The way I solved the problem for me was to get an ergonomic chair that fits me, and then remove the arm rests. This has allowed me the extra space to sit crosslegged, or with one leg tucked in and the other foot resting on the seat with the knee up. I find myself constantly moving around and standing up during breaks to get some water or a snack also helps and is a great opportunity for some stretching
We know a lot of you have been waiting for a guide on the “correct” way to floor-sit (the HOW), but we thought it’d be good to address the WHY’s for those who are still skeptical or on the fence. When we made our first floor sitting videos 5 years ago, we said that our dream desk setup would be one that could easily go from the floor to standing. Alas, such options did not exist. But… what if such an option exists today? 🤔 If you want to learn more about it, it’d be wise to subscribe to our channel and stay tuned for our upcoming video! 😉 What other doubts or questions do you have about sitting on the floor?
I started a week ago sitting on the floor, my setup looks almost like yours. Tbh its been the best for me. My hips are less stiff and i my back doesnt get tired, also my shoulders are much more relaxed. Ive been working 20years at desks, sitting or standing, but this a game changer. I dont want to be a domesticated pet and sedentary. the good thing about science is, that even if you dont believe it, its still true.
Inspired by your long term support for sitting on the floor, I did so a year ago. I've built a table just high enough to let my arms rest but hadn't had a chair or so, just pillows stacked for little support. I did switch my seating position a lot. I had it for some time now and was kinda okay with it - like you said: educational discomforting. One day after a long day with many meetings, I've tried to stand up and got the worst back pain I've ever had. I was not able to work for days and needed to do supportive exercises in swimming pools. It was for sure the long meetings that had an effect on my back pain since being in a meeting also uncovers the assumption that we need to sit still in the meeting. While ergonomics enables us to sit in one position for longer period of time, it doesn't solve the issue of unhealthy working and meeting culture for which need ergonomic chairs in the first place.
I had been dabbling in floor-sitting during work on and off for years, but I always had tried to put my back against something because I thought that having no back support for that long would destroy it. At some point this year I found myself in a situation where sitting on a chair without a back was significantly more comfortable for the setup I had to use, because it was a better height relative to the desk I was using. The real revelation happened when I realized that having no back support made me move more - stretching, changing positions, taking healthy breaks, etc. In no time, I was mind-blown to notice no back pain in the mornings or throughout the day, despite having scoliosis since I was a kid and experiencing at least some pain in the lower back in the morning no matter the amount of activity or comfort from the chairs and such. Then I decided to do some research and found a surprising amount of people dropping the back support and actually using floor desks and such, so I decided to join in - after all, I already had to rely on my body to support my back and spine, why keep the chair at that point? And it's probably the healthiest I've been in years, after numerous attempts at establishing a proper routine and setup. No back pain or headache from holding the same position, no knee pain (they barely even pop anymore), more space, more flexibility, more strength in some parts of my body. I even managed to make myself a dedicated floor desk space that allowed to move from working at the kitchen table, which blocked my partner from doing anything there when I had to work. I now realize that if I ever get to upgrade my setup to a bigger desk and maybe a tower rather than a laptop, I'll be able to do that for way cheaper because I won't have to hunt for the expensive ergonomic chairs and desks. So thank you, guys, thanks a lot for showcasing this... lifestyle? Approach? Whatever it is, it's amazing and improved my quality of life in so many ways. Really cool to see you keep telling us about it with your channel and I hope more people adopt the floor.
I'm so glad I found this channel! I think some people see the typical, comfortable, easy-to-use work chair as the definition of "ergonomic," but I also believe there is a form of ergonomics in floor sitting. I have a pretty nice "ergonomic" office chair that everyone else in my family loves, but I actually hate it. I naturally move around a lot, so I constantly have to change my sitting position. But there's always at least one thing that bothers me to no end, whether it be the size of the seat, arm rests, back rest, swivel mechanism. I hate sitting in one spot for a long time, so sitting on a chair for more than an hour is actually more uncomfortable for me. I never considered floor sitting until I saw your video! I hope to try it out and love it like you guys do. I was also wondering what you do to prevent slouching while floor sitting? I don't usually use my chair's back rest either because I'm always hunched over taking notes. Do you have any tips on fixing slouching?
