The design and quality of your office chair affects your comfort, health, and productivity. With the amount of time that we spend sitting at our desks, the process of choosing a chair should not be taken lightly. With so many options to choose from, the choice can become overwhelming. Never fear, we are here to help!
Top things to consider
1. Ergonomics is about fit, optimal working comfort, and adjustability.
2. Chairs are available in different shapes and sizes to fit your unique needs.
3. Understanding the adjustments on your chair and how to use them will make a world of difference.
Choosing your seat size, back support, arms and additional features.
Seat Size: Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large, Extra Long, Plus, Extra Wide
Select a seat size that fits your body comfortably. When in a seated position you should have approximately 2-3 finger width of space between the bottom bend in your knee and the edge of the seat pan. Any more space and your legs are not fully supported, any less and you could be cutting into pressure points in your legs.
Back Support: Small, Medium, High, Lumbar Support, Curved Back Shapes
Backs come in a variety of shapes and sizes, extra support can be found in areas where you need it most. Finding a backrest that fits into the shape of your back is one of the most important steps in choosing a chair. Keep in mind the height of the back can adjust to move the lumbar curve into the small of your back, and making this small adjustment can often change the way the chair feels completely.
If you require upper body mobility, you should choose a backrest that provides adequate back support but does not interfere with movement – such as a low-back or medium-back chair that is not higher than the bottom of the shoulder blades.
If you prefer reclining postures or more upper back support, you should choose a backrest that has a higher support above the shoulder blade area such as a highback with headrest/neck support pad.
Arms: Height Adjustable, Swivel Arms, Lateral Arms, No Arms, Arm Cap Options
Deciding on the type of arms that you need is a decision best made while sitting in the chair. Do you usually rest your arms on the armrests while you are working? Or do you prefer to move in close to the desk and need arms that won’t get in the way? Arms can move closer to your body if you are petite or else be removed completely if you prefer not to use them.
Additional Features: Air Lumbar, Headrests, Neck Supports, Foam and Fabric
After you have considered seat size, back shape and arm needs it’s time to start thinking about other features that may be important to you. Some chairs have options for ‘air lumbar’ or ‘schukra’ lumbar add ons if you need even more lower back support, others have options to add headrests or neck supports. You can choose your fabric type and colour & more.
Don’t forget, after you have put in the time to find the right chair you need to make sure it is built to last. Product quality should not be overlooked when making this decision. Be sure to understand the manufacturer warranties and purchase from a dealer who provides full warranty support for peace of mind that your new chair will last for years to come.