Sitting for too long kills , that's the alarming conclusion of the new book The Chair Kills , by Alexandre Dana and Victor Fersing (Eyrolles Publishing).
Weight gain, cardiovascular risks, back pain, anxiety, and decreased cognitive abilities… The harmful effects of a sedentary lifestyle are numerous. According to the WHO, it is the fourth leading cause of preventable death.
Exploring the consequences of prolonged sitting and concrete solutions for getting moving again, the book cites Bloon as an interesting alternative for active sitting.
The chair kills: a quick overview of the book that raises awareness about sedentary lifestyles
The book The Chair Kills by Alexandre Dana and Victor Fersing highlights a contemporary scourge: sedentary lifestyles.
Who are Alexandre Dana and Victor Fersing, and why did they write The Chair Kills?
Alexandre Dana has been an entrepreneur for 10 years, co-founder of LiveMentor and author of The LiveMentor Method . He joins forces with Victor Fersing, a specialist in the impact of screens on sedentary lifestyles and a member of the Lève Les Yeux association, to denounce the “sedentary trap” .
The key message: it is urgent to get your body moving again.
After an alarming observation regarding the increase in time spent sitting , the two authors collaborate to raise awareness of this silent scourge and share concrete solutions to bring movement back into our daily lives.
What you will find in the book: the harmful effects of a sedentary lifestyle and concrete solutions
Based on meetings with more than 100 experts, such as doctors, nutritionists, sociologists, psychologists or architects, the book details the effects of sedentary lifestyles on physical, mental and cognitive health and offers 42 concrete solutions to break with immobility .
This book is for you if:
- You spend your days sitting and you feel your body weakening,
- If you are a parent or educator and wish to motivate children to be more active,
- Whether you are a manager, entrepreneur, or employee and want to combat the loss of creativity at work,
- You are looking for alternatives to all-screen technology and the comfort that immobilizes you.
Why is sedentary lifestyle a public health issue today?
According to the WHO, sedentary lifestyles cause 5 million premature deaths worldwide each year . This scourge is only gaining ground in our modern society, which has forgotten that we are made to walk.
Increased time spent sitting
Contrary to popular belief, we are all affected by this problem , even people who practice a sporting activity.
Our current, more connected and urban lifestyle has drastically reduced daily movement. On average, we spend 8 hours a day sitting , which is more than half of our waking hours.
This drastic increase in sitting time stems in particular from the digitization of activities, the proliferation of screens, and the widespread adoption of remote work. Whether at the office, at school, at home, in the car, or on public transport, this habit has become second nature for everyone, young and old, despite its serious consequences.
What is "sitting disease"?
The English term “sitting disease” , literally “disease of the chair” , illustrates the risks of a sedentary lifestyle on health and longevity .
Popularized by the American endocrinologist James Levine and highlighted in the documentary The Chair That Kills (health magazine 36.9° on RTS), this expression sums up well the observation made by Alexandre Dana and Victor Fersing.
In France alone, the cost of lack of physical activity amounts to €140 billion per year, due to 38,000 deaths and 62,000 illnesses annually. More than 20% of adults estimate spending more than 7 hours sitting per day, and 8 out of 10 admit that their leisure screen time exceeds 3 hours daily.
Sitting for too long: what are the health risks?
Several scientific studies, confirmed by investigations carried out by Alexandre Dana and Victor Fersing, show that sitting for too long presents numerous risks to physical and mental health .
Moreover, people most exposed to sedentary postures would have a shorter life expectancy than those less so.
Cardiovascular and metabolic risks
Spending too much time sitting promotes weight gain, insulin resistance, slowed blood circulation and basal metabolism.
Therefore, prolonged immobility increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and venous disorders, but also cancers .
In the long term, sedentary people would have 2.5 times more risk of developing cardiovascular disease and 2 times more risk of developing diabetes.
The impacts on the back, muscles and joints
Sitting for long hours weakens postural muscles and leads to tension in the back, hips, shoulders, neck, legs and buttocks.
This muscle atrophy, combined with prolonged compression of the vertebral discs, can cause chronic pain or MSDs (musculoskeletal disorders), disc protrusions or hernias.
The dangers to mental health
Lack of movement promotes anxiety, stress, and a general decline in psychological well-being .
This correlation is explained in particular by a decrease in the production of endorphins and the regulation of neurotransmitters.
The effects on concentration, energy and productivity
Finally, a sedentary lifestyle has a negative impact on your cognitive abilities .
With less oxygen, your brain functions at a slower pace. This can lead to decreased alertness, difficulty concentrating, and a loss of efficiency and creativity.
As a result, you are less energetic and productive.
Common misconceptions about a sedentary lifestyle: what "The Chair Kills" debunks
There are a lot of misconceptions about sedentary lifestyles that La Chaise Tue attempts to dismantle.
"I play sports, so that makes up for everything."
This belief is false and dangerous. It's important to distinguish between a sedentary lifestyle and physical inactivity . One can absolutely be athletic by nature and still lead a sedentary lifestyle.