We find sitting elevated on a cushion on the floor (without backrest) to naturally help us sit upright, but that would probably work differently for different people. Hope you can find something that works for you!
The biggest thing that causes back pain is prolonged sedentarism, so basicly staying in one position for a prolonged amount of time, thats why sit to stand desks have become so popular, while standing in your desk, there is 0 friction between being in the desk and walking around the room (specially if u put an underdesk treadmill), and since prolonged standing also has its problems, a sit to stand desk also allows you to sit in your ergo chair. The biggest problem I see with floor sitting is that it increases the friction between being in your desk and moving, while you might switch positions occasionally thats not enough moving, and when to actually move u need to get up from the floor, which is way more friction than getting up from a chair, and even more from just standing in your standing desk, you are bound to get up less times due to the added friction
Just discovered your channel through a Reddit post you made about your desk setup. So excited to follow you on your minimalist journey, I feel like we have a lot in common! After living in Japan for quite a while and coming back to the states I could see the stark contrast in what our furniture is really doing to us. We are designed to rest comfortably on the ground. Asia is so in tune with this but I feel like the west needs to catch up. At any rate keep up the good work 😎
Yeah although unfortunately, Asia is also "catching up" to the West when it comes to modernities, including furniture design 😅 Anyway, appreciate it, glad to have you here!
Still prefer my ergo chair & sit/stand desk for one reason: I can put a walking pad under the desk and walk while working. Feels great to get up, open the windows and "go for a walk." Just my perspective, I realize 1.5k - 2k worth of equipment is a lot more expensive than a pillow and a low desk 😅 Most uncomfort nowadays for me is typing on a standard keyboard. Will swap to splits as soon as I find the motivation to finally relearn typing on them
Hey I do floor siting work. But I have been having uncomfortable laptop table. I wish to customise it. Right now it's pretty basic 60x40x23, I wish to get a bigger one. Can. Seem to find it. May be I have to get it made. I like the one you have it's colour and wood. I am thinking 90 x 60 x 35. I am just thinking saw your chanell and that made be realise I actually like this stuff. Less furniture style. Even I eat food at the floor level with small table. Thanks please do let me know how to process further
subscribed, i moved recently and am currently without a desk and desk chair, this floor sitting idea seems great, i am always envious how kids can sit and rise from the floor like it is nothing, but it takes so much effort for me haha - i just wonder if desk heigh should be around elbow height (when sitting on floor) or a bit higher?
I went from conventional desk to standing desk to a combo of floor sitting desk and standing desk... however, this means that I have two desks... unless I can find a standing desk that goes down to 50cm (20in) and up to 120cm (47in). I've found some that are close, but never exactly quite what I need and to adjust one to what I need, I'd need to develop some metal working skills. But yeah, I love floor sitting... I actually started floor sitting when I had my kids. Playing with a baby basically requires floor sitting and I got comfortable with it and now I never want to sit in chairs. People look at me weird when I'm standing and everyone else is sitting in chairs.
I am moving out soon to a new place but I haven't gotten any furniture. This looks interesting, maybe I will give it a shot. I have considered a standing desk, but I think I like this idea of sitting on the floor more. I have always found sitting on the floor more comfortable than sitting on my brother's ergonomic chair anyway. Thanks! Good video. Edit: Can I know what desk is that though?
Thanks! They are IKEA tables with shortened legs. Check out thoughtworthy.co/favorites or watch some of our other floor sitting videos for more info on the desks.
I have spent my life seeking comfort and am agreement with you about how it is not good for us to be comfortable all the time. I am now trying to add some discomfort. Do you mind if I ask your age range? I am 54 and tried to get up off the floor as demonstrated in your other video. The one - legged balance example seemed impossible without special effects editing:) I am curious to see if I can get there at my age.
