While a dedicated gym routine is beneficial, incorporating small movements throughout the day also improves fitness. For desk workers, prolonged sitting is linked to reduced lifespan and issues like back pain and poor posture.
"Active sitting avoids the harms of passive sitting by introducing movement and increasing metabolic rate," says Dr. Turner Osler, CEO of QOR360. "These chairs have an unstable seat, engaging core muscles to maintain balance and posture."
Unlike under-desk treadmills, active chairs require less multitasking skill. They are designed to encourage subtle movement, keeping the spine and core engaged all day. Dr. Osler argues traditional office chairs confine rather than support.
Several companies sell active chairs, but a DIY version can be made using a balance disc or exercise ball. Any unstable base provides a constant, low-level workout for the spine during work hours.