In this article, you will learn the things that you should check while buying an Ergonomic Office Chair. Checklist is provided in the article.
Does your work involve sitting in an office chair for prolonged periods? Do you know in a seated position, the discs, soft tissues and joints located in the lower spine are stressed 3 times more than the standing?
Each day when you sit in a poorly designed office chair, it takes a toll on your back & body. Over time this accumulates, and can either cause or aggravate lower back pain. So, it’s important that you sit in a position that doesn’t add stress to the structures in your spine.
To avoid developing or compounding problems in your spine or back, you essentially need a proper work chair – popularly called as “Right Ergonomic Office Chair”.
A right ergonomic office chair provides proper support for the natural alignment to your spine & body – supporting the lower back, preventing lower back pain and promoting good posture.
How To Choose The Right Ergonomic Office Chair?
When you are hunting for a proper office chair, you will see that there are available many types of ergonomic chairs in the market & online. So, you get confused. Don’t worry read this article to help you buy an office chair that will be ideal for you.
There is no such thing like the best office chair that can suit one and all. But there are some points that are very important to keep in mind when you are searching for a good ergonomic office chair.
Ergonomic Office Chair Checklist!
I have compiled a checklist to help you choose the right ergonomic office chair that will work well for you and meet your specific needs. Read on!
# 1
Seat Height
Make sure that the chair has provision for easily adjusting the height. The easiest way do this is a pneumatic adjustment lever. This will allow you to adjust the height so that your feet remain flat on the floor, with thighs horizontal and arms even with the height of the desk.
Note:
(i) When seated, your knees should be at or may be slightly below the level of your hips (knees not higher than hips).
(ii) Your feet should rest flat on the floor or supported by a stable footrest.
# 2
Seat Width And Depth
The seat should have sufficient depth & width to accommodate you comfortably. Typically, 17-20 inches wide is considered good, but it depends on your body frame. The depth (from front to back of the seat) has to be sufficient so that you can sit with your back against the backrest of the ergonomic chair while leaving approximately 2 to 4 inches between the seat of the chair and the back of the knees.
Preferably go for a chair with a seat having forward or backward tilt adjustability.
# 3
Lumbar (Lower Spine) Support
The most important thing is to look for the lower back support in an ergonomic chair. Your lumbar spine (lower back) has a natural inward curve. Sitting for long periods without a proper support for this curve can lead to slouching. Over time this can strain the structures in your lower spine and also flatten the natural inward curve. An ergonomic office chair should have an adjustable lumbar (low back) support (both height and depth) so that you can have the proper fit to support the lower back inward curve.
[Read How To Strengthen Your Lower Back]
# 4
Backrest
The backrest of an ergonomic chair should be wide enough.
You may use a backrest that is separate from the seat. It should be adjustable in angle & height so that you can adjust it to support the natural curve of your spine, especially the lower back (lumbar region).
If the chair has the seat and backrest combined as one piece, the backrest should be adjustable in forward and back angles, along with a locking mechanism to secure it from going too far backward once you have calibrated the appropriate angle.
# 5
Armrests
Look for adjustable armrests. The arms rests should allow you to rest your arms comfortably, while keeping shoulders relaxed. Your elbows and upper arms should rest lightly on the armrests, and the forearms should not be on the armrests while typing.
# 6
Swivel
If you desire or need, go for an ergonomic chair that can easily rotate so that you are able to reach different areas of the desk without straining your body.
# 7
Seat Material
The material on the office-work chair seat and back should have comfortable padding so that you can sit on it for extended periods of time. Preferably go for a cloth fabric that breathes than a harder surface.
About Author: Renu Bakshi, AKA Fitness Buffhq, is ISSA Certified Personal Fitness Trainer & Nutrition Health Coach. He shares his experience and knowledge about nutrition and effective workouts to get you in the best shape of your life, no matter how old you may be. The author says: “I am now healthier and fitter at 68 than I was at 28. For me age is just a number!”