You spend a significant amount of time seated in front of your screen. This position puts additional strain on the spine's structure. To prevent developing or exacerbating back issues, it is important to have an ergonomic office chair that supports the lower back and encourages healthy posture.
For your workplace at home, there are a variety of ergonomic chairs to choose from. While no single model of office chair is inherently the best, there are a few key features to look for in a good ergonomic office chair. These features will allow you to customize the chair to meet your unique requirements.
This article will serve as a guide you can use when looking for the right ergonomic office chair. There are several things an ergonomic chair that you should have checked out, including:
Seat height.
The seat height of an office chair should be conveniently adjustable. The simplest method is to use a pneumatic adjustment lever. You should be able to sit comfortably at a seat height of 16 to 21 inches off the ground. This measurement is best for those whose height is 5 feet to 6 feet and 4 inches tall. This enables you to sit with your feet flat on the floor, legs horizontal, and arms at desk height.
Few ergonomic chairs give such a broad seat height range, so check the seated height range of any chair you're considering. The seat should have a pneumatic height adjustment so that you can change the seat pan height when seated. Adjusting the office chair to the proper seated height reduces knee and lumbar tension.
Seat width and depth.
The seat should be wide and deep enough to provide support and comfort. The standard is usually 17-20 inches tall. The depth should be sufficient to allow you to sit with your back against the ergonomic office chair's backrest while leaving approximately 2 to 4 inches between the back of your knees and the chair's seat.
Weight capacity is not a reasonable gauge for larger users when selecting a chair since it is a safety measurement. Both the seat size and the weight capacity must be suitable for the user. Your seat should be comfortable for you.
Lumbar support.
The importance of lower back support in an ergonomic chair cannot be overstated. Both vertical and depth adjustments are available on the best lumbar support. This is particularly important if the person has lower back problems or if the chair will be used by many people. The most basic lumbar supports adjust vertically as the chair back is raised and lowered. If it suits you well and adjusts vertically, a fixed depth lumbar is suitable.
The lumbar spine has an inward curve, and sitting for long periods without support for this curve causes slouching and strains the lower spine's structures. An ergonomic chair should have a lumbar adjustment (both height and depth) so that each person can find the best match for their lower back's inward curve.
Backrest.
An ergonomic office chair's backrest should be 12 to 19 inches high. If the backrest is not attached to the seat, it should be height and angle adjustable. It should be able to support the natural curve of the spine, with particular attention paid to proper lumbar support. If the seat and backrest of the office chair are one piece, the backrest should be adjustable in forward and back angles, with a locking mechanism to prevent the backrest from moving too far backward until the user has calculated the proper angle. The backrest should be able to move up and down to allow the chair's lumbar curve to fit into your lower back curve.
Seat material.
The padding on the seat and back of the office chair should be sufficient to allow you to sit comfortably for long periods. Breathable cloth fabric is superior to a harder surface.
Armrests.
Armrests on office chairs should be flexible. They should encourage the consumer to rest their arms comfortably and relax their shoulders. When typing, the elbows and lower arms should be lightly rested, and the forearm should not be resting on the armrest. At the very least, the armrests should be height adjustable. They should be below thigh height at their lowest point so that they do not obstruct the elbow movement when not in use.
Swivel.
When choosing an ergonomic office chair, this is also a good factor to consider. An ergonomic chair should be able to rotate comfortably so that the user can access various parts of his or her desk without straining.
Seat Pan Depth Adjustment.
When two to four fingers will fit between the back of your knee and the front of the table, the seat pan of a desk chair is properly positioned. When the seat depth is set correctly, you can sit back and use the lumbar curve of the chair back to position the curve of the seat to match their curves while sitting back.
Chair Mechanism Selection.
This is the system that regulates the movement of the seat and back. It has controls under the seat that the user can push, pull, or twist to change the office chair. For the same chair, some models can offer more than one mechanism choice.
Multifunction Mechanism.
This mechanism is chosen because it allows for a wide variety of adjustments. The back and seat angles can be adjusted independently of one another, as well as the tilt. You can lock the chair in an infinite number of positions this way. This mechanism will rock/tilt backwards from the seat's base.
Synchro-Tilt Mechanism.
When you lean back, the seat and back are connected and tilt at the same time. This system is not as ergonomic as the multifunction mechanism because it has less adjustability. When reclining, a chair with a synchro-tilt mechanism should have a waterfall front or flexible front seat lip, otherwise, it would push into the back of the thighs.
Headrest.
A headrest provides support for your head which can help your neck support less weight. If you have neck problems, a chair with a headrest is a must-have when looking for an ergonomic chair that will best fit your home office setup.
Conclusion
Finding an ergonomic office chair is made easier by this comprehensive guide. This will help you make a better choice for the chair that best fits your needs. Check out FlexiSpot’s website for a wide range of ergonomic office chair options.
