Choosing an Office Chair

Just like choosing an automobile that has adjustable seats so you can see over the steering wheel and drive safely, it important to "test drive" a new office chair before purchase so you can find one that adjusts properly for your body weight and dimensions. After all, you’re going to spend a lot of time sitting in that chair!

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Does your workday consist of sitting for many hours in a chair — keyboarding, talking on the phone, surfing the Web, and meeting with clients and co-workers? And do your back, neck, shoulders and rear end pay the price?

Just like choosing an automobile that has adjustable seats so you can see over the steering wheel and drive safely, it important to "test drive" a new office chair before purchase so you can find one that adjusts properly for your body weight and dimensions. After all, you’re going to spend a lot of time sitting in that chair!

Research by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Division of Safety, the University of California at Berkeley's Health Service Department, and the Cornell University Human Factors and Ergonomics Research Group has indicated there are certain factors that contribute to maximum comfort and safety in office chairs.

Height: Since it’s important to sit comfortably with both feet flat on the floor, a chair with gas-lift height controls allows you to adjust for varying shin heights.

Seat: A chair seat has to be comfortable for a long period of time. Make sure the seat has enough resilient foam padding to reduce stress on hips and thighs. It should be wide enough to provide at least an inch of space on either side of your body. "Waterfall"-type seat contours can alleviate pressure on the back of the thighs. If your chair has seat depth controls, you can adjust the front edge of the chair so it’s 2-3 inches from the back of your knees. If the back of your legs touch the edge of the seat, you’ll be unable to lean against the chair’s back support.

Backrest: Look for a chair with an adjustable back support that raises or lowers to a height that supports the curve of your back, especially the lumbar curve of the low back. Adequate lumbar support is a must to avoid stress on your spine. A chair’s backrest should also be slightly curved to follow the natural contours of your spine. You should be able to adjust the tilt of the seat up and down independent of the back support. Reclining rests the back muscles, while a forward tilt encourages good back posture and takes the stress off the muscles and discs of the spine. Controlling the tilt tension also allows you to adjust for varying body weights and lets the chair rock or tilt with the correct amount of resistance.

Armrests: Well-cushioned arms that adjust in height and width can help you maintain straight wrist posture for computer work, avoiding carpal tunnel syndrome and reducing sore muscles in the neck, shoulders and back. Armrests that are too high will not allow you to relax your shoulders, while armrests that are too long can prevent you from getting close enough to your desk and may cause back discomfort. Armrests spaced too wide apart will make your elbows stick out from your body in an uncomfortable way.

Health and Safety: Always look for durable construction that has been tested and certified. The best chairs have caster wheels that let the chair move easily on the floor, and a five-point base that provides stability and minimizes the chance of tipping the chair over. Adjustment controls should be easy to operate from a seated position and not require forceful hand movements. Office chairs come in vinyl, leather, and cloth. Cloth upholstery isn't as easy to clean as vinyl, and cloth-covered foam may harbor dust mites. However, vinyl or leather coverings don't breathe as easily as cloth, which may cause discomfort after prolonged sitting.

And finally, remember to get off your butt once an hour for a good stretch. Your body will thank you!

Features Of A Good Ergonomic Chair

Using ergonomic chairs in the workplace is more important now than it was before. The human body is not designed to sit for hours at an end in front of a desk, and yet more and more people find themselves chained to a desk, working in front of a computer most of the time. Sitting for long, continuous hours puts a lot of strain on the muscles and eventually causes the body to sustain occupational injuries.

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Using ergonomic chairs in the workplace is more important now than it was before. The human body is not designed to sit for hours at an end in front of a desk, and yet more and more people find themselves chained to a desk, working in front of a computer most of the time. Sitting for long, continuous hours puts a lot of strain on the muscles and eventually causes the body to sustain occupational injuries. Using an ergonomic chair at least minimizes the strain that the body experiences while sitting for extended periods in front of a desk.

Not all ergonomic chairs, however, are true ergonomic chairs. Some manufacturers call their products ergonomic chairs in order to capture a market that is so in need of relief from pain caused by strain on the lower back, on the neck, on the arms, on the legs and on the shoulders. A real ergonomic chair is designed to minimize this pain.

How can you tell if an ergonomic chair is really an ergonomic chair? A true ergonomic chair has the following features:

1. Seat height. An ergonomic chair should be fitted with a mechanism that will allow you to adjust its height while you are sitting on it. If your knees are level and your feet are planted firmly on the floor without the use of a foot rest while you are sitting on the ergonomic chair, it means that its height is right for you. Also, you should be able to reach the adjusting mechanism of the seat and operate it even if you are sitting on it.

2. Foot rest. Most ergonomic chairs do not require a foot rest. If the height of the chair can be adjusted easily and allow you to plant your feet firmly on the ground while you are seated, then a foot rest is not necessary. However, if your table is too high in relation to your chair and if having your feet flat on the floor means you have to strain your arms, then a foot rest is needed so you could rest your feet comfortably and without added strain to your legs.

3. Seat pan. The seat pan of your ergonomic chair should be wide enough to fit your hips and thighs without pinching you in any way. It should also be contoured so your weight could be distributed evenly on it. In addition, the seat pan should be long enough to fit your legs. If it is too long, it will hit the back of your knees and prevent you from leaning back comfortably. A good ergonomic chair has a waterfall front. It would also help if it has a seat slider that would ensure that the seat pan is just right for you.

4. Seat cushioning. The cushioning of an ergonomic chair should be sufficient for it not to be deformed after you have been using it for a while. If the cushioning is not enough, the seat of the chair can get deformed permanently and it would become uncomfortable for you to sit on after a while. Later on, it will just lead you to experience pain on your back and thighs. In addition, you should choose seat covers that breathe freely and are easy to clean. Such seat covers will not feel hot and uncomfortable against your thighs after sitting on the chair for so long. Easy to clean seat covers also mean that it will not be breeding ground for dust mites.

5. Back support. The back rest of a good ergonomic chair should be adjustable to fit the curve of your lower back so that it could provide you with lumbar support. This is very important, especially if you will not be the exclusive user of the chair. Moreover, the back rest should be wide and tall enough to support your mid-back and your upper back as well. Another important characteristic of an ergonomic chair is that it allows you to lean back comfortably without leaving the curve of your back.

6. Armrests. The armrests of a good ergonomic chair should be contoured to fit the arms, broad enough to provide ample support, and can be adjusted upward and downward as well as inward or outward. Another thing is that the armrests of the ergonomic chair should let the arms and elbows rest naturally, without making you lean forward or lifting your shoulders.

7. Pedestal base. If mobility in your chair is essential to your work, then you should get an ergonomic chair that has a five pedestal base with casters that can let you glide easily over the floor. A five pedestal base will also provide enough balance so that the chair will not tip over when you lean back.

Always look for these features when looking for an ergonomic chair for your home or your office. They will prevent your body from incurring injuries brought about by continuous strain to the muscles.