Driver
Giving your legs an easier position when driving
Nicola Tik
Most of the attention on driving comfort goes to your back, but where your legs sit plays a big part too. The position of your knees, thighs and feet affects how your weight is shared and how your lower back feels over a long drive. A few small adjustments can take some of that pressure off, especially if you spend a lot of time behind the wheel.
If your knees sit higher than your hips, your weight drops down through the base of your pelvis rather than being shared along your thighs. Over a long drive, with every bump adding to the load, this can leave your lower back and tailbone feeling it.
You could try raising the seat, or adjusting the seat base if your car allows, so your knees end up roughly level with your hips or a little lower. Many people find this small change makes a noticeable difference on longer journeys.
Your thighs are designed to take some of your weight, but only if they are actually in contact with the seat. If the front part of your seat drops away so only the back of your thighs touch, that support is lost.
If your seat has a tilt adjustment, you could angle the base so your thighs rest along it comfortably. Where a seat is built for an average height, shorter or taller drivers sometimes need to play with these settings more to find what supports them.
It is natural to settle into a lopsided position on a long drive, perhaps with one knee higher than the other. Held most of the time, an uneven position can gradually twist through the hips and leave one side feeling the strain.
Where the pedals allow, you could try keeping your legs fairly symmetrical, with your left foot resting on the footrest rather than tucked away. This gives that leg support and helps keep your hips level.
Leg position and back support work together. When your pelvis slides forward and your lower back flattens, the natural curve of your spine is lost, and your legs often end up in an awkward position as a result.
A small rolled towel in the hollow of your lower back helps keep your pelvis in a comfortable, upright position, which in turn lets your legs settle more naturally. If your car has built-in lumbar support, check it fills the curve of your back rather than pressing low on your tailbone.
No single position is a problem in itself. Discomfort tends to come from staying in one less-than-ideal position for most of a drive. The body likes variety, and it gets stiff when held still for too long.
It helps to have a comfortable default position to return to, while allowing yourself to shift and move within it. Breaking up longer drives with short stops gives your legs and back a proper chance to move and reset.
Once you have parked, a gentle stretch helps release the stiffness that builds in your legs and hips from sitting. Standing tall beside the car, you could gently lift one heel towards you, supporting yourself on the car, to ease the front of the thigh, then swap sides. A slow walk for a minute or two helps too.
If you would like to follow a guided version, VIDA has a short stretch video you can do at your own pace whenever you take a break.