I hate bucket seats. I find it particularly irksome that a bucket-seat office chair would claim to be ergonomic because it goes against everything I’ve read or learned that would be beneficial for back health. So if your office chair or your car seat it a bucket seat (and it probably is) listen up. There is no way to sit in that seat that is beneficial for your butt, back or hip flexors.
If when you sit in a chair your knees are higher than your hips, you can give yourself all the back support you want, but it won’t cut it. Bucket seats have a carved out butt groove (the technical term) that force your hips to sit lower than your knees.
Check out that yellow line going from my hip socket to my knee. Which end looks higher to you?
Ergonomically for the health of your hips and spine, when you sit for an extended period you want your hips higher than your knees. Just imagine sitting on the floor with your legs out straight and trying to sit up tall. It’s hard, nearly impossible for most people that weren’t former ballerinas. I can almost guarantee you you’re rounded in your low back if you are in a bucket seat. I can push against your low back, but it can’t force you to sit tall with a neutral pelvis and if it does your hip flexors will take on the burden.
But if in the same scenario you sit on something—a garden kneeling pad, a yoga block, etc.—suddenly you can sit in a neutral pelvis—tall, proud and without the agony of trying to contort your body into neutral when it just can’t get there. Now return to the bucket chair image, which exacerbates the problem. You’re butt is even lower than your knees. How are you going to sit up tall? How are you going to get a neutral pelvis and spine? The odds are against you.
So, what to do to reduce bucket seat frustrations? You can buy a wedge and sit on that, but in the car if you are tall there might not be room. You could roll up a towel and sit on that. In the office you could sit on a stability ball that is large enough to get your hips higher than your knees. Or you could get or create a sit-stand desk so at least you have some variety.
These tips are good for everyone, but if you’re pain free, you probably won’t be motivated to try them. I get it. If you have chronic back pain, trying these different options might be helpful. You may just find a way to make your back happier.
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Totally agree. I drive for a long duration. Soon I get a new car I feel that bad hip and upper leg joint paint when stepping out. Well my older car was motorized for one and two I completely worn out the cushions that once gave it the bucket effect. Same for new office chairs compared to old worn out ones. Can’t stand anything that positions my knees up so high. Unnatural to say the least. Muscles at my pelvis are worn out after an hour in these moron bucket seats.
Thank you for explaining why I find bucket seats so uncomfortable. My boyfriend has just got a new car and I’m really struggling to get comfortable! Im 5’3 with long legs and a short back.
Rebecca, Thanks for reading. Try a wedge. The only thing is that in a car I sometimes find my head hits the ceiling with a wedge, which seems impossible. I’m only 5’4″–there are people much taller than me that sit in cars!
Thanks for posting this! This drives me crazy regarding my current car (which admittedly I’ve had for quite a few years now). The one I had before this had bench seats, which gave me no trouble at all. This car has bucket seats and I hate how they slope downward. I can never seem to position the seat well enough to be totally comfortable. I’ve got a cushion stuck behind me that my butt rests up against that helps some, but it’s not perfect. Like Rebecca who commented above, I’ve got long legs and a short torso (I’m about 5’2 1/2, 5’3).
Jess, yeah, I’m not sure there is a perfect solution to a bucket seat. Keep experimenting. Some are more comfortable (less sloping down) than others. I find my car better than my boyfriend’s.
Thanks for this article! I’m a 55 year old guy who drives an hour to work. At the end of my trips my hip, thighs and knees are shot. Now I know why, since I never had this problem with my previous car. The auto industry must know that this is an issue, especially with bulkier owners. This car seat has ruined my knees. Thanks to you I can now address the issue and improve my life
Norm, Thanks for reading. I hope it does help!
I’ve been looking for a good cushion for this exact reason. I literally can’t drive anymore using my gas right leg so use a hand to gas pedal extension thingy. Do you have a cushion you recommend? Oh I hope you do! All I’ve found is soft foam ones or memory foam which I’m assuming will allow your butt to let your butt sink in. I’d be so so grateful if you have a recommendation.
Hi Alison,
I’m sorry I don’t have a recommendation of a specific cushion. It’s a little about experimentation. Generally a foam wedge might work. It will prop you up higher. Some of those leave space for your tailbone–that couldn’t hurt. The problem with the wedge is that then the back of the bucket seat kind of hits you funny. So you may be able to roll up a towel or try a half foam roller on the back. Then you’ve got a lot of items on your seat. Maybe try just rolling up a beach towel or shower towel and see if that lift is enough first. If you find something that works for you, I’d love to hear.
I have arthiritis in my hip and the bucket seats are so narrow that the pads put pressure on the hip joint making car rides painful. I went to the local upholstery shop and bought 2″ foam to fill in the seat depression in the middle of The seat. (about 12″ wide X 20″ Long) then I glued 1″ foam an top of that to cover the whole seat (about 20″ x 20″). trim the edges and cover with a pillow case or old towel. Now I feel like I’m on my comfy chair at home. Pain gone. cost $20. Upholstery shop will cut and glue the foam.
Jerry–what a great tip! Thanks for sharing. And I’m so glad you found something that helped!!
Hi Maggie,
You are 100% correct! Bucket seats destroyed my lower back. I bought wedge cushions from so many different brands but they were all too soft. Then I came across the Build-a-Posture wedge cushion… it is a life saver! It’s an extra firm wedge cushion and works perfect. So happy to have figured out this secret!
Hi John. Glad you found something that worked!