativity, and stress management—areas where the standing desk clearly offers more flexibility.

Weight Management

Calories burned while working matter more than most people think.

• Sitting: 60–130 calories per hour

• Standing: 100–200 calories per hour

Kneeling chairs provide some core activation and muscle engagement, but don’t significantly increase calorie burn. In contrast, standing desks allow more consistent activity, which supports weight management and lowers risks of obesity-related health issues.

Sit or Stand: Which Should You Choose?

Both kneeling chairs and standing desks bring value to the modern workplace.

• Kneeling Chairs encourage proper spinal alignment and core engagement but may cause discomfort with prolonged use.

• Standing Desks support mobility, calorie burn, posture, and overall wellness—making them the more versatile and popular choice among employees and employers alike.

Final Takeaway

For long-term health, productivity, and workplace satisfaction, the standing desk offers more advantages. Pair it with regular movement, stretching, and breaks for the best results.