5 Office Chairs You Can Sit Cross Legged In

Using office chairs you can sit cross legged in is not best for posture, trunk symmetry and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Often referred to Indian style or Turkish style sitting, the position still has its fans. However, it is not the office chair position most adhere by and finding a supportive chair can feel impossible.

Some of the best office chairs you can sit crossed legged in are those with no armrests. One leg can rest on top of another which is fine with most chairs. But sitting with the legs crossed underneath the body might not be as easy to support. This is why it has gotten the name of Indian style sitting. This type of sitting is seen both with office chairs and with gaming chairs.

What studies say about office chairs you can sit cross legged in

Most studies do not look specifically at the chairs which support cross legged sitting, but rather at the position itself. In a world of ergonomics, there are not too many studies to consider. However, we found 2 studies which show the negatives of this position, especially when sitting for hours.

Sitting cross legged leads to trunk asymmetry

A 2016 study of the Society of Physical Therapy Science shows how cross legged sitting leads to asymmetry in the position of the trunk, stiffness of the trunk muscles and limited lumbar rotation abilities.

The subjects of the study where ask to put their right leg over the left knee and maintain the position. As a result, the right side of the trunk shrunk in time. For the spine, the position led to concavity and convexity (anterior and posterior curvature) in time.

Sitting cross legged in an office chair increases blood pressure

A massive study on 238 subjects at the Marmara University College of Nursing in Istanbul showed significantly higher blood pressure for those who sit cross legged. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure increase in this position.

Those who can measure their own blood pressure can try this out at home as well. Normal systolic blood pressure is under 120mm Hg. Normal diastolic blood pressure is less than 80 mm Hg.

The 5 best office chairs you can sit crossed legged in

Even based on these two powerful studies, there are many people who simply prefer to sit crossed legged in a chair, on the floor, to meditate, etc. At the same time, even if sitting cross legged in an office chair, it doesn’t mean anything bad will happen if not taken to an extreme. Even studies show that these side effects are mostly seen after a few hours of sitting.

The same principles of alternating the sitting position apply for office chairs you can sit cross legged in. This being said, let’s have a look at a few good options for this unusual working position.

14 positions can be adjusted with the chair. There’s plenty of freedom to allow the spine to relax as it needs it after sitting cross legged. Even more, the plush foam cushioning shows a new hugging feel which many enjoy.

Flash Furniture Hercules Series Big & Tall

Any large chair can be useful for sitting cross legged. A wide seat pan is what can make the difference. However, the position might be impeded by armrests and this is why the Hercules is such an interesting option.

The chair has plenty of cushioning so there’s reduced pressure on the joints. With later support on the backrest and foam cushioning, it is actually a chair which would promote long hours of sitting cross legged in. However, as seen above, this might not be the best idea. Alternating the position with normal sitting is best. You can check it out over here on Amazon!

Features
Weight capacity	500 pounds
Seat width	58cm / 22.8 inch
Seat depth	59cm / 23.2 inch
Cushioning	CA17(fire retardant) foam

2. Stone & Beam Nailhead Swivel Office Chair with Wheels

With its premium feel, the chair is another top choice for sitting crossed legged in. Its high backrest offers plenty of support while the combination polyester lined materials offer a pleasant feel to the skin.

The chair also has 360 swivel freedom. When sitting cross-legged, the 360 freedom of movement gets a new meaning as it is actually 360. With no armrests, the chair will not feel uncomfortable for the knees either. You can check it out over here on Amazon!

Features
Chair weight	43.2 pounds
Seat width	28.4 inches
Seat depth	25.2 inches
Cushioning	Foam with elastic webbing

3. Sadie Swivel Mid Back Mesh Task Chair without Arms

The affordable option might be a good start for those unsure about sitting in an office chair cross legged. With its breathable backrest, it can promote long hours of sitting.

However, the chair has a low weight and as a result, it might not be the best option to lay back and relax as the two options above. Given cross legged sitting should not be upheld for the entire day, this can be seen as a minor issue. You can check it out over here on Amazon!

