Top 8 Features To Consider In A Desk Chair
Many overlook the details when buying a desk or office chair. Most people don’t realize that their office or desk chair is one of the most important pieces of furniture they will buy for a desk. Failure to consider key features in the purchase could actually result in bad posture, back pain, and reduced productivity. If you are a computer worker it is even more critical in terms of productivity. Repetitive motions at a computer keyboard can be very damaging if you don’t use a desk chair that provides proper posture and back support.
Here are the top eight features you should consider when buying a desk chair:
Feature 1: Does the Chair Support Good Posture or Bad Posture?
First, good posture is a critical feature to look for when buying a desk chair. The chair should be adjustable to a height where your feet can rest on the floor comfortably. The thighs should be square in relation to the floor and fully-supported meaning that they do not slope down as you sit. A very important aspect of this is the back lumbar support. As you sit, there should be a 90 to 105-degree angle formed by your torso and upper legs. Of course the chair should tilt back but not so easy that you fall. And overall, the chair should allow posture changes easily and frequently.
Some chairs are created just for the purpose of helping you strengthen your core posture support muscles and reverse bad posture. The most common form of these is the exercise ball chair (see below), which can be a great way to get a core work for improving posture while at work. If you want a more traditional office chair, here are some more features to take into account.
Feature 2: Chair Type
Second, the type of desk chair is important too. There is the heavy use chair that should be a first choice among those who sit at a desk for very long hours. Typical occupations benefiting from the heavy use chair are computer programmers, web designers, and receptionists. The key to a chair like this is that the person sitting in it can tilt it in any direction while the entire chair moves with the tilt. The end result is that there is constant back support. This has the effect of reducing fatigue.
Another type of chair is the moderate use chair. This chair is good for those who are not constantly at their desk but moving throughout the office. This would be characteristic of a middle manager or line supervisor. Some of these chairs have knee-tilt mechanisms that allow one to lean back in the chair but keep the feet on the ground–unlike the heavy use chair where all parts of the chair move. Without this mechanism, there would be a lot of discomfort over extended periods of time. The moderate use chair typically has a more-stylish look than that of most desk chairs.
A third type of chair is much more elaborate and that is the executive chair. The executive chairs are somewhat like the moderate use chairs but much more plush and comfortable. They have an executive “look” about them. Of course these chairs focus on style and comfort but they are not for extended periods of sitting and are good for executives who are running in between meetings as well as spending a significant amount of time on the phone and computer. Executive type chairs give a look of authority in their style.
Feature 3: Back Lumbar Support
The back rest of the office desk chair should be studied closely prior to choosing your chair. Many don’t know the term lumbar but they do know about the curvature of their spine at the lower back. This is known as the lumbar region and the back rest of the chair should support it while seated. You will find that you will become very fatigued without this support. See if there are mechanisms to maintain the lumbar support irregardless of the chair position.
Feature 4: Chair Height
There should be a mechanism to quickly and easily adjust the chair height. The height of the chair should be such that the thighs are horizontal with the floor. Some older chairs make you have to twist a cylinder at the neck of the chair to adjust the height. The problem is that you cannot quickly adjust it like those with convenient levers. Improper chair height will quickly cause you to get fatigued plus cause circulation problems. If the chair is too high, you’ll find yourself bending forward to see the computer screen and keyboard. If it is too low, you’ll find you will have circulation problems in your legs and will have to raise your arms too high to type.
Feature 5: The Seat Pan
The best type of seat pan for a desk chair is one that has a rounded or waterfall edge at the front. The seat pan is basically where you sit. The seat pans with rounded or waterfall edges take pressure off of the legs and help with circulation. There is a mechanism known as a forward slider that will adjust the depth of the seat pan. You are trying to adjust to three to four fingers between the back of the knees and the front edge of the seat pan so that there is optimum circulation to the legs. The width of the seat pan should extend at least one inch on both sides in order to have the best comfort. There should also be a tilt adjustment so that one can keep the pressure in check at the back of the thighs. Optimum leg circulation is the key here.
Feature 6: The Arm Rests
Arm rests are critical to taking tension off of the shoulders and neck. The arm rests should be quickly adjustable for different tasks such as one position for reading.
Feature 7: Fabric
You will want to choose a fabric that “breathes” well so that you don’t sweat a lot. Of course you will also want to choose a fabric that is appealing to the eye.
Feature 8: Stability
This goes without saying. You don’t want a desk chair that is unstable for safety’s sake. This chair should tilt with you but not to a point where it easily topples over. Casters should be hard for carpeted floors and be coated with rubber for hard surfaces.
In summary, take the time to carefully shop for your desk chair. Injuries due to poor posture can be very painful and counterproductive. You need to remember you will be in your chair a lot. If you are uncomfortable or even just slightly irritated by the chair you are sitting in, it will most likely increase over time so that you will find that it interferes with your productivity and even your mood. Being just a little unhappy about your chair will affect you every time you sit in it. And any back pain form your chair can affect you 24/7 not just when you are sitting.
Useful Resource for Better Office Posture
Get Fit While You Sit
FitBall Exercise Ball Chair – with Choice of 55cm Ball
Ergonomic Office Chair at a Great Discount
High Back Mesh Ergonomic Task Chair With Adjustable Arms [BT-6001-GYBK-GG]
Improve Your Existing Chair With Lumbar Support or a Pillow Wedge
POSTURE PERFECT MASSAGING BACK SUPPORT CUSHION WITH MEMORY FOAM. YOUR SEAT SOLUTION.
Angel Sales PosturePro Lumbar Support
Stress Wedge – Office Chair Pillow, Pillow for Chair, Chair Pillow, Chair Cushion
Edwin Passorio
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/top-8-features-to-consider-when-buying-a-desk-chair-92003.html
Leave a Comment