Ergonomic Office Chairs

Office chairs come in a wide variety of styles and colors.  These chairs, made by countless manufacturers, have tons of different features and adjustments that are designed to make the chair as comfortable as possible.  The technology and terminology used to describe these furniture pieces can get confusing and the common person often does not really know what they want and need.  Buying the wrong chair can lead to discomfort and result in needing a new chair to solve the problem. 

Ergonomic Chairs

The word ergonomic is used often to describe office chairs and it has created the idea that all ergonomic chairs are created equally.  Understanding ergonomics and officer chairs is the first way to ensuring you choose the right chair for yourself.  What you really need to look at when purchasing a chair is what type of ergonomic features and adjustments the chair offers.  No manufacture intentionally designed a chair to be uncomfortable but how a chair moves and adjusts greatly impacts overall comfort.  Almost every office chair offers seat height adjustment and a basic swivel tilt mechanism.  These are considered ergonomic features, but they are entry level ones.  A chair with only these features should be well priced and comfortable for short term use.  You commonly see these basic chairs in temporary seating areas and conference rooms.  So, what do you do if you want a chair that is more comfortable to sit in all day long?   The answer is simple.  Get a chair with more ergonomic features and benefits. There are tons of features out there and below is a short list of what features are available and what they do.

Tension Adjustment-This adjustment allows you to change how much pressure is needed to lean back on the chair.  This is to ensure you do not lean back to easily or with too much effort exerted.  Also, look to see if a chair has a tilt lock that can lock the chair in a set position.

Seat Height and Seat Depth Adjustment-These features allow you to adjust the position of the back and the seat of the chair to better accommodate the position of lumbar support and to adjust to the length of your thighs.

Back and Forward Seat Angle Adjustments-These features allow you to change the angle of the back or seat respectively.  They are designed to help relive back muscle and disc pressure.

Adjustable Arms- This is referring to how a chairs arms can be adjustment.  Many chairs offer height adjustable arms; however, high end chairs also offer width adjustable arms or even the ability for arms to pivot.

Waterfall Seat Edge-A design feature at the front of a chairs seat that helps reduce pressure on the back of the knees to promote good blood flow.

Synchro-Tilt Movement-This is a higher end seating mechanism on chairs that allows the seat to pivot at the center point, while the backrest reclines at a faster rate than the seat, increasing the angle of the torso and thighs.  It enhances comfort and encourages a dynamic body movement.

Pneumatic Lift-A simple seating mechanism that allows you to lower a seat slowly while on it to prevent sudden movements.   

Lumbar Depth Adjustment-Changes the curvature of the seat back to match the profile of your lower back.

There are, of course, more adjustments and seating mechanisms out there but this list should help you understand what you should look for.  A higher end chair should have a number of these features and a higher price tag to go with it. 

Upholstery

The other main feature that can drastically affect the comfort and price of a chair is the material it is upholstered with.  A basic vinyl gets that job done but does not breath well and can become uncomfortable if you are sitting in the chair all day long.  Natural leathers breath better but also raise the price of a chair significantly.  Mesh back chairs breath well but do not have the cushioning of fully upholstered chairs.  That being said, a mesh chair with a good lumbar support mechanism can be adjusted to become the most comfortable chair available.  Finally, there is a major difference between the different types of fabric textiles out there.  These differences can affect durability, breathability, price, and ultimately comfort.  So, do not settle for a cheap upholstery on a good chair.  It could end up saving money at the expense of comfort.

Tools are designed to do a certain job and perform a certain task.  This rule holds true for office chairs.  They are a tool to help provide us stability and comfort when we sit and work.  If you are thinking about upgrading do some research and do not just buy a cheap one online.  If you ask the right questions and put some effort into it, you are likely to find the perfect chair and it might not even be the most expensive.  If you have any questions about office chairs, their features, and what you need to look at when purchasing feel free to contact us at sales@furniturewholesalers.com.  We are always here to help.