Sitting well as we age: why the right chair really matters
It’s a daily habit that has a big impact on comfort and posture, but the right chair can make all the difference.
It’s a daily habit that has a big impact on comfort and posture, but the right chair can make all the difference.
As we move through life, our routines change and one of the biggest daily habits we barely think about is sitting.
Whether we’re relaxing, reading, chatting or watching TV, we spend far more time seated than we realise. In fact, UK adults are now sitting for 9 to 10 hours a day, often even longer in later life. And yet, despite spending so much time in our chairs, most of us have never been taught how to sit in a way that truly supports our comfort, posture and wellbeing.
Put simply, sitting is something we all do but very few of us do well.
More than five decades ago in Yorkshire, one furniture company began noticing a growing problem: many people were uncomfortable not because of their bodies, but because their chairs simply didn’t fit them.
HSL, a family-run business, saw that countless people were living with needless aches, slouching postures and fatigue caused by poorly designed seating. So they set out with a simple but powerful idea:
Create furniture that supports the body properly, helps people sit comfortably for longer, and improves everyday wellbeing without compromising on style.
Since then, HSL has become a leader in posture-supporting furniture, loved nationwide for designs that feel as good as they look.
One of the realities of ageing is that our joints, muscles and spine benefit from proper support more than ever. Chairs that are too deep, too low, too soft or too wide make the body work harder simply to sit upright. Over time, this can contribute to:
That’s why a good chair should do more than look attractive; it should actively help your body maintain healthy alignment all day long.
Good posture begins with five essentials:
When these elements work together, the result is what HSL calls the perfect sit.
Just as clothes come in different sizes and cuts, the right armchair or sofa should match your proportions. Too many people settle for furniture that forces them into strained or awkward positions.
HSL’s approach is different: every piece is crafted to support the lower back, shoulders, neck and hips, encouraging relaxation, better posture and effortless comfort.
To understand how much difference supportive seating can make, HSL partnered with the University of Leeds. Under the guidance of movement-science expert Dr Andrea Utley, independent testing revealed measurable benefits when people sat in furniture built on HSL’s Clever Comfort™ principles, including:
In other words: the right chair doesn’t just feel better, it helps your body function better.
HSL’s designs are also endorsed by leading occupational therapist Julie Jennings, ensuring that every chair supports the body where it matters most: the lower back, neck, hips and shoulders. Her clinical insight ensures that each design promotes long-term, sustainable comfort that aligns with how the body naturally sits and moves.
Because every body is unique, HSL offers a complimentary, personalised seven-point seating assessment carried out by trained comfort specialists.
They review seven key aspects:
This ensures that your chair truly fits you, not the other way around.
For over 55 years, HSL’s craftspeople in Batley, West Yorkshire, have blended traditional craftsmanship with modern ergonomic science. Their collections range from classic fireside chairs to luxurious riser recliners, supportive sofas and adjustable beds, all available in multiple sizes, plus hundreds of fabrics and leathers.
Whatever your style, comfort is never compromised.
With more than 27,000 'Excellent' ratings on Trustpilot and over 60 showrooms across the UK, HSL has earned the trust of customers nationwide. Selected products can even be delivered, assembled and demonstrated in your home within as little as three days.
At the heart of HSL’s philosophy is a simple belief: when you sit well, you live well. The company remains committed to helping people enjoy greater comfort, better posture and improved everyday wellbeing, at every stage of life.
The information in this article has been provided to Saga Magazine by our partners. Readers remain responsible for determining if this product is suitable for their needs.
Saga does not endorse this product and cannot accept liability for any loss arising from information in this article.
[Hero image credit: HSL]
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