You have 20 years of wisdom on us, so naturally it may feel a little heavier :) Getting up from the floor can be a good indicator of health, but doing it with one leg isn't that important. All the best if you do try, though!
I am also 54 (55 in one month!), but due to debilitating fibromyalgia in my early 20’s, have spent the last 30+ years actively seeking to restore my anatomy with daily stretching, less frequent conditioning, and cultivating an awareness of body mechanics and pacing. As a result, I am in far better shape now than in my 20’s, and strive to keep improving. I was fortunate to start working in chronic pain rehab many years ago, and “practicing what we preach” has been life changing...many of what people consider to be the normal aches and pains of aging are highly preventable, and to a slightly lesser degree reversible! Lol, I have also been sitting on the floor more than any other surface for many years, and find it effortless to get down and back up hands free😁 Loooove this channel ❤️
i have ocd and i always wahsing whatever i sit on please give me some links to buy some floor thin cushion which are washable like u can change covers which made from cotton because i saw link that u use chemical cushions i sit on bare floor u cant use much position its agony only cross legged good but not fully my leg lose blood i just buyed a lot of chairs and all its bad im giving up i even sleep on floor and gaining fat on purpose to evem able to sit on floor
i switched to a floor sitting setup for my home office 14 years ago due to katy bowman etc and it left me with pelvic floor issues. sure it helped back pain since it alters external extension/flexion moments from ground reaction forces, but its just robbing peter to pay paul
technically, i always have been sitting on a chair with my legs up, so essentially like i would if i was sitting on the floor, but at least the desk is closer to standing height so i don't have to squat if the desk was set so low
I slept and sat on the floor for years with no real benefit. I finally found Alexander Technique lessons which taught me how to use myself well and now all my chronic pain is gone. I still prefer the floor. 😅
Cool video, I'm seriously considering building a work setup on the floor. We sit on the floor casually for a few hours every week to relax of play a board game or two. I'd like to recommend to find a little bit quieter space to record voice overs or maybe adjust the mic settings a little bit. I noticed the audio is muted in between the lines you speak around 5:40. Those changes of no background noise over the mic to speach with background noises is a bit unpleasant to listen to.
Sharp ears! I must have missed a few bits, as I'm still familiarizing myself with processing audio on a new editor. Tough reality of recording in an untreated room in a noisy neighborhood. But thanks for the heads up, appreciate it 👍
Floor sofas an such are real nifty managing a standard gaint bed an couch is like fighting a chimp and makes me body wanna be lazy every now an then when am busy writing reddit comments :p I still want that super chair since am not streaming for 16 hour squatting on the floor lol give me all options
The first 500 people to use our link skl.sh/thoughtworthyco10241 will get a 1 month free trial of Skillshare premium!
The way I solved the problem for me was to get an ergonomic chair that fits me, and then remove the arm rests. This has allowed me the extra space to sit crosslegged, or with one leg tucked in and the other foot resting on the seat with the knee up. I find myself constantly moving around and standing up during breaks to get some water or a snack also helps and is a great opportunity for some stretching
Not a bad idea!
We know a lot of you have been waiting for a guide on the “correct” way to floor-sit (the HOW), but we thought it’d be good to address the WHY’s for those who are still skeptical or on the fence.
When we made our first floor sitting videos 5 years ago, we said that our dream desk setup would be one that could easily go from the floor to standing. Alas, such options did not exist.
But… what if such an option exists today? 🤔
If you want to learn more about it, it’d be wise to subscribe to our channel and stay tuned for our upcoming video! 😉
What other doubts or questions do you have about sitting on the floor?
sitting on a fence seems like a good compromise. elevated from the floor and not too comfortable
@@bombombalu 😂
Finally, someone talking about it! Comfort is overrated. Always take the stairs in life! ❤
Totally. But those escalators are so tempting though 😆
Yes! I believe my expensive ergonomic chair caused more pain because I stayed in one position tooooo long! Thanks for this video!
