Working comfortably without physical complaints
Whether you work from home or at the office: it is very important for your health that you work in a good posture. In this way you reduce the risk of physical complaints such as pain in your back, neck, shoulders and hips. A footrest can help with this, because it ensures that you adopt a good sitting position. PlusOnline tested the Blue Lion Lifestyle footrest for you.
For the test I used two footrests: an adjustable one with a non-slip cover and a non-adjustable one with a soft velboa cover. This way I was able to compare both heights and fabrics with each other. The adjustable footrest consists of two layers, which you can attach or detach from each other with Velcro. You can determine the correct height this way.
Adjustable footrest: high and low side
I’m not very tall myself, so in the beginning it took a while to find the right height for me in combination with my chair and desk. I did notice that I quickly preferred the lowest side of the adjustable footrest in terms of height, because my chair and desk are already well adjusted to my height. So I don’t need a lot of extra support. For my lower back, I like that this side of the support is straight and not sloping like the top and the other non-adjustable version. But that is of course very personal. The adjustable footrest is adjustable in two heights, 10 and 15 centimetres.
I really like the anti-slip cover: my feet stay well on the support. It is also a fabric that is pleasant all year round, from summer to winter. The fabric is not too warm, but still offers a slightly warmer surface than your cold floor. I often suffer from cold feet, so that makes working just a little more comfortable. If the velboa cover seems nicer, you can also order the adjustable version in this fabric.
Non-adjustable footrest
Do you have a desk or chair that cannot be adjusted (well) in height, then a non-adjustable footrest might be a good option. Especially when your chair is too high and you can’t get your feet close to the ground. According to Blue Lion Lifestyle, you should have both feet flat on the floor and the angle between your hips and thighs should be about 100 degrees. Is this not the case with you? Then the non-adjustable version is probably enough for you. This is available in the height of 12.5 centimeters.
I tested the non-adjustable footrest with the velboa cover. This is a very soft, warm fabric that you will undoubtedly like if you – just like me – have cold feet quickly. I mainly tested it in the colder months, so some extra warmth was certainly welcome. Both covers can be completely zipped off and can be washed in the washing machine.
Move with your footrest
What is also nice about both footrests: you can use them in several ways. For example, are you unable to sit still? Then simply turn your support around so that your feet rest on the flat area and your ankles can move. Your feet will then swing nicely on the cushion, so that you have a more active sitting position without noticing. This way you improve your blood circulation, you get more energy and you are more productive.
Are you ready for a short break? Grab your footrest and use it as an ab mat to do sit-ups. If you want to stretch and stretch in between, you can also use it as a back stretcher. This way you can stretch your back. It can also be a useful aid for certain yoga poses. In short: plenty of options with your footrest!
This article was written in collaboration with Blue Lion Lifestyle: a Dutch company founded in 2019 that sells lifestyle products: from footrests and back massage cushions to mini exercise bikes and pull-up bars.
