Pottery Wheel Positions and Posture – All You Need to Know
There are different opinions as to which way is better, Sitting or Standing. Sitting down may give you more control over your clay, but Standing up may be easier on your back. Regardless of the type of Pottery Wheel, you decide to get – Sitting or Standing – there are still proper body positions and correct posture to be aware of.
I have a Full-size sit-down Brent CXC and a portable tabletop Speedball Artista to demonstrate the different positions for each wheel. I’m going to show you the proper Sitting and Standing positions while Throwing your Clay to help you be as comfortable at the wheel as possible!
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Sitting Position at the Pottery Wheel
Most new Potters will learn the Sitting down Position first. It’s the original way to throw your clay, and will always be the most popular way to make pottery. When you sit down to throw your clay, make sure your body position is comfortable and feels right.
How Do You Sit at a Pottery Wheel
Your posture makes a big difference when sitting at the wheel. You want to relax your body and remember to breathe. You will use your core body muscles, tuck your arms in and anchor them to your legs or the side of your body and let the process guide you at the wheel. Keep your back straight and remain close to the wheel using your whole upper body instead of just your arms and hands.
Try not to hunch over the wheel because this will ruin your back over the long term.
Some potters don’t sit close enough to the wheel. If you’re not close enough to the wheel, you may have to hunch over to work at the wheel. As you sit at the wheel, you want to sit with your pelvis pulled forward to align it with your spine. Hunching leaves the spine unsupported, which weakens the muscles over time.
Most potters say to sit with your stool parallel to the pottery wheel stand and your legs wrapped around the splash pan.
Be careful not to squeeze your legs against the splash pan as it is stressful on the body when throwing. Plus it can hurt your legs after a while as did with me when I started throwing. And remember a big part of the art of throwing clay on the wheel is to relax as you are creating with the clay.
What is the Best Stool for Pottery?
Many times, potters use an uncomfortable Stool. You may want to use a Pottery Stool that is comfortable enough for a good long pottery-making session. Your technique and body position can also make a huge difference when it comes to throwing at the wheel.
Does your seat sit higher than the wheel head? If so, position it so that your knees sit level with the wheel head. That promotes good circulation in the legs while feeling comfortable too. From the sitting position. You will want a stool or chair that is adjustable so you can find the height that is right for you. For more detailed information on selecting The pottery stool or chair that’s right for you check out My Top 4 Pottery Stools
Pros and Cons of Sitting at the Pottery Wheel
Let’s take a look at a few of the pros and cons so that you can make up your own mind on whether you would prefer to sit or stand at the wheel. Each comes with its own advantages and disadvantages.
Pros
- Most popular position throughout the pottery world
- Easier to stay steady while sitting
- Takes the pressure off the back when in the proper position
- Feels less mechanically complicated than the standing position
- Easier to center clay in the sitting position
Cons
- Hard on those with a bad back and can further inflame back problems.
- Easy to take on bad posture habits like leaning and hunching over.
Standing Position at the Pottery Wheel : What You Need to Know
Standing at the pottery wheel has become a more common position for throwing with portable pottery wheels like the Speedball Artista Table Top Wheel and the Shimpo Aspire Pottery Wheel. There are also full-size pottery wheels that have leg extensions.
The standing position helps to eliminate pressure on the back, but you should be aware of how it can put pressure on your knees and ankles.
How Do You Stand at a Pottery Wheel
It takes a little more time to learn how to throw in the standing position. Have your feet parallel to your hips and keep your back straight. Allow your whole body to help you center and throw the clay. Keep your elbows close to your body for more leverage with the clay.
When you stand, you should use your whole upper body to throw, not just your hands and arms because the incorrect use with your elbows in the air will put stress on the wrists and shoulders.
How High Should a Standing Pottery Wheel be?
When standing, the wheel head should sit around belly height. You don’t want the wheel too low because your back will bend, which can have the same effect as the sitting position. Put it too high, and you won’t be able to center and get the right angle on your clay to throw properly.
Expert Tip: Everyone has different body issues, and what works for one person may not work for the rest. Do what feels right, but check to see that it won’t lead to pain over the long term.
Affiliate Disclaimer: We are ambassadors or affiliates for many of the brands we reference on the website. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Pros and Cons of Standing at the Pottery Wheel
Standing has multiple advantages for potters, but many potters still prefer the sitting position because it feels more comfortable. If you want to do the sitting position, it’s fine, but try to set up good habits early on.
Pros
- The standing position is easier on your back
- Easier on the body in general
- Good choice for taller potters
- Lower risk of repetitive stress injuries at the pottery wheel
Cons
- If your position is not right, it may still be hard on your shoulders
- It can cost more money to buy the right accessories for standing
- It may take longer to learn standing at the pottery wheel.
While standing position may take time to learn, don’t give up. You see some people who say they can’t learn it, but if they learned how to throw sitting down, they could learn to throw standing up.
Adjust the Pottery Wheel Height According to Your Body
Whether you decide to sit or stand, it’s important to select the right wheel height. Because of different heights and postures, each person will have a different preferred wheel height.
You can adjust it according to your needs with leg extenders. The Brent CXC has pottery wheel Leg Extensions as an accessory, so you may want to check on this beforehand.
The Speedball Artista Table Top Portable Wheel also has Folding Legs and a Static Leg Set if you would like to use it in the sitting position
It is Best to use Leg extenders that are made for the pottery wheels because it is important for your pottery wheel to be even and stable. Without a steady surface, it can cause the wheel to vibrate. This is not good for the pottery wheel and can make working with clay impossible as it will be highly prone to errors.
When you pay anywhere from $500 to $2,000 for a Pottery Wheel, you don’t want to cheap out on leg extensions that can wreck your pottery wheel.
Avoid Throwing on the Wheel for a Prolonged Time.
If it hurts when throwing in one Position too long like leaning over to one side, it’s important to adjust your position. Be aware of hushing over and leaning to one side too much, because this can lead to injury over time. Some potters use a mirror to see the side of the piece they are throwing.
Wedging out only 1 or 2 balls of clay at a time is a good practice to get into because it gets you up and away from the wheel for a bit, so you can stretch and use different muscles by wedge out more clay. You have to wedge and throw anyway, so why not spread the tasks out for your own benefit. Stretching every time you go to the wheel and get off the wheel is also a good habit to get into.
Posture Matters when Throwing on the Pottery Wheel
And some potters may just want the option to stand once in a while, for those with the extra cash they may buy a second Pottery Wheel.
You may want to suggest asking to local pottery class place if they have a sit-down wheel and a standup wheel so that you can test both.
You may have learned to throw in the sitting position. Still, you have cases where you would find it an advantage to learn how to do it standing up, especially if you have back problems. Someone with a bad back may want to learn throwing from the standing position right away because it does away with getting used to it later. Some people have a hard time getting used to it.
I know we can all get wrapped up in the art of forming our clay, but it is especially important to be aware of your posture.
Another important thing to remember when working on a wheel is to breathe. Holding your breath while throwing on the wheel also puts unwanted stress on your body.
Conclusion
Whatever position you choose to throw on the pottery wheel, neither one is right or wrong. Everyone will have different body types and what feels most comfortable at the wheel. Standing is good for those with bad backs. On the other hand, sitting works well for those with bad ankles and feet. I have found that throwing in the proper position, breathing, and taking breaks works well for both sitting and standing. Throwing the proper way is important to help you develop good habits.