Glad you enjoyed it! 🙌
I started a week ago sitting on the floor, my setup looks almost like yours. Tbh its been the best for me. My hips are less stiff and i my back doesnt get tired, also my shoulders are much more relaxed. Ive been working 20years at desks, sitting or standing, but this a game changer. I dont want to be a domesticated pet and sedentary. the good thing about science is, that even if you dont believe it, its still true.
Inspired by your long term support for sitting on the floor, I did so a year ago. I've built a table just high enough to let my arms rest but hadn't had a chair or so, just pillows stacked for little support. I did switch my seating position a lot. I had it for some time now and was kinda okay with it - like you said: educational discomforting.
One day after a long day with many meetings, I've tried to stand up and got the worst back pain I've ever had. I was not able to work for days and needed to do supportive exercises in swimming pools. It was for sure the long meetings that had an effect on my back pain since being in a meeting also uncovers the assumption that we need to sit still in the meeting.
While ergonomics enables us to sit in one position for longer period of time, it doesn't solve the issue of unhealthy working and meeting culture for which need ergonomic chairs in the first place.
Your videos inspire me to plan our future home with some floor sitting areas, to keep our children and ourselves more active indoors!
That's incredible to hear. Thank you! :)
I had been dabbling in floor-sitting during work on and off for years, but I always had tried to put my back against something because I thought that having no back support for that long would destroy it. At some point this year I found myself in a situation where sitting on a chair without a back was significantly more comfortable for the setup I had to use, because it was a better height relative to the desk I was using. The real revelation happened when I realized that having no back support made me move more - stretching, changing positions, taking healthy breaks, etc. In no time, I was mind-blown to notice no back pain in the mornings or throughout the day, despite having scoliosis since I was a kid and experiencing at least some pain in the lower back in the morning no matter the amount of activity or comfort from the chairs and such.
Then I decided to do some research and found a surprising amount of people dropping the back support and actually using floor desks and such, so I decided to join in - after all, I already had to rely on my body to support my back and spine, why keep the chair at that point?
And it's probably the healthiest I've been in years, after numerous attempts at establishing a proper routine and setup. No back pain or headache from holding the same position, no knee pain (they barely even pop anymore), more space, more flexibility, more strength in some parts of my body. I even managed to make myself a dedicated floor desk space that allowed to move from working at the kitchen table, which blocked my partner from doing anything there when I had to work. I now realize that if I ever get to upgrade my setup to a bigger desk and maybe a tower rather than a laptop, I'll be able to do that for way cheaper because I won't have to hunt for the expensive ergonomic chairs and desks.
So thank you, guys, thanks a lot for showcasing this... lifestyle? Approach? Whatever it is, it's amazing and improved my quality of life in so many ways. Really cool to see you keep telling us about it with your channel and I hope more people adopt the floor.
Amazing to hear! Thanks for sharing your experience, best of health 🫶
I agree 100%. Been a floor sitting for my computer use for about 10 years I think now. Forces me to take more mini breaks & keeps my hips open.
Nice! 👌
I'm so glad I found this channel! I think some people see the typical, comfortable, easy-to-use work chair as the definition of "ergonomic," but I also believe there is a form of ergonomics in floor sitting. I have a pretty nice "ergonomic" office chair that everyone else in my family loves, but I actually hate it. I naturally move around a lot, so I constantly have to change my sitting position. But there's always at least one thing that bothers me to no end, whether it be the size of the seat, arm rests, back rest, swivel mechanism. I hate sitting in one spot for a long time, so sitting on a chair for more than an hour is actually more uncomfortable for me. I never considered floor sitting until I saw your video! I hope to try it out and love it like you guys do. I was also wondering what you do to prevent slouching while floor sitting? I don't usually use my chair's back rest either because I'm always hunched over taking notes. Do you have any tips on fixing slouching?
We find sitting elevated on a cushion on the floor (without backrest) to naturally help us sit upright, but that would probably work differently for different people. Hope you can find something that works for you!
