Sitting down for prolonged periods is a challenge for your lower body. Your hips, knees, and ankles are locked in place so you can focus on what’s happening up front. A good solution? Invest in one of the many saddle chairs available! They provide support from the upper thighs to the calves, which allows your legs to be at an angle rather than straight up and down. This positioning targets muscles all over your leg from the inner thigh, outer thigh, and calf. Moreover, some versions of this furniture have lumbar support that helps correct forward curvature in your lower back with extended sitting. Here’s everything you need to know about how a saddle chair can help align your spine and reduce strain on your hips, knees, and ankles while you read, watch TV, or work from home.

What is a Saddle Chair?

A saddle chair is a lie-down reclining chair with a thick seat that curves at the back to support your lumbar back and thighs. They’re often equipped with a lumbar extension that provides extra support to the lower back. People typically use a saddle chair for a few reasons: The main one being that the curved seat allows your lower back to rest naturally on the cushion rather than be pushed into it. Lumbar extension and other adjustments allow you to customize the support so you’re not artificially creating a curve in your lower back. With the padded seat, you can lie back while also maintaining proper spine alignment. This could be particularly helpful to reduce lower back pain while reading, watching TV, or working on your computer.

Does Sitting in a Saddle Chair help with posture?

Sitting in a saddle chair can help you maintain proper posture. This is because you have the option of slouching (or “sagging”) as you sit with a saddle chair versus sitting up straight with a regular chair. This is particularly helpful for those suffering from or looking to prevent lower back pain.

How to Use a Saddle Chair for Better Posture

Sit upright in the saddle chair with your back straight, hips level, and feet flat on the floor. Set the reclining angle of the seat to whatever position is most comfortable for you. Keep your upper body upright and your shoulders relaxed. Place one hand on your thigh to anchor it in place. Place the other hand on the floor to anchor your leg. Use the correct leg positioning to help maintain correct posture while also keeping your leg muscles engaged. While you maintain good posture, use the other hand to pull the foot of your chair closer to you. Continue to use the hand on the floor as an anchor as you engage your leg muscles to help improve your posture.

The Bottom Line

Saddle chairs can help with maintaining proper posture, it forces your body to sit straight therefore making sure that you are seated in the correct position. It is better to invest in a saddle chair than to experience health issues caused by the lack of proper posture.