Features
Weight capacity	250 pounds
Seat width	24 inches
Seat depth	24 1/2”
Cushioning	Foam

4. BirdRock Home

The chair is not a traditional office design but rather a good gaming or relaxing chair. But given that sitting cross legged is mainly a matter of up to a few hours per day, it can be a backup solution for a more traditional office chair. Sitting in an Indian style and even working on a laptop is possible on the BirdRock Home.

Features
Weight capacity	250 pounds
Seat width	19 inches
Seat depth	22.5 inches
Cushioning	Chopped memory foam

5. Soul Seat (Large)

The Soul Seat seems to be the option at hand for those who only sit cross legged. Its large version has a 31” platform to support the legs and the knees as well as an elevated platform to rest on. As a result, the pressure on the spine is considerably reduced. Arguably, it also reduces muscle imbalances shown in the studies above.

As one of the few chairs with a 2-level seat pan, it can be a good option for those who can only sit cross legged. Its price can be prohibitive for some users and it’s safe to say the chair will not be seen in most offices too soon. However, it challenges what is known about ergonomic sitting and this is valuable on its own.

Features
Chair capacity	42lbs
Weight capacity	352 pounds
Seat width	30 inches
Seat depth	16 inches
Cover	Eco wool

Working from home update

Now that many people are working from home, sitting cross legged might even be more comfortable. 2 options are the easiest to sit in from this perspective.

a. FOM Chair With Leg Support

Made for prolonged sitting, this floor chair is very comfortable. Normally used in yoga, it can also represent a comfortable option for those who like to sit with their legs crossed. Made with 2 seatpans, it allows the user not to rest directly on the feet, thus, not restricting circulation as much as with other chairs.

A detachable lumbar support pillow is also added to the backrest. This pillow is height adjustable and anyone can use it. Ideally, the chair would work for someone working at a laptop at coffee table height and the lumbar support pillow can help maintain good posture and proper comfort in this setup. You can check it out here on Amazon!

Features
Chair weight	17lbs
Weight capacity	N/A
Seat width	22in
Seat depth	24in
Materials	40D foam, soft cotton with removable covers

b. Hea GH Legless Chair

If you need something a bit more professional while working from home, Hea GH’s chair can be a good option. It uses the same principles of working at ground level but it adds the benefit of a hard backrest, very similar to one on a regular office chair.

Available in 22 colors, the chair is a multi-function product as it can be used for working, gaming, and even mediation. Its only drawback is that some of its versions with backrest cutouts are not finished properly inside the cutouts which are not sanded properly and good sandpaper and 5 minutes of work should finish it off properly. You can check it out here on Amazon!

Features
Chair weight	variable
Colors	22
Assembly required	No
Cushion	Memory foam
Materials	Plywood, cotton, canvas

c. Alexia Meditation Seat

If you don’t need back support, there’s hardly anything more comfortable than a meditation seat such as the one made by Alexia. With a comfortable instep, it holds the butt and knees higher, which allows the relaxed sitting position when crossing your legs.

Made with neoprene foam cushioning, the seat is ready for short working periods of up to a few hours. For those who still need to work 8 hours per day, an alternative with a backrest or one of the wide office chairs above proves better. If you like the chair, you can check it out here on Amazon!

Features
Chair weight	15lbs
Colors	6
Assembly required	No
Cushion	neoprene foam
Materials	Leather and textile fabrics

d. Human Tool Portable Saddle Stool

A portable saddle stool can turn any chair into a cross legged sitting chair as long as its seat pan is wide enough and as long as it doesn’t have armrests.

This efficient design is made with an anti-slip base so that you get a good grip on almost any surface.

The base of the chair allows sway which means you won’t feel as stiff in this crossed position. Furthermore, the cushioned saddle is going to be useful for all types of back support muscles that aren’t activated when sitting on a regular chair. Get it here on Amazon.

Final words

These office chairs you can sit cross legged in prove to be some of the best. Most of them do not encourage sitting for a full 8-hour shift. But there is a sense that these chairs have not managed to meet the needs of those who sit cross legged in, especially when it comes to possible posture problems.

However, sitting cross legged in an office chair for up to 3 hours per day, with short breaks, might not be as bad as most think. Some even prefer chairs with armrests so they can rest their knees on, but this puts some extra lateral pressure on them and can shorten their durability.

Do you sit cross legged in an office chair? How’s the experience for you? Feel free to comment below.