October is Ergonomics Month. As part of our Build a Better Workspace series, we’re looking at one of the most important parts of your workstation: your office chair.
An office chair may be labelled “ergonomic,” but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s ergonomic for you.
A good ergonomic office chair should fit your body, support your working posture and provide the adjustments you need to stay comfortable throughout the day.
Sitting in your chair right now? Here are 7 things to check.
1. Can You Adjust the Seat to the Right Height?
Adjust your chair so your feet are supported on the floor and your knees are comfortably positioned at approximately a 90-degree angle. If you need to raise your chair to work comfortably at your desk and your feet no longer reach the floor, consider using a footrest rather than lowering your chair and compromising your upper-body position.
2. Does the Seat Depth Fit Your Legs?
Sit all the way back in your chair. There should be approximately 2–3 fingers of space between the front edge of the seat and the back of your knees. If the seat presses into the back of your legs, it may be too deep. If too much of your thighs extend beyond the seat, it may be too shallow. A chair with an adjustable seat depth can help accommodate different heights and body proportions.
3. Does the Backrest Support Your Lower Back?
Your chair's backrest should support the natural curve of your back. Sit back comfortably rather than perching on the front of the seat. If your chair has adjustable lumbar support, position it so it comfortably supports your lower back. You shouldn't have to lean forward or consciously hold yourself upright all day.
4. Can You Position the Armrests Properly?
Armrests should support your arms while allowing your shoulders to remain relaxed. If they're too high, you may find yourself shrugging your shoulders. Too low, and they may provide little useful support. Ideally, your armrests should also allow you to get close enough to your desk that you aren't reaching forward to use your keyboard and mouse.
5. Does the Chair Let You Move?
Ergonomics isn't about finding one “perfect” posture and staying there for eight hours. A good office chair should allow you to recline, shift positions and move comfortably throughout the day. Look for a chair that supports movement rather than locking you into one rigid working position.
6. Does the Chair Actually Fit Your Body?
This is one of the most overlooked parts of choosing an ergonomic office chair. Two people can sit in the exact same chair and have completely different experiences. Your height and body proportions matter. That's also why a highly rated ergonomic chair isn't automatically the right chair for everyone.
Does it fit? Check these:
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- Seat width and depth
- Backrest height and shape
- Lumbar support position
- Armrest range
- Seat-height range
7. Can You Actually Adjust It?
A chair can have dozens of ergonomic features, but they aren't very useful if you don't know how to use them. You should be able to understand and comfortably reach the controls for your chair's most important adjustments. Take a few minutes to learn what each lever or control does. You may discover that the chair you've been using for years has adjustments you've never actually used.
So, Is Your Office Chair Ergonomic?
If your chair supports your body, fits your proportions, allows you to position yourself properly at your workstation and makes it easy to change positions throughout the day, you're off to a good start.
If several of these seven checks aren't working for you, it may be worth considering a chair that offers a better fit.
Remember: even the best ergonomic office chair is only one part of your workstation. Your desk height, monitor position, keyboard, mouse and other accessories all need to work together.
Build a Better Workspace This Ergonomics Month
This article is part of our Ergonomics Month: Build a Better Workspace series.
Start with our Ergonomic Workstation Set Up Guide to see how your chair, desk, monitor and accessories should work together.
Need help finding the right chair? Chairlines can help you compare ergonomic office chairs and find a chair suited to your body, workspace and the way you work.