In this guide we’ll look at the best meditation benches for bad knees and bad backs.
Meditation benches are one of the most important furniture items you can buy for your Zen room. Why? Because they improve your posture.
When you are meditating it is imperative that you sit with good posture. Otherwise you will be at risk of injuring your knees, your spine, and other areas of the body. This is why I spend a good five minutes in all my online meditation lessons checking that my students have good posture.
Plus, sitting with good posture makes it easier to focus when you meditate.
Thankfully, you do have a few options. You could get:
- A chair [here’s our picks of the best meditation chairs]
- A cushion [READ: best cushions]
- Or a bench.
Let me show you my personal picks of the best meditation benches for bad backs and knees in 2021. They will improve your posture, help you to meditate, and be an essential tool whether you’re meditating at home or heading off to a retreat.
Let me show you how to get the most out of meditation.
Come meditate with me today!
The 6 Best Meditation Benches for bad backs and knee pain
1: Still Sitting Nomad
This is the best meditation bench to travel with if you are attending a retreat.
What makes it so good is the fact that it’s foldable and light, so it’s very easy to carry around.
The Nomad Meditation Bench is totally different to most benches. It has a unique design that makes it, in my experience, the most comfortable one to buy. It comes in two different sizes depending on your body type and is specifically designed to be used when in Seiza position (kneeling).
A cool feature of this one is the adjustable height. You can always find the perfect sitting position for you. And many people have commented that this one is great for people with knee and back problems. You can also get it here.
Pros:
- Perfect for travel
- Adjustable height
- Good for bad backs and bad knees
Cons: Some people find that the legs get in the way when kneeling
2: Spoko
This is one of the best low meditation benches. It’s handmade from birch wood and comes in just three pieces so it’s very easy to assemble. The manufacturer states that it will improve your blood circulation and energy levels, though I doubt that’s been scientifically proven.
Either way, it’s a beautiful bench with plenty of space if you’re plus-size. When you get it you will want to try sitting in different positions to find the best position for your body type. It’s also on Etsy
3: Bamboo Ergonomic Meditation Bench
The Bamboo Ergonomic Meditation Bench is specifically designed for Seiza (kneeling practice). It offers lots of support for the spine and reduces the pressure on your knees to prevent knee injury.
It’s a portable bench, meaning it is a good choice if you’re going on a yoga retreat. Plus, it is one of the best for bad knees and bad backs. There is enough space on the bench to sit with your legs crossed too if you prefer.
One of the best things about this one is that it is very durable for the price point. The hinges are made of stainless steel so it’s not liable to break. And the wood is, of course, bamboo.
This is one of the best meditation benches for larger people too because it has very sturdy construction. It’s also on Walmart.
PROS:
- Good for travel
- Great for plus size
- Great for bad knees and backs
Cons:
- Looks a little plain
4: IKUKO WOODEN Meditation Bench
The Ikuko Wooden Meditation Bench was designed to make sitting down feel more natural. It does this by making you sit in a relaxed way and with good posture. It was specifically designed for lotus and half-lotus positions.
The maker notes that you can also sit in other positions when using this bench. And of course, you don’t just have to use it for meditating either. It’s bench for sitting to have a cup of green tea.
It features an open sitting angle and helps you to sit up straight without slouching. This puts your spine in good alignment to prevent spinal injury.
When you sit in the Ikuko Wooden Meditation Bench you feel your chest opening, which is excellent for the passage of chi and for helping to open your chakras. A neat little bonus is that you can dismantle it, so it is easy to carry when travelling.
PROS:
- Looks beautiful
- Solid design
- Good back pain
- Good for knee pain
- Helps with posture
- Can be dismantled for travelling
CONS:
- Not ideal for taller meditators.
5: Acacia
You will likely have noticed that it is hard for tall people to find the best meditation bench to buy. Thankfullythis one solves that problem. This is suitable for people up to 6 foot 1.
It is a high-quality build. But there is a catch. It cannot be dismantled, which means that it is also one of the more difficult seats to travel with.
With this wooden meditation bench you get a trade off. It is very comfortable, and it is of high quality build, but it is heavy and hard to move. So if you want a bench for tall people and you’re happy to keep in one place, this is perfect. But if you want to travel with it, look elsewhere.
PROS:
- High quality build
- Very comfortable
- Looks great
- Great meditation bench for bad knees, especially for tall people
CONS:
- Heavy.
- Difficult to travel with.
- Not exactly the best meditation bench for back support
6: JOY IS WITHIN YOU
This is a beautiful option that takes the weight off of your legs. Perfect for people who prefer to kneel. And the best thing about this bench is that it is handmade to exceptionally high quality, so when you put it in your Zen room it really adds a focal point.
One of the problems with kneeling when meditating is that your legs fall asleep, which prevents you from focusing. This seat offers a solution to that problem by letting you kneel in a natural position without the usual discomfort. Plus, in my experience, the cushion offers just the right amount of support.
The wood is light but strong and made of sustainably harvested pine timber.
This is not a foldable one so it is not ideal for travel. But this is a trade-off because while you lose portability but gain durability and sturdiness.
PROS:
- Looks beautiful
- Very high quality build
- Very comfortable for kneeling
- Good for knee pain
CONS:
- Not portable
- Not the best for back support.
These are the best meditation benches to buy if you want to improve your posture so you can sit for longer periods of time without knee and back pain.
Which is your favorite?
Paul Harrison is a passionate meditation teacher who believes in genuine, authentic meditation. He has more than 15 years experience in meditation and mindfulness. He studied meditation in beautiful Oxford, UK, and Hamilton Ontario Canada, and earned his degree at Staffordshire University.
“My goal is to provide the most authentic meditation sessions so you can harness the power of your own mind for personal transformation” – Paul Harrison