First of all, what do we mean by ergonomics and ergonomic furniture? Ergonomics is a science that is concerned with the design of objects used by people.
The focus of this science is to design objects in a way that encourages people to interact with them in the most efficient and safe way possible. Individuals should be able to use the object easily, rather than needing to be taught how to use it.
Ergonomics is particularly common when the object is something used repeatedly and in a similar fashion. The two objects we find ourselves using most regularly are chairs and tables..
Therefore, this article will cover both of these and discuss how their use is benefiting us in the short and long term.
Ergonomic Chair
There are a plethora of ergonomic chairs out in the world but perhaps the most significant to a lot of us office-based workers are ergonomic chairs, such as those available from Flexispot. Finding the right one is perhaps the biggest change in your daily life that you can make.
Studies have shown that almost 50% of individuals suffer from some form of back pain, most of which are likely related to poor seat posture/design. Think about how many hours we spend in a seated position - and how many of those are in your office chair?
It is no wonder that some of us develop pain and aches associated with sitting in an uncomfortable position. Investing in an object we use every day for a prolonged period of time seems like a no brainer.
Flexispot offers a great variety of options for you to think about, so here are some factors for you to consider whilst browsing their catalogue.
The height of the chair should be so that your feet can be laid flat on the floor, and your thighs can be placed parallel to the floor. If you’re a little taller, you can use a footrest to temporarily position yourself in a more ergonomic position – think about getting a taller chair in the long run.
Lumbar support is vital in an ergonomic chair. The backrest should be shaped to naturally sit inside the support of your lower back.
We often forget about armrests and for a lot of us, they’re pretty annoying. Armrests should be height adjustable in order for them to not get in the way when you’re doing certain tasks - but also to be there when you do need them. Ideally, they should pivot inwards, as that is the shape our arms take when we’re typing.
Lastly, the depth of your seat should be anywhere between 14 inches to 18 inches.
Ergonomic Table
An ergonomic table to go with your ergonomic chair is a match made in heaven. These designs complement each other significantly and will together beautifully to reduce the strain being put on your body.
Desks that are too high put undue stress on our forearms whilst we type, whereas desks that are too low can cause poor posture, backache and strain on your upper body. So, how do you get your table to be the right height for you?
Your legs shouldn’t be squeezed under the table. There should be enough room for you to sit comfortably with your feet flat on the floor. A good test to see if your desk is the right size is to check if you can cross your legs comfortably. If you can’t, then your desk is too small.
Your upper arm and your forearm should be at an angle of about 100 degrees whilst your arms are resting at your desk.
Lastly, prolonged exposure to the same position is always going to be bad – no matter if it is ergonomic or not.
Ergonomic chairs and desks are designed to give you freedom to rotate between positions so that you can reset your posture - and change it up every so often. It gives you the chance to rotate between a standing and working position, which can be incredibly helpful for your physical health and your productivity.
Ergonomic desks allow for your work desk to be customised to meet your precise height requirements. There is no making do with footrests or other contraptions – your desk suits you perfectly.
Moreover, adjustable desks encourage you to not always sit and work. The chairs we’ve discussed will do wonders for you whilst you are sitting and working, but the truth is staying in one position throughout the day will have negative effects on your health.
The ideal situation is to have an ergonomic chair for when you’re sitting down, and then shift between sitting and standing positions at regular intervals throughout the day on your ergonomic desk. It’s a win-win in both sitting AND standing positions.
Final Thoughts
Ergonomic furniture can improve the quality of your life significantly. Whether it be an ergonomic chair to improve your sitting experience, or an ergonomic table where you can alternate between sitting and standing positions - it does seem like a worthwhile investment for anyone serious about their physical health.
