Your sitting posture can have a significant impact on your health. It's especially true if you have a desk job that requires you to spend long hours in a sitting position.
Almost all individuals with a desk job know the significance of an ergonomic office chair. An ergonomic office chair is designed to support your body's natural alignment so you can continue to sit comfortably while minimizing the negative health implications of prolonged sitting.
However, not many realize that it’s investing in an ergonomic office chair is just one of the many critical elements of setting up an ergonomic workstation. The other major element of setting up an ergonomic workstation is knowing how to adjust the ergonomic chair to maximize support for your body.
And that’s what we look at in this post. In what follows, we share a step-by-step guide to adjusting your ergonomic chair so you can enjoy more comfort and the correct support. Following these steps to adjust your ergonomic chair can improve your posture and prevent lower back pain. But before we get into the step-by-step guide to adjusting your ergonomic chair, let’s take a look at what makes an ergonomic workstation.
Elements That Make a Great Workstation
If you have a desk job that requires you to sit for most of your workday, you should know what elements make a great workstation. There are three elements of a good workstation which include
The chair,
The work surface (the desk) and
The floor.
To ensure that you maintain an appropriate posture while sitting, the first two elements of your workstation must be adjustable. This means that for an ideal ergonomic workstation, you need to have an adjustable office chair and a workstation that can also adjust to your changing needs.
If you cannot change your work surface yet, the least you need for an ergonomic workstation is an ergonomic office chair that is fully adjustable.
What Features Do Adjustable Ergonomic Office Chairs Have?
If you choose an ergonomic office chair that doesn't adjust, it won't be easy to accommodate the needs of varying individuals. Hence, not all workers using the ergonomic office chair won't find a comfortable working posture. Therefore, investing in an adjustable ergonomic office chair is a must, but you can only invest in one if you know the features of an adjustable ergonomic office chair.
An adjustable ergonomic office chair should have the following features.
Adjustable seat height,
Adjustable backrest tilt,
Adjustable seat tilt,
Adjustable armrest and neck rest,
Adjustable seat depth,
Tension adjustment,
Lumbar support,
Seat tilt pivot point,
Backrest adjustment and
Appropriate Castors suitable for the type of flooring and
A swivel mechanism.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Adjusting Your Ergonomic Chair
An adjustable ergonomic office chair makes an integral cornerstone of your workstation, but once you have invested in your chair, it's essential to learn how to adjust it properly, so it best fits your body.
Here's a step-by-step guide on adjusting your ergonomic office chair.
Step #1. Adjust the Seat Height
The first step to getting a highly supportive ergonomic office chair is to adjust the height of your chair, so you sit comfortably.
While the seat height between 16 and 21 inches off the ground works for most individuals, you must check your feet's placement to adjust your seat's height. Adjust your seat's height such that your feet are firmly placed on the ground with your thighs horizontal to the floor.
To adjust the seat height, you need to stand in front of your chair and adjust the seat height to just below your kneecaps. Next, you need to sit in the chair with your back firmly placed against the backrest and adjust the seat’s cylinder to get the appropriate height. Make sure your feet are placed firmly on the ground with your thighs horizontal to the ground and your knees making a 90-degree angle.
Step # 2: Adjust the Seat's Depth
Adjusting the seat's height is critical but let's not forget that adjusting the seat's depth is equally important. However, most individuals tend to overlook it.
By adjusting the depth of your ergonomic office chair, you can enjoy a remarkable improvement in the level of comfort your ergonomic office chair has to offer. Adjusting the seat's depth slides the seat pan towards or away from the back of the chair so you can get the appropriate distance from your workstation. Individuals with shorter height will need a seat closer to the back of the chair, whereas taller individuals would want it a little further away.
To adjust your office chair's depth, locate the depth adjustment knob at the bottom of your office chair. The knob will cause your chair's seat to move inward or outward, depending on where you turn the knob.
To get the most appropriate seat depth, there should be a gap of about four inches or a clenched fist between the back of the chair and the edge of your seat’s cushion.
Once you get your required position, don't forget to lock the knob.
Step # 3: Adjust the Chair's Angle
It's important to adjust the angle of your chair as a chair that is too straight can lead to posture-related problems, whereas an ergonomic chair with an overly tilted backrest can be equally detrimental to your posture and spine's health.
An adjustable ergonomic office chair allows you to conveniently adjust the angle or the tilt of your chair's backrest so you can sit comfortably while maintaining your posture. Sitting on a slight angle aids in relieving pressure from under your thighs while providing a wider hip angle and improved back posture.
To adjust the tilt of your ergonomic office chair, you need to adjust the lever that's typically found on the right side of the chair, showing a forward and backward arrow. You can adjust the level to maintain an upright posture while you are working.
Step # 4. Adjust the Backrest's Height
Certain adjustable ergonomic office chairs allow you to adjust the height of the backrest, so your lumbar spine gets the maximum support. The protruding part of your ergonomic office chair should fit into the low back, about waist level. However, different ergonomic office chairs offer different backrest height adjustments.
Some ergonomic office chairs have a lever to adjust the backrest's height, while others feature a knob. Depending upon the knob or lever and the recommended movement, you can adjust your backrest’s height to get maximum support for your spine.
Step # 5. Adjust the Arms
By adjusting the chair's height, seat depth, and height of your backrest, you are almost done. But a few more adjustments need to be made.
Adjust your chair's armrest, so your arms rest comfortably at your sides to relieve strain and pressure from your neck, shoulders, and upper back. Armrests are usually height and depth adjustable, but some chairs may also feature the ability to pivot the armrests towards or away from your body.
Step #6. Adjust the Headrest
Here's the last step to adjusting your ergonomic office chair. For a super comfortable sitting experience, don't forget to adjust the headrest.
Headrests are designed to provide support and comfort to the head and neck so you can conveniently work on your screen without straining your eyes, neck, and shoulders.
The Adjustable Ergonomic Office Chair for You
Adjustability is a critical aspect of an ergonomic office chair's design. If you don't have your chair adjusted according to your body, you are provided a less-than-optimal support to your body which is why it's important that you invest in an adjustable ergonomic chair and know how to adjust it.
If you are looking for an adjustable ergonomic office chair, look no further, as Ergonomic Office Mesh Chair 6579 by FlexiSpot makes a great chair for you. The adjustable ergonomic office chair is ergonomically designed to maximize support for your body so you can comfortably spend 1/3 of your day at the desk. It is made from top-quality breathable mesh that keeps you cool and comfortable all day. Moreover, it features several adjustability options that allow you to adjust the chair according to your needs to maximize comfort while working.
FlexiSpot is an industry leader in providing top-quality, durable, ergonomic office furniture and accessories. Whether you have a job that requires you to spend long hours at the desk or your workplace is all about prolonged standing, at Flexispot, you can choose the most appropriate office furniture and accessories that are designed to provide appropriate support to your body so you can enjoy better health today and forever.
To learn more about Ergonomic Office Mesh Chair 6579 and other ergonomic office furniture and accessories, get in touch with us today.
