Smarter: Is It Bad to Sit With Your Legs Crossed?

This week I’m examining whether sitting cross-legged has negative effects on your body. Also in this issue: how to get the most out of your gas tank, and our response to a reader’s question about how to make sure shower tiles stay clean.

THE BIG STORY

Are you a cross-legged sitter? I am, as are 81 percent of participants we asked in an Instagram poll. My preferred sitting pose is having one leg crossed over the knee or sometimes crossing my legs at my ankles, but I’ve often wondered whether these positions are harmful for my body.

So are they? Should we not sit with our legs crossed? Here’s what experts say.

First of all, sitting too long in any position can be harmful because our bodies aren’t meant to be stationary for very long, says Tara Jo Manal, DPT, vice president of scientific affairs at the American Physical Therapy Association.

There are some risks when you sit cross-legged, but this position is not particularly problematic if it’s done in very short durations, says Paul Ritchey, DrPH, a certified professional ergonomist at CR.

However, crossing your legs at the knees or having one ankle crossed over a knee for extended periods of time has been associated with temporary elevations in blood pressure, poor posture, and chronic musculoskeletal pain, says Max A. Fitzgerald, MD, an assistant professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.

It can pull your pelvis into a tilted position and, over time, potentially cause low back pain and even some misalignment in the spine. It can also lead to muscle tightness and pain.

Crossing your legs at the ankles is typically a little better than crossing them at your knees or having an ankle over a knee because it doesn’t cause as much pressure on the hips and pelvis, but it’s still not the most ideal sitting position, Max says.

And if you have issues with your hips, sitting cross-legged could have further negative effects on your body. For instance, people who have hip osteoarthritis or femoroacetabular impingement, a condition in which the bones of a hip joint aren’t shaped properly, might experience joint compression, inflammation, and pain when sitting cross-legged, says Jennifer Heberton, PT, a physical therapist at Hospital for Special Surgery, a medical center focused on musculoskeletal health in New York City.

What about the lotus pose?

This can be controversial. Meditation is considered to be beneficial for mental and even physical health, but the lotus position can put strain on the knees, Max says.

For a healthy person with good flexibility, short amounts of time spent in the lotus position during meditation or yoga should be okay if corresponding time is spent stretching the hip muscles and strengthening the thigh muscles. But if you have a history of knee issues, it’s probably best to find a different modified position, Max suggests.

Some sitting positions, including the lotus position, can be challenging and painful at first if your body isn’t accustomed to them. You can build your tolerance over time by stretching regularly, taking breaks, and changing your position when you feel pain or strain, says Hetal Kulkarni, PT, the center manager of Rush Physical Therapy who also works at Rush University Medical Center.

So what’s the best way to sit?

We’re not saying that you should never sit cross-legged, but as a general rule, try to sit with your feet flat on the ground or on a footrest and your knees bent at an angle of no less than 90 degrees.

But no matter how you’re sitting, make sure you’re changing your posture regularly and getting up and moving around to get the blood flowing whenever you can, says Dana Keester, MS, a CR ergonomics expert.

And if you have back pain from sitting in a chair, but you’re not sure about the cause, here are all the things you could be doing wrong.

Bonus link: Best office chairs we rated (available to CR members).

DID YOU KNOW THIS?

Photo: iStock Photo: iStock

Are you in the market to buy a new fridge? If you are, the amount of storage space is probably top of mind.

Here’s something you probably didn’t know. Our testers have found that the amount of usable storage in a fridge is often less than the amount claimed by manufacturers. In previous tests, the difference has been huge—as much as 32 percent less.

If you want to know the actual capacity of the model you’re considering buying, check out our refrigerator ratings (available to CR members).

Bonus link: Here are the most and least reliable fridge brands, according to our survey results (available to CR members).

ASK AN EXPERT

Question from a reader: I seem to have a really hard time keeping the grout in my shower clean. Do you have any helpful hints?

Answer:One of the best ways to clean grout is to use 1 cup of baking soda and 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide. Mix the two together, pour the mixture directly onto the grout lines, and let it sit for a few minutes before washing it away with warm water, says Marla Mock, president of cleaning company Molly Maid.

If you’re shopping for a grout cleaner, some of the most effective options are alkaline-based products and oxygen bleach products, Marla says. You should avoid chlorine bleach products because they can discolor the grout.

MUST-READS OF THE WEEK

🤧 How to Get Allergy Shots Without NeedlesInstead of injections, you place a tablet under your tongue. But will the tablets work for you?

🌱 10 Products Lawn and Garden Experts Swear By“Every gardener should have a bypass hand pruner,” says gardening expert Melinda Myers.

🚗 How to Find Car Insurance When You Have a Bad Driving RecordIt might be difficult to get insurance from a mainstream insurer, but don’t worry. Here’s what you can do.

🤔 What’s a Healthy Weight for You? Your body mass index isn’t the only factor in determining whether you need to lose weight.

TIP OF THE WEEK

Photo: iStock Photo: iStock

To save money on gas, make sure you try these test-proven tips on how to get the most out of your gas tank:

Skip the premium. You can forego premium gas unless your vehicle’s owner’s manual says it is required.

Obey speed limits. Higher speeds take a toll on fuel consumption, according to CR tests.

Remove roof and bike racks when not being used. Both disrupt airflow and hurt fuel economy.

Check tire pressure. It may not be something that immediately comes to mind, but lower tire pressure can affect your car’s performance, fuel economy, and treadwear.

Read more tips from us on how to maximize your fuel economy, and our advice on whether you should buy Top Tier gas.

"We’ll get to that leg when we cross it."

Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to include the fact that Tara Jo Manal is a doctor of physical therapy.

Pang-Chieh Ho

I'm a newsletter writer who likes looking into the different ways we can live smarter. The topics I cover typically explore unanswered questions we have about the products we use every day and bridge the gaps between what owners' manuals advise and what we actually do. In my spare time, I like to take photos, critique movies out loud while I watch (at home!), and take care of my ever-increasing plant "children."