What is ‘sitting properly’?
NewsNewsOctober 18, 2024
Are you sitting comfortably?
Many of us spend most of the day sitting at a desk. As a result, the stress of hours of work accumulates in our hips, back and neck. The consequences of long hours of sitting can be difficult to fix.
We learn the importance of sitting right when we are children. “Can you sit properly?” and “Sit up straight” are phrases that almost every parent has said. On top of this, almost everyone can recognize bad posture when they see it. Leaning forward, sitting in strange positions, perching at the edge of the seat.
Why do we hunch?
The route cause is compensation. Our body can be divided into two parts: anterior chain and posterior chain. This is essentially the front and back of the body. We tend to contract the anterior with the posterior curving forward to compensate. If you look at someone sitting on a sofa, you’ll likely see a classic “shrimp” pose. The spine is far from following its classic S shape, ending up more like a simple C.
Some argue that our body chooses that pose, so it must be more natural and therefore good. However, in reality sitting like this is nothing more than compensation. Hunching forward feels nice for our anterior chain short-term but can have long-term negative consequences for our posterior chain. Most of us want to feel comfortable in the current moment. Sometimes we can maintain bad posture for years without serious problems.
Finding the right chair
A quick internet search will find you a thousand charts recommending the ideal position for sitting at a desk. Whatever your set up, consistency is key. Perfect posture for 3 days probably won’t help, but pretty good posture for 10 years is likely to make a difference.
Acquiring a good chair is also essential. Beyond the aesthetic, here are a few core things to consider when choosing a chair:
Height and weight
Each chair is designed for a specific height and weight. It is easy to fall into using a standard one, or reuse a “good chair”, but this can still present problems. It is important to look at the manufacturer's specifications and see if they fit your profile.
Adjustability
The more the better. Each person and their back are different. Therefore, we must be able to find the optimal chair for us. Adjustable armrests, lumbar support with height and tilt options, sliding seats, and adjustable tilt resistance all give us more ways to make it our chair.
Materials
This point is often lost. Good breathability can be beneficial for keeping our chair clean and fresh. A seat that’s too hard or too soft can also create problems. Consider how much your chair bends and how relaxed you feel sitting in it.
Nowadays, it is easy to find a lot of “gamer” chairs on the market. Despite what it may seem, these chairs are not ideal. Many gaming chairs were originally based on chairs designed to limit the mobility of the spine in car driving and reduce its impacts. As a result, gaming chairs are often a far cry from the flexibility and adjustability we need.
You don’t need to spend ridiculous amounts of money to get yourself a fancy Herman Miller chair. There are many acceptable options on the market. Some might seem expensive initially, but we use our chair for hours every day. It's worth finding one that works well and protects one of our most vital parts.
Think about how you’re sitting right now. Would your parents tell you to sit properly?

Sources
Quantifying the impacts of posture changes on office worker productivity: an exploratory study using effective computer interactions as a real-time indicator Link
How to Choose an Ergonomic Office Chair 2024 Link
Choosing the Right Ergonomic Office Chair Link
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