A Definitive Guide To Choosing An Office Chair
Introduction To The Definitive Guide to Choosing an Office Chair
A comfortable office chair is the most crucial office equipment. Whether you work at an office or from home. We are going through a pandemic, and working from home like freelancing is getting more common. People who work 40 hours a week in an office or are sitting behind the computer screen spend a significant portion of their lives on the office chair. The common problems someone gets by sitting on the office chair are developing back pains, leg problems, difficulties in the spinal cord, soreness in the neck, etc.
The employees’ productivity has a direct relation to the chair’s quality. When people feel comfortable on their chairs, they can be more concentrated on their job. On the other hand, if they feel bad in an uncomfortable chair, they would be more likely to get absent from the office due to having pain and requiring rest or therapy. Therefore, employers should invest in buying comfortable and supportive office chairs instead of having some employees with health problems concentrating on work!
Many ergonomic studies on various chairs showed that a supportive office chair improves productivity and enhances the person's efficiency sitting on it. It would be best to shop for an office chair that meets your needs regarding weight, height, size, and work type. You do not want to be forced to shop for a new chair after a couple of months of use.
Keeping these in mind, shopping for the right office chair seems a bit intimidating. But it would be easier if you researched what to look for. In the present article, we will provide you with a complete guide on choosing a perfect office chair, so you can have a comfortable seat, focus on your work, and get the rewards.
What To Look For In An Office Chair?
Many people care about the appearance and shape of an office chair more than the possible health influence the chair will have on the person who uses it. It is right that a chair is a part of the décor, but the design and ergonomics of a chair are beyond everything else.
1. Seat Depth And Padding
The seat should fit your behind, so it must be broad enough. The adjustability of the chair’s height is significant both for tall and short persons. It also needs to have a deep seat, especially for tall people. Lock and unlock features for setting a recliner position are essential. These are the ergonomics of the chair. An ergonomic chair should guarantee comfort, productivity, and efficiency. It is according to the laws of work.
2. High Weight Capacity
Considering that different weights would sit on a chair, especially in an office, it is wiser to buy office chairs that can hold the widest range of users. Get a chair that has a weight capacity of 500 pounds or more.
3. Lumbar Support
A good office chair has to support your lumbar to keep you safe from back problems. When there is too much pressure on the lower back, muscle fatigue and back strain occur.
Stuffing the gap between the lumbar spine and the seat can provide support for the lumbar. It would be best if you bought an office chair that gives you this support. Otherwise, you will expose yourself to back pain. Listening to this tip will help you save yourself from lower back problems and assist you in good posture.
4. Adjustability
People’s bodies are different, so the ways they feel comfortable are various too. A good office chair can accommodate everyone according to its body. In a work environment, several employees can come and go because of different shifts or personnel changes. That is the reason that adjustability is so important. A chair with completely adjustable overall height, back height, widths, and armrests is a perfect chair. This chair makes it possible for everyone who uses it to customize the chair according to their needs.
Various adjustable features are lumbar support, seat slide and tilt, arm width and height, seat back width and height, and tension control.
Backrest Adjustment
A chair’s backrest needs to be adjustable enough based on the shape of your spine. The backrest shape should have a curve in your lower back. It should provide enough support and resting space for the shoulder blades.
Armrest Adjustment
The armrests are parts of the chair with adequate padding that you could position your elbows comfortably on it at 90 degrees angle and avoid placing strain on your shoulders. Armrests provide support for your arms and shoulders to relax and rest. They should be placed close to the body. The height of the armrest is crucial while looking for a perfect office chair. They need to be adjustable to come in line with the desk's height to prevent shoulder strain.
5. Headrest
The headrest is placed on the top of the backrest, supports your head, and releases the pressure on your neck. It could be one of the most important items when searching for a comfortable chair, especially neck issues.
6. Wheel-Base And Swivel-Base Chair
While sitting in your chair, you need to grab stuff from around you and not get up or stretch constantly. So get a chair that is wheel and swivel-based, and you will be roaming around freely while sitting in your chair.
7. Fabric
We all have experienced seats that turned too hot while sitting on them. The cushion and fabric are vital in this regard. Look for breathable and medium-textured upholstery to find the best types of fabrics for the chair. Breathable material is essential to bring the right temperature when seated. The fabric should have the right quality according to the environment you are working in. It also needs to be comfortable and cleanable. The mix of wool to synthetic fabrics is significant to the feel and long-term comfort. You do not want itchy or abrasive fabrics that would irritate your skin or trap heat.
