If you’ve been scrolling TikTok lately, you might have seen some of the office chairs that have gone viral. From cross-legged chairs to spinning meditation seats, they’re fun and eye-catching while also allowing users to sit in positions a standard office chair just doesn’t allow.
But before you rush to click “buy”, are they actually good and supportive for your body?
While viral chairs might look amazing online, they’re often missing the most important thing an office chair can give you: proper support. They might be great for doing your makeup or catching up on some emails, but problems arise when they’re used for hours every day.
In this article, we’re looking at three viral and trendy office chairs that could do more harm than good. They would be better when used in conjunction with a quality ergonomic office chair that supports your natural seated position. We’ll also explain what you should look for in your office chair instead.
The cross-legged office chair
Sitting cross legged is a popular working position for many people. So much so, a special chair has been designed that is wider and deeper so you can purposefully cross your legs all day long.
But that’s where the flaws lie. Sitting with your legs in such a position can actually restrict blood flow, increase your blood pressure and compress the nerves in your legs. When maintained for long periods of time, it can lead to poor posture, spine and hip misalignment and increased risk of circulation issues.
While the chair, which went viral on TikTok and had almost 500 million views, looks lovely, it’s not designed with ergonomics in mind. Its seat is much deeper than a regular chair and so the backs of your knees will catch on it, preventing you from sitting further into the seat and using the back support correctly.
One user has said, “It can be a little challenging to reach your feet to the floor when sitting all the way back in the chair. If I catch myself sitting in one position for too long, my feet occasionally fall asleep.”
If you want to cross your legs while you work, we advise you do this with an ergonomically designed office chair instead.
The kneeling chair
Another viral chair that did the rounds a few years ago, the kneeling chair is angled slightly forward with a rest for your knees to sit on. It has no back, so the idea is you’re using all of your back and core muscles correctly to gain good posture.
This chair was designed to balance the pelvis and spine, and therefore it can be ideal for anyone who works at a desk for long periods. But how good is it when you’re in the same position for hours on end?
Well, it can start to get a little uncomfortable. Yes, you’re working all those muscles properly and sitting correctly, but ultimately, you might get a little fed up after a while and revert back to your previous chair.
The idea of a kneeling chair is to use it occasionally, not necessarily all day or for hours at a time.
The meditation chair
The meditation chair is another one that’s done the viral rounds on TikTok, with around 50m views and 6m likes on one video alone. It’s sort of like a kneeling chair, only it has a backrest and a rest for your feet/legs that spins round. Honestly, it makes us feel a little dizzy watching the video.
The reviews online are…mixed. Some people love the freedom and flexibility that the chair gives you to change your seated position multiple times a day. Others find that the padding isn’t supportive or comfortable and that it’s not suited to sitting for long periods of time.
What kind of office chair should you choose instead?
If you’ve seen a viral office chair on TikTok or want to buy one simply because it’s a trend, it might be time to take a step back and think about what you actually need.
The best choice is a proper ergonomic office chair that’s fully adjustable. Ergonomic chairs are designed to support you where you need it most, including your neck, shoulders, arms and back.
Adjustors are necessary to ensure the chair fits you instead of the other way around. This might include height adjusters, seat tilts, seat depth adjustors, lumbar support, arm rests, neck rests and more.
So if you’re thinking of buying a new office chair, proceed with caution and consider a chair that’s been designed by engineers and tested for comfort instead of for social media trends.