The book also denounces the trap of the "sedentary athlete." A single workout in the evening is not enough to compensate for the long hours spent sitting during the day. The harmful effects of a sedentary lifestyle accumulate hour by hour. One hour of exercise cannot therefore undo the previous eight hours of inactivity.
To combat this scourge, movement must be regular, broken up and spread throughout the day.
Perceived comfort as a priority at the expense of health
The chair has become a symbol of modern comfort, when in reality it is a trap that locks our body into immobility .
Prioritizing comfort over your health is a serious mistake, even if it can be delightful to sink into an ultra-comfortable chair. Ergonomic armchairs, plush cushions, and enveloping backrests are merely false solutions that perpetuate your passivity.
Instead of this static comfort, opt for a dynamic seat that promotes movement.
Invisible habits that trap us
The chair kills also points the finger at everyday behaviors and invisible habits such as sitting out of habit, underestimating fatigue and pain.
Because sitting has become the new norm, we no longer perceive the risks. This lack of awareness is dangerous and insidious.
Far from assigning blame, the book shows that the problem is more systemic than individual. Our lifestyle and environment condition our immobility. They "tie us to our chairs," particularly because of the omnipresence of screens, the layout of workstations, and cities.
What are the real solutions for getting back into motion according to "The Chair Kills" ?
Through this new book, Alexandre Dana and Victor Fersing offer no less than 42 concrete solutions for reintegrating movement at work, at home, at school, in transport and our leisure activities.
Take more active breaks throughout the day
Whether you are an employee, entrepreneur or student, remember to take active breaks throughout the day.
It's better to move a little, but regularly, than a lot all at once. For example, take a few steps between tasks, take the stairs instead of the elevator, stretch…
Using an app or an alarm, you can set a reminder every 30 minutes to do some stretches or simple exercises. The Pomodoro Technique, developed in the 1980s to improve time management and concentration, involves alternating 25 minutes of work with 5 minutes of active rest.
These micro-breaks are essential to reactivate blood circulation, relieve tension and combat immobility in general .
Reintroduce walking and active movement
The chair kills is a true tribute to walking, which has many benefits.
Instead of always taking the car or public transport, walk whenever possible. If you can, walk to work, do your shopping, or drop the children off at school. There are other ways to stay active, such as getting off the bus or train one stop earlier, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, getting up and walking to make calls, or going to your colleagues' offices instead of sending a message.
Always prioritize active transportation, such as your legs or cycling, to move without even realizing it.
Rethinking one's living and working environment
Inactivity stems not only from individual behaviors, but also from our living and working environment. That's why we need to rethink it to encourage movement.
At work, instead of opting for a traditional desk, choose sit-stand desks or walking desks. See our article on active furniture .
Active meetings are also a good way to avoid sitting down when it's not essential.
At home, create chair-free spaces for you and your children to engage in different activities.
Choose a seat that promotes movement
Because we are sometimes forced to remain seated, La Chaise Tue points out that it is possible to swap our static chair for a more dynamic seat , such as an active stool or a ball seat.
Their goal is not just to be “sitting well”, but also to combat passivity even while seated, by keeping the body in constant motion.
The Bloon balloon seat: moving from passive and harmful sitting to active sitting
During his appearance on Barbara Haddad's Level Up podcast , Victor Fersing specifies that he is sitting on a Bloon balloon seat , also mentioned in the book.
Bloon is establishing itself as a way to revolutionize one's sedentary daily routine .
What is active sitting?
Active sitting refers to a way of sitting that encourages movement and muscle engagement.
As such, the Bloon was specially designed by an osteopath to combat sedentary lifestyles and their symptoms .
Its modern design allows it to blend seamlessly into any interior, whether at the office or at home. Made with quality materials, the Bloon is a durable solution for staying active . Thanks to its height, firmness, and optimal support, it combines comfort and well-being .
Specific benefits of the Bloon balloon
The Bloon ball seat offers many benefits .
First, it naturally improves posture and muscle tone thanks to its controlled instability. This constant stimulation helps protect your back from musculoskeletal disorders .
By requiring you to make micro-movements to maintain balance, it stimulates your blood circulation and energy. You are more alert, focused, and productive .
Finally, Bloon promotes the release of endorphins, the feel-good hormones. You feel more serene .
Ball chair vs. traditional chair
A traditional chair confines you to immobility , making you vulnerable to the negative consequences of a sedentary lifestyle.
The Bloon exercise ball , on the other hand, promotes continuous, unrestricted movement . By encouraging an active posture , you gently strengthen your muscles and prevent tension. Without even realizing it, you burn calories thanks to the constant muscle engagement.
The findings of La Chaise Tue (The Chair Kills) are clear: sitting for too long is seriously detrimental to your health. Rather than feeling guilty, the key is to act quickly to reintroduce movement into your life . Frequent active breaks, walking, a suitable environment, and an exercise ball seat are all simple and accessible solutions to transform your lifestyle.