What to Look for in an Ergonomic Office Chair

Choosing a chair that offers comfort and stability

One of the most important parts of an office environment is the office chair. When you have a job that involves working at a desk for long periods of time, having an uncomfortable place to sit can be almost unbearable. An ergonomic office chair is the answer to alleviating discomfort from sitting on a regular basis. Ergonomics involves looking at the way people’s bodies interact with objects and tailoring the object's design to accommodate the mode of use and improve both comfort and efficiency. With a comfortable ergonomic office chair, not only can you make your workday more pleasant, but you may also avoid serious health problems like back or joint pain. This article will help you know what to look for when buying an ergonomic chair for your office.

Different types of office chairs

Ergonomic office chairs come in many varieties, and each type has various uses, benefits and price points.

Task chairs have perhaps the most straightforward design. They often consist of a simple padded seat and backrest. However, they sometimes only feature the seat. While these models do come in adjustable variations, the primary feature of task chairs is simplicity. Now, this may not seem very appealing at first glance, but task chairs are suitable for short-term tasks or work that requires more mobility. For example, a task chair is ideal for a person who frequently moves between a desk and a filing cabinet.
Executive chairs are extremely comfortable furniture items suitable for long periods of sitting. While offering less mobility, these luxurious seats have designs that can impress while letting the user maintain work productivity.
Gaming chairs come with an array of unique features specifically tailored to gaming and other activities at your home computer. They have an ergonomic design more geared toward relaxation, with pillows for back support, compatibility for multiple accessories and sometimes built-in wireless speakers to enhance your experience, whether playing games or watching movies.

Qualities of ergonomic chairs

Now that you know more about the different styles of office chairs, it's time to talk about what makes a good ergonomic chair.

Adjustability

Ergonomic chairs should be adjustable, so they can better fit your body. While the options may vary between models, you should be able to adjust the height, backrest, armrests and headrest.

Adjust the height so that your feet are flat on the ground and your legs bend at a 90-degree angle at the knees. The backrest on an ergonomic office chair should allow you to sit upright, lean forward or recline. Backrest adjustment is especially important to ensure comfort and minimize the risk of a strained back. While armrest adjustment may not be as important to you, the armrest should be at the correct height and have the appropriate width to comfortably support your arms. Your arms should also be at a height that allows a 90-degree bend where your hands rest comfortably at the computer keyboard. Not all office chairs come with a headrest, but if yours does, you should be able to adjust it to any position between your neck and head. Other adjustability options on an ergonomic office chair may include seat angle, height, width and lumbar support.

You may also want the option of adding chair accessories, such as cushions or footrests, to your office chair, adapting it better for its intended use.

Mobility

Depending on how you organize your workspace, you may need a multifunctional chair that you can move around to different spots. Most chair models have multiple casters and swiveling wheels for this exact purpose. Some casters also come with a reverse lock feature, allowing the chair to stay securely in place when preferred. You should also take the style of your office flooring into account and determine whether your chair model is suitable for carpeting, wood or tile. If the ability to move around your office space while seated is important to you and you have plush flooring, consider getting a floor mat to go underneath your chair.

Stability

Since a chair in a work environment is something you’ll use each day, it needs to be durable enough to last a long time and keep your body in the correct position. Fortunately, many ergonomic chair models are up to the challenge. Not only does keeping your joints in a neutral, relaxed position reduce stress on your body, but it also reduces stress on the chair itself. For optimal stability and durability, choose an ergonomic office chair with an aluminum or steel, 5-star base.

The right ergonomic office chair can make a big difference in how your workday goes. With an ergonomic office chair, not only are you sitting in the proper position at your desk, but you are also helping to prevent potential back, neck and hip issues in both the near future and later on in life. Use the information provided here to find the office chair that best meets your needs.