Finding an ergonomically-designed chair can be tricky, especially if you are looking for something simple and cost-effective. There are many different styles of ergonomic chairs that claim to help improve your health by helping reduce stress or pain caused by sitting for too long.
Some ergonomic chairs are a little pricey, which is a factor that holds some people back from getting one. It is important to make sure that whatever type of ergonomic furniture you get will actually work!
There are several features of ergonomic chairs that could determine whether they are worth the extra money. Here we will discuss what makes an ergonomic chair “ergonomic” and also talk about some other features that are not necessarily essential but may aid in improving your overall workplace comfort.
We will also look at some tips for how to pick out an affordable ergonomic chair.
Make sure the chair has good back support
As we mentioned before, one of the most important features in finding an ergonomically-qualified computer seat is adequate lumbar (or lower back) support. Yours should be strong and soft at the same time!
Aerobics instructor Susan Higginbotham once said that your pelvis wants to rotate forward when you are sitting down so it can access underlying muscles. When this happens, there’s not enough room for the spine, which requires more space for proper alignment. This could cause stress or even injury to the vertebrae or joints in the back.
In addition to making your lower back hurt, poor seating angles could make you feel uncomfortable or tired due to a lack of hip and knee flexion. These would also contribute to injuries because your body needs movement to perform certain tasks.
ErgoMat Premium comes with a comfortable cushion designed just for this reason. It is fully adjustable and reclines up to 20 degrees — perfect for any position you choose to sit in a while using your computer.
Look for a chair with adjustable arms
The first thing you will notice about ergonomically designed computer chairs is their adjustable armrests. This allows you to choose how close or far they are from you, and also how high they can be.
A common mistake that people make when buying new furniture is choosing very tall, sleek legs instead of wider, thicker ones. These thinner legs do not offer as much support under your knees, and if you have knee issues, this could cause more harm than good.
Be careful not to buy too many thin legs- these may hurt your feet as you sit down! A comfortable height leg shape is better than having very thick, heavy legs that feel flimsy.
Another feature to look out for is lumbar support. This helps keep your back strong by stabilizing the spine. Your pelvis should be able to rotate easily without being stuck due to the presence of the lumbar support.
Ergonomic desks come in all shapes and sizes, so it’s important to check out different models before making a purchase.
Look For a Chair with Adjustable Seat Height
When you sit in a low-height seated position, your knees are pushed up higher than they should be. This can cause knee pain or even cartilage damage as your knees work to cushion your pelvis when you lay down.
If you need to set your computer or phone down quickly, it could also hurt your back due to how your body is positioned.
An ergonomically correct chair has lumbar (lower back) support that allows your lower spine to relax and shape itself naturally. This helps prevent muscle fatigue and painful pressure on nerves.
You get this benefit if you use your computer at home, at the office, or while travelling.
Look for a chair with a tilt mechanism
There are two main components of an ergonomic chair, your seat and your back. The seat can be made of many different materials, but there is one material that seems to keep coming up in reviews as being the best bet – plastic!
Mostly ABS or polyethylene plastic, you want to make sure it’s soft and comfortable. A good test is to sit down in the chair and feel how soft the surface is. You don’t want to hurt yourself by sitting on something too hard and thick!
The most important feature of the seat is its lumbar support. This should be able to conform to your body and help shape your lower spine into the correct position. An additional benefit of having adequate lumbar support is that it helps prevent muscle fatigue due to overworking muscles.
Your pelvis needs proper vertical cushioning so it doesn’t get pressed up when you sit down. this also helps promote healthy hip joints and knees. Cushion layers that work well are foam or gel-filled pieces that shift and expand with weight. Make sure they are not just thin sheets of padding either, have at least three inches of thickness underneath all the parts of the seat.
Another very helpful feature is armrests. These should be tall and sturdy, but still heavy enough to provide some relief from the pressure of the arms cradling them.
Look for a chair with a headrest
Having a good lumbar (low back) support is very important as this area of your body supports your pelvis, knees, and feet. A comfortable lumbar cushion can help prevent muscle fatigue and stress that could lead to pain or injury.
Ahead-of-table chairs without a back are best for people who only need extra space to access things like phones, computers, etc. But they may not provide enough lumbar support.
You should be able to comfortably sit in the seat for at least a few minutes without feeling overly stressed on your back.
Look for a chair with a deep seat
A deeper, more comfortable seating area is an important feature in finding an ergonomically-friendly office chair. A cushion that tucks away under you as you sit down helps reduce pressure on your back due to gravity.
A properly designed chair has lumbar support, which works like a spring or foam mattress placed against your lower spine. The idea is to add this springy effect so your body can relax and recover after being sat in the chair for some time.
You want to look for at least 2 inches of soft material between you and the edge of the desk or table surface where you place your computer equipment. This way, your upper torso is supported slightly.
Ergo chairs also are typically wider than their counterparts – they have longer arms which help prevent arm pain when typing or using the computer mouse. Widely spaced legs allow for additional legroom, which is nice if you need to put your feet up while working.
Look For a Chair With a Leather or Soft Fabric Seat
An ergonomically-friendly cushion is an essential part of any comfortable seating arrangement. You want to be able to recline and relax in your chair, so a cushioned surface that conforms to your body’s shape is important.
Most people are familiar with foam as a material, but there are several others, including latex, microfiber, and memory foam. All these materials work well as seats because they mold to you and help promote relaxed muscles.
A quality cushion will also have a layer of padding that adds some thickness to the product. This helps reduce pressure on certain parts of your body, such as your tailbone when sitting for long periods.
Another key feature is back support. Your pelvis naturally drops when you sit down, this position changes depending on what position you choose to sit in. A neutral lumbar (or lower spine) curve is ideal since it does not force it into one position as a rounded one does.
Something to watch out for is excessive curvature at the top of the back. This can cause neck pain due to tension being applied to it, and potentially even injury if you're sitting too close.
Look for a chair with a footrest
Having a place to put your feet is one of the most important features in finding an ergonomic chair. You want to be able to rest your feet on something, and you want it to be comfortable so that you can easily access it.
Most chairs don’t offer much more than just a regular cushion at each ankle, which doesn’t provide enough support. If you need extra help getting into your shoes or stocking shelves, you will have to find another seat!
ErgoBars are designed specifically to aid in supporting the legs and ankles. They create a stable base that allows users to relax and focus on other things instead of having to keep their feet up.
There are several brands that make excellent quality ergonomic bar stools, including Steelcase, Herman Miller, and Vitrosteel.