8. Durability And Sturdiness
The best office chairs are the most durable ones. While searching for a perfect and long-lasting office chair, you need to emphasize the construction. Seats with steel frames are the most durable and long-lasting design. Steel frames make them virtually indestructible.
9. Warranties
A good manufacturer warranty is a must for a good office chair. By choosing this chair, you protect your investment. A good warranty also proves that the product has high quality and is supported by a value guarantee.
As all fingers from a single hand are not the same, people are not the same, and every individual has a different definition and level of comfort. Therefore, try and sit on the chairs to see which one suits you more before you decide to buy it.
Why Is A Good Office Chair Important?
Health
Emphasize your body when you work. One way to do that is getting a chair that you can sit on without injuries or uncomfortable feelings.
Prolonged sitting, while posing unease on the spine, normally causes back pain. Besides that, you might suffer from pain. You would spend a lot more money for therapy and get an absence from work.
So there are many advantages to having a suitable office chair other than less back pain. A supportive and comfortable chair will prevent exhaustion and unease from sitting on an uncomfortable chair for hours.
Productivity
Research has shown that comfortable employees are more productive than uncomfortable ones. They also contribute to a more positive work environment. Providing suitable and comfortable office chairs for employees helps decrease the number of breaks the workers will want to take because of feeling uncomfortable.
The work equipment, atmosphere, and comfort affect your performance. You should create a space that makes you feel comfortable, energized and encouraged. A proper chair will give your back and body the support you need when working.
To stay productive at work, you require a chair that enables you to place your feet on the ground and at the same time can change your position easily. Sitting in the same position for a long time can cause fatigue in muscles and thus influencing productivity. Take care of your lumbar when sitting in a chair for a long time. Your back also needs adequate support.
Posture
As mentioned briefly, the chair affects your posture. A chair with an adjustable backrest and height enables you to keep the right posture during your work times.
You want to work and be super productive in your workplace. So get a chair that provides you with a comfortable posture while working. Your chair should offer you a unique experience.
There are wide varieties of office chairs out there in the market that will confuse you for finding a decent one. So it would be helpful if you prepared yourself with adequate and proper information before shopping.
Trying A Sample Chair
Many companies supply office equipment. They bring several chairs to an office for you to sit and try them and decide which chair fits you best. When purchasing new chairs, it is better to look for these features:
- An adjustable backrest which is following the shape of the spine is essential. The backrest needs to support the curve in the lower back.
- The feet should reach the floor and be placed comfortably in a flat position. Otherwise, put a footrest under your feet or adjust the chair height.
- The armrest should be close to the body and provide a place for the arms and shoulders to rest.
- Arm height needs to be adjustable and fits the height of the desk. This way, your shoulders will not feel the strain.
- While sitting on the chair and looking forward, the midpoint of the screen is what needs to be directly in front of your eyes.
- The backrest should come up to the middle of the shoulder blades to provide adequate support, and it is even better to raise it above the shoulder.
- The chair seat must be deep enough to place two or three-finger between it and the knee. A cushion made of memory foam is perfect.
Choosing the right office chair that brings comfort and prevents injury and pain to the user is crucial to have productive, happy, healthy workers who are not taking time off because of injuries.
>>>Click here to read what Wikipedia says about office chairs<<<
Conclusion
Regardless of where you work, home, or office, a comfortable office chair is the most crucial equipment you need. Many people sit half of their life on an office chair behind the computer screen. The least someone needs by sitting on the office chair are developing back pains, leg problems, difficulties in the spinal cord, soreness in the neck, etc.
Researches have shown that the employees’ productivity has a direct relation with the chair’s quality. Being more comfortable on the chair helps you to be more focused on your job. In other words, if they feel bad in an uncomfortable chair, they would be more likely to be absent from the office due to having pain and requiring rest or therapy. It would help if you shopped for an office chair that meets your needs regarding weight, height, size, and work type.
We hope to have provided you with enough information to buy a comfortable office chair in this article. The most items to look for while buying a chair include seat depth and padding; high weight capacity; lumbar support; adjustability (in backrest and armrest); headrest; wheel-base and swivel-base chair; breathable fabric; durability and sturdiness; warranties.
I trust you enjoyed this blog post about choosing the best office chair. Please stay tuned for more articles to come. Take care!
JeannetteZ
Your Opinion Is Important To Me
I would love to hear from you. Please leave me your questions, experiences, remarks, and/or suggestions about choosing the best office chair blog post in the comments section below. You can also reach me by email at Jeannette@WorkFromAnywhereInTheWorld.com.
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