9 Essential Features of the Best Ergonomic Office Chairs

9 Essential Features of the Best Ergonomic Office Chairs

Despite our fast-paced work environment, many of us spend long hours seated at our desks. That’s why the importance of a good ergonomic office chair cannot be overstated. But with so many buzzwords and claims of ergonomic functions, it can be confusing to choose the right ergonomic chair for your needs.

An ergonomic chair should be designed to support the body in a way that promotes good posture, reduces repetitive strains, and enhances mobility. To help make an informed decision, let’s delve into the essential functions and features that make an ergonomic office chair a must-have for any workspace.

1. Lumbar Support

One of the most critical features of an ergonomic office chair is lumbar support. This feature helps maintain the natural curve of the spine, particularly the lower back, which is prone to strain during prolonged sitting. Proper lumbar support ensures that the spine is in its neutral position, reducing the risk of lower back pain and promoting overall spinal health. Some chairs offer adjustable lumbar support, allowing users to customize the position and firmness to their specific needs. Adjustable lumbar support for an office chair particularly important when choosing a standard chair for your office that will be used by people with different sizes and body types.

2. Adjustable Seat Height

Seat height adjustment is fundamental to achieving a comfortable and ergonomic seating position. The ideal seat height allows the user to sit with their feet flat on the floor, thighs parallel to the ground, and knees at a 90-degree angle. This position helps distribute body weight evenly, reducing pressure on the lower back and promoting good circulation in the legs. Most ergonomic chairs feature a pneumatic adjustment lever that makes it easy to modify the seat height.

3. Seat Depth Adjustment

Seat height adjustment is fundamental to achieving a comfortable and ergonomic seating position. The ideal seat height allows the user to sit with their feet flat on the floor, thighs parallel to the ground, and knees at a 90-degree angle. This position helps distribute body weight evenly, reducing pressure on the lower back and promoting good circulation in the legs. Most ergonomic chairs feature a pneumatic adjustment lever that makes it easy to modify the seat height.

4. Adjustable Armrests

Armrests play a significant role in reducing strain on the shoulders and neck. Adjustable armrests can be moved up or down, inwards or outwards, and sometimes even angled to provide optimal support. Properly positioned armrests help maintain a relaxed shoulder position and prevent the user from hunching over their desk. This feature is particularly beneficial for tasks that involve extensive typing or mouse use.

5. Recline Function

Armrests play a significant role in reducing strain on the shoulders and neck. Adjustable armrests can be moved up or down, inwards or outwards, and sometimes even angled to provide optimal support. Properly positioned armrests help maintain a relaxed shoulder position and prevent the user from hunching over their desk. This feature is particularly beneficial for tasks that involve extensive typing or mouse use.

6. Headrest

Armrests play a significant role in reducing strain on the shoulders and neck. Adjustable armrests can be moved up or down, inwards or outwards, and sometimes even angled to provide optimal support. Properly positioned armrests help maintain a relaxed shoulder position and prevent the user from hunching over their desk. This feature is particularly beneficial for tasks that involve extensive typing or mouse use.

7. Tilt Mechanism

The tilt mechanism allows the entire chair to tilt backwards, not just the backrest. This feature encourages dynamic sitting, where the user can shift their weight and change positions throughout the day. A good tilt mechanism supports a range of movements, promoting better circulation and reducing the risk of stiffness and discomfort.

8. Seat Cushioning

Comfortable and supportive seat cushioning is essential for prolonged sitting. The seat cushion should be thick enough to provide adequate support but not so soft that it causes the user to sink in. High-quality foam or memory foam cushions are often used in ergonomic chairs to distribute weight evenly and reduce pressure points.

Additionally, breathable materials like mesh are a great choice for keeping cool and ensuring comfort during long hours of use.

9. Mobility

Mobility is a key feature of ergonomic office chairs, allowing users to move around their workspace without straining. Chairs with smooth-rolling casters and a stable base provide easy movement and access to different areas of the desk. Swivel functions also enhance mobility, enabling users to turn and reach items without twisting their spine awkwardly.

The Right Ergonomic Chair for Your Needs:

An ergonomic office chair is more than just a piece of furniture; it’s an investment in your health and well-being. By providing essential support and promoting good posture, an ergonomic chair can help prevent discomfort, reduce the risk of musculoskeletal issues, and enhance overall productivity. 

