Qualities of a Good Office Chair

Good office chairs are more than just a place to put up your feet at the end of the day. As you spend, on average, eight hours a day sitting in one of these pieces of furniture, it's important to get a model that is comfortable. And not only will you be happier when spending time in your chair, but studies show that an amazing price is paid by employers who have employees with poor chair-sitting habits. Office chairs that are too hard or too soft, for example, can make you uncomfortable. And according to the experts from Vertiflex.com, this discomfort can make you less productive at work. By contrast, a chair that is the correct height for your desk allows your legs to rest at 90 degrees or slightly less with the knee bent at about 90 degrees as well. In addition to proper support for your legs and thighs, good office chairs have armrests that are adjustable

or removable so that you have complete control over where and how you use them.

If you want to get a truly great office chair, you need to think about how much time you spend in your chair each day. And if you are still on the fence about what kind of chair would work best for your needs, consider looking at these factors:

1. How much time do you spend sitting in your chair every single day?

2. How important is it for a chair to have an adjustable height? (This can make a major difference if you are tall or short.)

3. Do you need good back support when sitting in your office chair? (The back and side lumbar support will reduce or eliminate lower back pain. If this doesn't sound important to you, consider how much time you spend in your chair and the fact that you will be sitting for about 80,000 hours during your lifetime!)

4. Where do you sit most often – in front of your computer or at a conference table? If you need armrests that are height-adjustable, look for an office chair with this feature.

5. Are you willing to pay extra for an ergonomic design? Is it important that a chair is breathable (so your backside won't overheat) and meets anti-bacterial standards? Do you think that these attributes are worth the additional costs?

6. How heavy is the chair you are considering? If it is too heavy, you might find yourself uncomfortable after a long day at the office.

7. Do you want a chair that will last? The Vertiflex experts advise against purchasing an inexpensive office chair based on customer ratings for two reasons: the manufacturers do not always stand by their products, and many of the lower priced models are easy to break.

In response to these considerations, Vertiflex has identified thirteen features that make for a top-notch ergonomic desk chair. They include:

1. Contoured cushions

2. Foam, leather or mesh seat back

3. Mesh fabric or leather armrests (that can be adjusted)

4. Seat height adjustment—either pneumatic or a lever, so you don't have to strain to reach it with your feet.

5. Adjustable tilt tension, so you can find the perfect balance between tilt and vertical positioning of your spine; this is especially important for people who are prone to slouching when sitting down. (Note: lumbar support will help you sit up straight.) 6. Chair back height adjustment—a lever control can make it easy to lower the chair's back, which will allow you to sit more upright

7. Height-adjustable arms—an adjustable armrest is ideal if you need help supporting your elbows. (This feature can also help if you have limited range of movement in your wrists. If this isn't important to you, consider a chair without adjustable arms.)

8. Return valves for air chambers—to keep them from collapsing when they are compressed; these valves are the same ones that can be found in car seats and are designed to keep air pressure under certain limits. (This feature is not a consideration for people who have difficulty maintaining a constant level of blood pressure.) 9. An easy-to-clean, durable fabric; a mesh fabric would be the best choice.

10. A contoured seat that won't result in pressure points; this is an important consideration for people with fibromyalgia and other chronic pain conditions. (Consider using a gel seat cover if you are prone to developing pressure sores.) 11. Height-adjustable base—if you are tall, you might find a fixed base more comfortable because it will allow your legs to rest slightly lower than your desk or work surface. 12. Integrated arm support—again, if you don't need this feature, consider one without it so the chair will be lighter in weight and perhaps more portable. 13. Backrest height adjustment - if there is a way the backrest can be raised, so you can have the chair's back support level with your shoulders. (People who are tall sometimes need this feature, while others find it less important.)

When researching ergonomic chairs for your workplace, consider asking a few questions to help narrow down the choices. For example:

1. How many hours per day do you spend sitting in your office chair? 2. How often do you sit in that chair for an extended period of time, such as when working on a computer screen or at a conference table? 3. What kinds of chairs have you tried before? 4. What is your budget? 5. What features are important to you?

For more information about a great office chair, or other products and services from Vertiflex, visit their website.

- Look for the "think of the children" label on your products - Consider visiting a comfortable furniture store - Ask family and friends if they know someone who would be willing to give you honest feedback - Visit www.ergonomicsociety.org to find a certified ergonomist in your area or call the Ergonomic Info Center helpline at 1-800-447-0094 For more information about ergonomic office furniture, visit www.ergonomicinfo.org or call the Ergonomic Info Center helpline at 1-800-447-0094

Dr. Magor

Magor is a licensed physical therapist and owner of Dr. Magor Physical Therapy in the Los Angeles area. He has over twenty years of experience in the health care field, with a focus on injury prevention and chronic pain management. You can visit his website for more information at www.drmagorthotics.com or follow him on Twitter @drmagorthtician.

Conclusion

Everyone has their own preferences when it comes to office chairs and ergonomic office furniture. While the information covered in this article is not meant to provide specific advice, it should be helpful in suggesting the things to consider in making your purchase. Know your goals and then choose a chair that have been designed with comfort and support in mind.

Reference Sources:

https://www.ergonomicsociety.org/learning/problem-solving/sitting-politics https://www.sofasearchformenuae.co.uk/recommended-ergonomic-chairs-for-office/#recent http://www.restaurantweeksusa.