The biggest thing that causes back pain is prolonged sedentarism, so basicly staying in one position for a prolonged amount of time, thats why sit to stand desks have become so popular, while standing in your desk, there is 0 friction between being in the desk and walking around the room (specially if u put an underdesk treadmill), and since prolonged standing also has its problems, a sit to stand desk also allows you to sit in your ergo chair.
The biggest problem I see with floor sitting is that it increases the friction between being in your desk and moving, while you might switch positions occasionally thats not enough moving, and when to actually move u need to get up from the floor, which is way more friction than getting up from a chair, and even more from just standing in your standing desk, you are bound to get up less times due to the added friction
Just discovered your channel through a Reddit post you made about your desk setup. So excited to follow you on your minimalist journey, I feel like we have a lot in common!
After living in Japan for quite a while and coming back to the states I could see the stark contrast in what our furniture is really doing to us. We are designed to rest comfortably on the ground. Asia is so in tune with this but I feel like the west needs to catch up. At any rate keep up the good work 😎
Yeah although unfortunately, Asia is also "catching up" to the West when it comes to modernities, including furniture design 😅 Anyway, appreciate it, glad to have you here!
can't wait for your next video!
🥰🙌
Still prefer my ergo chair & sit/stand desk for one reason: I can put a walking pad under the desk and walk while working. Feels great to get up, open the windows and "go for a walk." Just my perspective, I realize 1.5k - 2k worth of equipment is a lot more expensive than a pillow and a low desk 😅
Most uncomfort nowadays for me is typing on a standard keyboard. Will swap to splits as soon as I find the motivation to finally relearn typing on them
This might be a stupid question, but does the floor chair with a back "lock" into place, or is it more of a the type of chair you can't lean back on?
Yes it locks in place and you can definitely lean on it 👌
Great video!! Where can I find the stool/desk with two levels? I love that it's mobile!
Those are step stools from IKEA, but they have discontinued this particular model 😔
Hey I do floor siting work.
But I have been having uncomfortable laptop table. I wish to customise it. Right now it's pretty basic 60x40x23, I wish to get a bigger one. Can. Seem to find it. May be I have to get it made. I like the one you have it's colour and wood. I am thinking 90 x 60 x 35. I am just thinking saw your chanell and that made be realise I actually like this stuff. Less furniture style. Even I eat food at the floor level with small table. Thanks please do let me know how to process further
subscribed, i moved recently and am currently without a desk and desk chair, this floor sitting idea seems great, i am always envious how kids can sit and rise from the floor like it is nothing, but it takes so much effort for me haha
- i just wonder if desk heigh should be around elbow height (when sitting on floor) or a bit higher?
Elbow height is usually a good starting point 👍 We’ll make a video about that in the future!
@@ThoughtworthyCo nice!
I went from conventional desk to standing desk to a combo of floor sitting desk and standing desk... however, this means that I have two desks... unless I can find a standing desk that goes down to 50cm (20in) and up to 120cm (47in). I've found some that are close, but never exactly quite what I need and to adjust one to what I need, I'd need to develop some metal working skills.
But yeah, I love floor sitting... I actually started floor sitting when I had my kids. Playing with a baby basically requires floor sitting and I got comfortable with it and now I never want to sit in chairs. People look at me weird when I'm standing and everyone else is sitting in chairs.
Definitely stick around for our next video, hopefully it'll introduce a solution that could work for you!
I am moving out soon to a new place but I haven't gotten any furniture. This looks interesting, maybe I will give it a shot. I have considered a standing desk, but I think I like this idea of sitting on the floor more. I have always found sitting on the floor more comfortable than sitting on my brother's ergonomic chair anyway. Thanks! Good video.
Edit: Can I know what desk is that though?
Thanks! They are IKEA tables with shortened legs. Check out thoughtworthy.co/favorites or watch some of our other floor sitting videos for more info on the desks.
Hello, this is a great video, thank you so much for sharing! I wanted to ask, what kind of desk are the ones you guys use? Where could I find one?
They're tables from IKEA, but we got someone to cut the legs short :)
Great perspective! Best to sit down!
Appreciate it! ❤️
This is Gonna b so Insightful TWC🔥🔥🔥👍n Happy Friday😀!!!….
