Are you sitting comfortably? Choosing the right ergonomic chair

The wrong office chair can be a costly mistake. According to UNISON, incorrect posture is responsible for back pain, the cause of 12 million working days lost every year.

Investing in the right ergonomic chair is better for your long-term health, your quality of life, and your bank balance. If you’re looking at investing in a brand-new seating solution, here are a few things you should look out for:

What is an ergonomic chair?

Ergonomic chairs are highly adjustable chairs that, because of their adaptability, support the body, promote good posture and prevent discomfort by providing an aligned and supported position for your body whilst seated at your desk.

How to find the right ergonomic chair

When shopping for an ergonomic chair, there are certain features you should consider:

Is the seat height adjustable on your ergonomic chair?

Your new office chair should be easily adjustable. In an ideal world, a pneumatic adjustment lever will give you a wide number of seating options for maximum comfort. When you sit in the chair, you should be able to keep your feet flat on the floor with your thighs horizontal and arms level with the height of the desk. If you look for a seat with a height range from about 40-53cm off the floor, you should be able to find a height that works for you.

Is there sufficient seat width and depth?

The seat should have enough width and depth to be comfortable. For ergonomic success, you should be able to sit with your back up against the backrest with 5-10cm from the edge of the seat to the back of the knees.

For greater versatility, look for an office chair with forward and backward adjustable tilt.

Is there an adjustable lumbar support?

The lumbar support supports the lower spine where your back curves inwards. This is really important as, if unsupported, can lead to slouching and strain on the lower spine. A good ergonomic chair should have an adjustable lumbar support that can be adjusted to both different heights and depths.

How versatile is the backrest?

Some chair backrests are separate from the seat, in which case the angle and height should both be adjustable. The backrest should effectively support the full length of the spine, including that all-important lumbar region. If the backrest and seat are a single piece, it should be adjustable both forward and backwards with a locking mechanism to hold it at the right angle.

What type of seat material do you prefer?

Seat with fabric tends to offer a greater comfort level than hard seats, but they are also preferable to a harder surface in summer when you want to avoid sticking to a chair.

Are the armrests adjustable?

Office chair armrests should be adjustable. When they are at the right height, they should allow your arms to rest comfortably. Your elbows and lower arms should be relaxed, but not rest on the chair when typing.

Is there a swivel function?

Any conventional-style office chair or ergonomic chair should easily rotate so you can swivel to reach all areas of your desk without having to twist and overstretch.

At Box15, we have ergonomic office chairs to suit all needs, and all shapes, sizes and colours. You can see our full range of ergonomic and standard office chairs here. Or, if you’d like some advice on finding the right ergonomic seat for your office, you can chat with us on our website or call us on 01295 565001.