Should You Really Take a Seat?

A recent article from Business Week has brought the ergonomics of the office chair back into the spotlight. It argues that the very act of sitting in your office chair for 8-9 hours a day can wreak havoc on your spine and cause permanent bodily damage.

Now, this isn't anything I hadn't heard before. But what I found interesting were the alternatives to sitting that were laid out in the article:

• Perching: "a half-standing position at barstool height that keeps weight on the legs and leaves the S-curve intact"
• The Swopper: "a hybrid stool seat" (more info here)
• The HAG Capisco chair: described as "funky" and "high" (here's an image)
• Treadmills: They suggest having employees walk on low-speeds while working or while in conferences.

I don't know if I buy into the argument that our chairs are going to kill us. Really, shouldn't we take responsibility for our own health? I mean, is a $400-$1000 chair or treadmill really going to solve your problem? If you sit/stand in any position for a long period of time, it's going to cause your body stress. (I do think the treadmill approach has some merit - minus the costs.) Once the novelty has worn off, my guess is that there will be just as many experts and research studies that condemn these new practices as dangerous/unhealthy as well.

I also think it's our sedentary lifestyle that harms us more than the chairs in which we sit.


I suggest simply taking regular breaks. Actually get up from your chair/perch/Swopper and walk around for a few moments throughout the day. It doesn't cost a thing, and helps you burn off some calories - as long as you don't stop at the vending machine.
 
What are your thoughts about these or other alternatives to the traditional office chair?