Tips on How to Choose An Appropriate Office Chair
When shopping for the best ergonomic office chair, finding a chair that fits your unique needs should be the top priority. Not every chair labeled “ergonomic” has all of the adjustment features necessary to truly be considered ergonomic. Here are the top 5 features you need to consider to make the best selection possible:
- Seat pan comfort and shape-
When you sit on the chair, the seat pan should be at least 1 inch wider than your hips and thighs on either side. Also, the seat pan should not be too long for your legs otherwise it will either catch you behind the knees or it will prevent you from leaning fully back against the lumbar support. Most ergonomic chairs possess a seat pan with a waterfall front that prevents the seat from catching you behind the knees. The seat pan should also be contoured to allow even weight distribution and finally, it should be comfortable to sit on.
- Think adjustable-
Always ensure that your chair is pneumatically adjustable so that you can adjust the seat pan height while you are sitting on the chair. You should be able to adjust the height of the seat pan so that the front of your knees are level or slightly below level while your feet are firmly on the ground. In most cases, there should be no need for you to use a footrest. The mechanism to adjust the seat height should be easy to reach and operate when you are seated.
- Lumbar support is key-
Many chairs have cushioned lumbar supports that can be adjusted up and down and forwards and backward in order to best fit your shape. If the chair will be used by multiple users then this level of adjustment may be required. However, if you are the primary user of the chair then a fixed lumbar support may be acceptable if it feels comfortable.
- Don’t forget about the hips-
A chair that doesn’t provide enough hip room can make you sit too far forward on the seat pan. This will not provide enough thigh support while you are sitting on the chair.
- Have a long-term strategy-
Think about how the chair will feel after 60 or 120 minutes. Low-density foam seat pans can become permanently deformed after long term use which can affect cushioned support leading to discomfort, imbalance, and hip and back fatigue.
And one bonus tip!
- Chair covers 101-
On the market, there is a variety of upholstery materials available, each of which has benefits and concerns. Vinyl and vinyl-like coverings are easy to clean and spill resistant, but they don’t breathe. As such, if the chair begins to heat up under the thighs, uncomfortable amounts of moisture can accumulate. Cloth upholstery on the other hand is the most common covering, but it is less resistant to spills and more difficult to clean. A cloth-covered seat pan can also become warm and moisture-laden. Also, over time, cloth-covered foam seat pans can become a significant source of dust mite allergen. When selecting your chair covering, think about cleaning and maintenance in order for you to plan and decide appropriately.
Author: Dr. Marco De Ciantis, D.C.