When choosing an ergonomic chair, look for features such as lumbar support, adjustable seat height and depth, adjustable armrests, recline function, headrest, tilt mechanism, comfortable cushioning, and mobility. Prioritizing these features will ensure that you have a chair that supports your body and keeps you comfortable throughout the workday.

Remember, the best ergonomic chair is one that fits your individual needs and preferences. Take the time to adjust and customize your chair to achieve the perfect fit, and you’ll reap the benefits of a healthier and more comfortable workspace. 

To ensure that you have the perfect ergonomic office chair for your needs, visit a showroom to try several different chairs, speak with an expert and see for yourself which options are best suited to the way that you work. 

 

Ergonomic Office Products: Fixing More Than Just the Pain in Your Neck

Ergonomic Office Products: Fixing More Than Just the Pain in Your Neck

Lost time due to repetitive strain injuries is costing businesses. Some expert insight and simple modifications to common work habits can reduce time off, improve staff morale and save money for your business.  

In the last couple years, we’ve all had to adjust the way we work. For many, that has meant taking a fresh look at office ergonomics. Whether you work in the office, at home or anywhere in between, the costs of poor ergonomics add up. If the idea of repetitive strain injuries (RSI) isn’t enough to convince you of the merits of office ergonomics, the financial costs associated with healthcare and missed time are enough to make any manager take notice. 

A survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor reported that employees suffering from repetitive stress injuries incurred in the workplace took a median of 23 days off work, while those who experienced a slip, fall or trip took 7, and those exposed to harmful substances took just 3.

What’s more, repetitive strains resulting from office work are often easily corrected with just a small adjustment to the way we work. On the other hand, interventions are sometimes needed which involve the use of ergonomic chairs, height-adjustable desks, keyboard trays, monitor arms and other ergonomic office products. Taken together, the costs associated with these measures are only a fraction of a single office RSI.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), repetitive strain injuries are the nation’s most common and costly occupational health problem, affecting hundreds of thousands of American workers, and costing more than $20 billion a year in workers compensation.

If you suspect that stiff neck is due to the way you work, a good place to start is an ergonomic assessment from a certified ergonomist. They will assess your workstation and habits against a checklist of best practices for office workers and recommend ways to improve the way you work. Here’s a brief overview of what to look for when assessing office ergonomics:

 

The Case for Investing in Ergonomic Office Products for Your Team:

The health and safety of your staff is integral to the success of your business. Moreover, investing in office ergonomics doesn’t just boost morale, there is real evidence to suggest it is a sound financial investment as well. Research in the US has shown that for every dollar invested in an ergonomics intervention strategy (e.g. RSI prevention), in an office environment, there is a return of $17.80.

Helping Ease Pains and Strains One Ergonomic Office Chair at a Time:

We’re 100% committed to helping our customers create a comfortable, productive workplace. That’s why we offer an office ergonomics program to help you discover the right combination of products and practices to eliminate repetitive strain injuries. 

Ergonomic Assessments

We‘ve partnered with a local certified ergonomist to offer ergonomic assessments in office settings. These intensive sessions evaluate your office employees’ work style and habits and offer real solutions to prevent work-related injuries for office staff.

How it works:

1) A certified Ergonomist visits your workplace and conducts a thorough assessment of your workspace along with commonly performed tasks.

2) The Ergonomist prepares a report based on OSHA checklists to identify risk factors for cumulative trauma injuries.

3) A set of recommendations is presented, outlining changes to be made in practices as well as any ergonomic products that can assist to mitigate your specific risk factors.

 

 

Chair Trial Programme

With all the styles, options and features available in modern office chairs, choosing the right one can be challenging. That’s why we created our Chair Trial program – an easy way to find your perfect seating match.

How it works:

1) Choose a chair from our most popular office seating options.

2) A member of our team delivers it to your workplace.

3) Try it out for 1-3 days, using it the way you would on a day-to-day basis.

4) At the end of the week, we’ll pick up the chair and one of our furniture experts will get your feedback on the trial.

5) Order your very own chair of the same model, or choose another option based on your needs.

Ergonomic Products Catalogue

Our office ergonomics program includes a catalogue of ergonomic office products approved by a certified ergonomist to help with many of the most common issues that arise from improper office ergonomics. With dozens of options including ergonomic desks and chairs, monitor arms, keyboard trays, mice and more, we offer a comprehensive selection of products to help with all your ergonomic needs.  

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