Ergonomic Kneeling Chairs

Ergonomic kneeling chairs help you sit more upright by opening the hips and supporting your body’s natural alignment.

When used as part of an active seating setup, they encourage gentle movement and can make long
hours at a desk feel more comfortable and focused. Take a look through the range below, or find a Buro reseller in New
Zealand, who can help you choose the right seating option for your workspace

Close up view of person seated on a Buro Posturite stool with Mondo Lypta desk in background

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Supporting comfort through movement

Long periods of sitting can place unnecessary strain on the body, particularly when posture doesn’t change throughout the day. Buro’s kneeling and sit-stand chairs are designed to support a more flexible way of working, helping people move more naturally between positions and stay comfortable during desk-based tasks.

How Kneeling Chairs Encourage Upright Sitting

Kneeling chairs are designed to position the body in a way that naturally promotes upright sitting. By adjusting the relationship between the hips and knees, they support spinal alignment and help reduce the tendency to round the shoulders or collapse through the lower back.

Sit-Stand Chairs for Flexible Workstyles

Sit-stand chairs are suited to work environments where people regularly move between sitting and standing. Designed for use at different desk heights, they support perching and leaning, making it easier to change position without fully committing to one posture.

Using Active Seating as Part of a Balanced Setup

Kneeling and sit-stand chairs work best when used alongside other seating options. Rotating between different chairs and standing positions throughout the day helps spread the load across the body and supports more sustainable sitting habits over time.

buro polo physio

Who are kneeling chairs for?

Kneeling chairs are a practical option for people who regularly switch between sitting and standing, supporting a more upright posture and encouraging movement throughout the day.

Dynamic Office Environments

Sit-stand and kneeling chairs work well in flexible, fast-moving workplaces, making it easy to move between tasks, workstations, and different working heights.

Healthcare Providers

Buro’s ergonomic seating supports posture and comfort for healthcare professionals who spend long hours alternating between sitting and standing. Active seating can help reduce muscle tension and support focus during demanding workdays.

Schools and Educational Spaces

In schools and education settings, sit-stand and kneeling chairs can support physical movement and engagement, helping create learning environments that encourage healthier sitting habits.

Creative Industries

Artists, designers, architects, and writers often choose kneeling chairs for the forward-leaning posture they support, which can feel more natural during drawing, writing, and design-focused tasks.

Why Buro’s kneeling and sit-stand chairs are used across Australasia.

buro polo drafting

Designs approved by leading healthcare professionals

Our sit-stand chairs are designed to support health and wellbeing. Our range features kneeling chairs and stools endorsed by the Australian Physiotherapy Association.

buro polo active seat

An incredible eye for detail

Our close eye for detail has empowered us to design chairs and stools that support active and dynamic sitting. You can tune your chair to fit your working style and promote great posture.

buro posturite

Sustainable seating solutions

A range of international designers have developed sleek-looking kneeling chairs that fit into any office environment while prioritising the use of sustainable materials and manufacturing practices.

Explore our case studies

Trusted by Australasia’s Biggest Employers

  • Central Lakes Physio

    Waiting room chairs help to improve patient's comfort, especially those with injuries.
  • Reform Radiology

    The wellbeing of healthcare staff was prioritised with ergonomic healthcare stools and office furniture.
  • Australian Physiotherapy Association

    Standing desks and Buro Mentor chairs creating a healthy workplace environment and prioritise workplace health.
  • Trusted by millions in New Zealand since 1994

    Great stool - have now purchased 4 for each of our clinic rooms. Easy to maneuver and move up and down. I love that the lift handle is accessible all the way around. - Hurdleys Office Furniture customer
    Five stars!
    Beautiful looking chair, looking forward to years of healthy comfort

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Sit-Stand & Kneeling Chairs

    Are kneeling chairs good for back pain?

    Yes, a great ergonomic kneeling chair can ensure this alignment is safely supported to reduce back pain effectively.

    Back pain from sitting can be caused by several factors. A kneeling office chair may improve this, especially if people suffer from tight hip flexors or sciatica. When the knees are lower than the hips, this opens the hips and releases tension from the lumbar spine.

    What is the best chair for relieving sciatica?

    The Buro Knee Chair is a great option if you are experiencing sciatic pain from sitting.

    Sciatica causes nerve pain and tingling or numbness in the back, hip, and leg, which can become distracting and exhausting. Finding the right ergonomic chair can make all the difference in healing sciatica for people who spend long hours sitting at a desk.

    How do sit-stand and kneeling chairs compare to standard ergonomic office chairs?

    Sit-stand and kneeling chairs support active sitting by encouraging movement and posture changes throughout the workday. They allow users to switch between sitting, perching, standing, or kneeling, helping reduce time spent in one fixed position.

    Standard ergonomic office chairs focus on seated support, with features like lumbar support, adjustable armrests, and recline to improve comfort during prolonged sitting. Many people use sit-stand or kneeling chairs alongside a traditional ergonomic chair as part of a varied seating setup.

    What types of adjustments are available for your kneeling and sit-stand chairs?

    The primary adjustment is seat height, allowing you to choose the ideal perching height. However, the specific adjustable features vary between different models, so it’s important to consider your personal needs and workspace requirements when choosing your solution.

    Check the relevant product page to explore the features of each kneeling chair.

    Is it difficult to get used to a sit-stand chair?

    Adapting to a kneeling-sit-stand chair requires an adjustment period, influenced by factors like ergonomic fit, core and leg strength, and the compatibility of your work environment.

    Initially, you might experience discomfort as your body gets accustomed to the active sitting posture, which engages your core and leg muscles differently than traditional chairs. It’s crucial to start with short periods of kneeling and standing, gradually increasing them to avoid fatigue. Listening to your body’s signals and making necessary adjustments to the chair and workspace setup are essential for a smooth transition.

    What is the difference between a sit-stand chair and a kneeling chair?

    Sit-stand chairs are designed to support movement between sitting and standing, making them well-suited to height-adjustable desks and flexible workstyles. They encourage regular posture changes and help reduce time spent fully seated.

    Kneeling chairs support an upright sitting position by using a forward-tilted seat and knee supports to help align the spine. They’re often used for focused seated work and are commonly alternated with other seating options rather than used all day continuously.

    How long does it take to see the benefits of using an ergonomic kneeling chair?

    Most people report feeling positive effects within a few weeks of consistent use. Here's a general timeline of what to expect:

    • First Few Days:
      Your body will likely feel some unfamiliar sensations, like increased engagement of your core muscles, as you maintain an upright kneeling posture. This can lead to some muscle soreness initially.
    • 1-2 Weeks:
      As your body adapts to the kneeling position, you may notice improvements in your posture and spinal alignment. The open angle between your thighs and torso encourages an upright seated position.​
    • 2-4 Weeks:
      Many people report less lower back pain/strain in this timeframe as the chair takes the pressure off the spine. Improved circulation from the open hip angle can reduce numbness/tingling.​
    • 1-2 Months:
      You should be well-adjusted to the kneeling posture at this point. Users often feel increased focus/productivity from the required engaged core muscle use.​
    • Long-Term:
      Consistent kneeling chair use can provide ongoing benefits like reduced upper/lower back issues, improved posture habits, increased core strength, and better circulation in the legs/hips.

    FIND THE PERFECT CHAIR to support your body

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    Where to Buy

    Make your workday a productive one. Our team and trusted partners can help you find the best kneeling chairs New Zealand offers. Find a reseller or showroom today to find the perfect seating solution to support you or your staff.

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