Happy weekend! 💖
These are all really interesting points.
🙌
I really love all of your videos 🙂
Thanks! ❤️
I have spent my life seeking comfort and am agreement with you about how it is not good for us to be comfortable all the time. I am now trying to add some discomfort. Do you mind if I ask your age range? I am 54 and tried to get up off the floor as demonstrated in your other video. The one - legged balance example seemed impossible without special effects editing:) I am curious to see if I can get there at my age.
You have 20 years of wisdom on us, so naturally it may feel a little heavier :) Getting up from the floor can be a good indicator of health, but doing it with one leg isn't that important. All the best if you do try, though!
I am also 54 (55 in one month!), but due to debilitating fibromyalgia in my early 20’s, have spent the last 30+ years actively seeking to restore my anatomy with daily stretching, less frequent conditioning, and cultivating an awareness of body mechanics and pacing. As a result, I am in far better shape now than in my 20’s, and strive to keep improving. I was fortunate to start working in chronic pain rehab many years ago, and “practicing what we preach” has been life changing...many of what people consider to be the normal aches and pains of aging are highly preventable, and to a slightly lesser degree reversible!
Lol, I have also been sitting on the floor more than any other surface for many years, and find it effortless to get down and back up hands free😁
Loooove this channel ❤️
i have ocd and i always wahsing whatever i sit on please give me some links to buy some floor thin cushion which are washable like u can change covers which made from cotton because i saw link that u use chemical cushions i sit on bare floor u cant use much position its agony only cross legged good but not fully my leg lose blood i just buyed a lot of chairs and all its bad im giving up i even sleep on floor and gaining fat on purpose to evem able to sit on floor
Floor gang!!
How do you call these floor chairsyou got?
They're floor chairs from Muji.
i switched to a floor sitting setup for my home office 14 years ago due to katy bowman etc and it left me with pelvic floor issues. sure it helped back pain since it alters external extension/flexion moments from ground reaction forces, but its just robbing peter to pay paul
Maybe you could elaborate on your pelvic floor issues for others to learn more :)
technically, i always have been sitting on a chair with my legs up, so essentially like i would if i was sitting on the floor, but at least the desk is closer to standing height so i don't have to squat if the desk was set so low
I did floor sitting but then my legs get numb after a while. How do U overcome that?
Our legs would go numb too when we sit in a "wrong" position for too long, so the simplest way would be to keep switching positions! :)
I slept and sat on the floor for years with no real benefit. I finally found Alexander Technique lessons which taught me how to use myself well and now all my chronic pain is gone. I still prefer the floor. 😅
The cause of your backpain is probably stiff hamstrings. Hard tissue massage + mobility with weights is the solution. Thank me later ❤
I would like to add a small carpet so my legs feel better on it instead when it’s on solid floor
Good idea for sure 👍
So true. Ergonomic attempts to make the unhealthy more healthy. It's better to simply do the healthier thing.
👍👍
Cool video, I'm seriously considering building a work setup on the floor. We sit on the floor casually for a few hours every week to relax of play a board game or two. I'd like to recommend to find a little bit quieter space to record voice overs or maybe adjust the mic settings a little bit. I noticed the audio is muted in between the lines you speak around 5:40. Those changes of no background noise over the mic to speach with background noises is a bit unpleasant to listen to.
Sharp ears! I must have missed a few bits, as I'm still familiarizing myself with processing audio on a new editor. Tough reality of recording in an untreated room in a noisy neighborhood. But thanks for the heads up, appreciate it 👍
I can imagine myself being the only one sitting and working on the floor in the office 😂
Good way to stand out at work ;)
i use the same gym ring setup demmmm
Nice 👌
Floor sofas an such are real nifty managing a standard gaint bed an couch is like fighting a chimp and makes me body wanna be lazy every now an then when am busy writing reddit comments :p
I still want that super chair since am not streaming for 16 hour squatting on the floor lol give me all options
Options are good 👍
amen
🧡
🫶