How to Choose a Good Ergonomic Chair

The purpose of this article is to show you the most important things to look for when you buy an ergonomic chair, whether online or offline. There are a lot of scientific terms thrown around to confuse people. There is no need for that. What I tell you here is all you need to know (or very close to it anyway).

So after reading this article you will be well equipped to go out and buy an ergonomic chair to suite your specific needs. One that will say good-bye to neck, back- and bottom aches and pains

But enough talking.

Are you ready? Good. Let’s get going.

First a picture to give you a quick summary of the more important points.

Below the picture we look at the points in more detail.

No matter what brand of chair you choose it must achieve the following goals

1. promote a good sitting posture
2. supports the lower back

In order to choose a chair that achieves the above outcomes the chair must have the following characteristics

Seat Height Adjustability

You should be able to adjust the seat height so that your hips are slightly higher than your knees while your feet remain on the floor. A good chair’s range of height adjustment will be sufficient to meet the needs of a tall, as well as a shorter person. Ensure the adjustment mechanism is pneumatic – in other words, working with gas/air pressure. Fortunately, pneumatic adjustment is the norm in most modern chairs. Also make sure the pneumatic lever that controls the seat height adjustment is easy to reach, even while you sit in the chair.

Lumbar (or lower back) support

There are two types of lumbar support. A fixed lumbar support or one that is adjustable. I recommend a lumbar support that is adjustable – forward and backwards, as well as up or down. We all have different shapes and you should be able to adjust the lumbar support to best fit the contour of your back.

Lower back support is important because the back muscles must work much harder if there is no support. Another reason is that the lumbar curve is flattened when you sit, causing the discs to be slightly pinched at their front edges. Lumbar support reduces this flattening.

Seat Pan Width

The seat pan (the part of the chair you sit on) should be wider than your hips and thighs. Allow for at least an inch on either side. A good idea is to measure the width of your hips and thights before you buy a chair. Then look at the specification of the chair you are interested in. This is especially important when you buy online.

Depth of seat pan

You should be able to adjust the depth of the seat pan. What this mean is that you should be able to move the back of the seat pan closer or further away from the backrest. This is achieved by either a sliding seat pan or an adjustable backrest.

If you are a short person you will find that you get better support from the backrest if you move the seat pan closer to the backrest. If you are a taller person, the chair will feel more comfortable and stable if you move the backrest further away from the backrest.

Another thing to keep in mind is that two people may be exactly the same height, yet their legs, and in particular the upper part of their legs, can differ significantly. This is one reason why you should not underestimate the importance of this feature.

Back rest

Look for a back rest that is high enough to provide proper back support.
The back rest should also have the ability to tilt or recline. This will take weight of the lower back and put less pressure on the discs in the lower back. It is also a big advantage if you can adjust the amount of resistance the backrest gives when you recline.

Padding

Don’t overlook this. You will spend long hours in your chair and if the chair feel short of proper padding when it is new, just imagine what it will feel like after six months of use.

Fortunately most of today’s better chair brands have good padding.

By the way, you will find that high density padding is much better than low density padding, as it retains its shape much longer.

To test the density of the padding put some downward pressure on it. The more dense the padding, the more solid and firm it will feel.

Weight Capacity

For most people this is not a problem, but if you are six foot eight with a bone structure the size of the incredible Hulk , this may be an issue. But, to be on the safe side, know your weight and check it against the supplier’s specifications before you buy.

Armrests

The purpose of the armrests is to provide support to your arms and to take weight of the shoulders.

When it comes to armrests you need to look for the following:

1. They should be adjustable. You should be able to move them closer or further apart, as well as up or down. That way you can adjust it to your specific dimensions and needs. You should also be able to move them out of the way when needed, like when you want to move the chair under a table. I also suggest armrest that can tilt  inwards. It makes a big difference when you type alot.
2. Ensure the armrests are wide enough and properly cushioned otherwise it will not provide proper support to your arms.

Chair Base

Think stability.

This is what to look for:

1. A base with at least five pedestals.
2. If you are a big person consider a metal base for extra strength. However, for most people a nylon base will do just fine.
3. Avoid cheap plastic bases. You run the risk of castors breaking out of the plastic. The better ones have re-inforced struts moulded into them.

Other

• The casters should move freely. If you are going to use the chair on a carpet look for nylon casters. In the case of a hard floor look for urethane casters.
• The chair should be able to swivel so that you can reach different areas without any amount of straining.
• The seat material should be easy to clean.
• The seat material should not cause any irritation when you sit. Stay away from Vinyl as it does not breathe properly, causing moisture build up.

That’s it!

I wish you all the best in your search for the perfect ergonomic chair. Once you found it make sure you know how to setup your ergonomic chair.