What is an ergonomic chair?
That’s the question that’s on most people’s minds as it is a word that is constantly used when it comes to describing some specific types of furniture. The word ergonomic simply means that the particular product in question has been designed with some considerations in mind. These range from the comfort and good posture, all aimed at improving support for the body and ensuring that the user doesn’t get into trouble when working.
We are going to look at some of the factors that you have to pay close attention to when buying an ergonomic chair for your home or regular office setting. If this has been in your plans, then stick around to the end to learn a thing or two that will come in handy down the road.
Height Adjustability
This is the most important factor that makes an ergonomic chair a must; without it, what you have is just another fancy-looking chair that doesn’t do much. A good ergonomic office chair should be able to have height adjustability that ranges from about 16 to 21 inches. This is more than enough to handle all your needs when you are working in different environments. You may find yourself moving from one desk to another, and adjusting the height of the seat quickly could be the difference between convenience and pure hell.
A good recommendation in this regard would be the Adjustable Ergonomic Leather Office Chair that has a one-touch lever for quickly switching the height of the chair within seconds.
Comfort
Think about the number of hours that you will spend on that chair before making the decision. The average time people spend at work is about 8hrs. Any way you look at that, it is an awfully long time for someone to spend in one position. To ensure you don’t end the day with an aching back or a sprained neck, go for an ergonomic chair that is built for comfort.
Look at the thickness of the padding and how soft it is. You don’t want to feel the hard parts of the chair every time you sit down. Consider the design of the armrests and ensure they are also padded. That's where your elbows will be resting upon. Never compromise on your comfort when it comes to office chairs.
Compatibility
Most times, when talking about an ergonomic chair, you also have to think of other ergonomic furniture that you can combine to make things, even more, cozier and efficient for you. Think of something like a Theodore Standing Desk from Flexispot that can be combined with an ergonomic chair to create the most flexible workstation you will ever come across.
This would allow you to work either by sitting or standing, switching between the two to keep your body from spending too much time in one position. The advantage of this level of compatibility is that both products are small enough to fit even in tiny spaces, and they can also be moved to any other location quickly.
Purpose and Functionality
These chairs may look the same, but they are built differently. There are those that are designed for a regular office setting, and they come with specific f features that make working in such an environment easy. Then there are those that are built for gaming and are much bigger and have extra features that allow gamers to make movements without breaking them.
Consider the purpose of the chair before making any purchase. Getting any chair just because it is ergonomic may not be the right thing to do. This is how you may end up with a gaming chair for office work, and you will quickly realize that it is not a good fit. Think of what you need the chair for, then find one that fits the bill.
Lumbar Support and Backrest
The spine and the neck are the two areas of the body that experience the most strain and stress when sitting down. This is why using the wrong chair can lead to a lot of trouble for the user. When getting an ergonomic chair, check the chair to find out how the lumbar support is set up. It should be able to cover and hug your entire back sufficiently for that extra comfort.
The same thing applies to the backrest. You should not snap anything when you try to lean back on your chair. The backrest should be flexible enough to support your neck and lower body to stop any pain and complications from setting in.
Upholstery
Upholstery refers to the materials that are used to make the chair. There are the cushions that form the padding; then there’s the cover that holds everything in place and gives the chair that iconic look. This material usually ranges from leather, faux leather, fabric, cotton, and many others.
The material used determines a lot of things as far as comfort and aesthetics are concerned. For example, the fabric is good for breathability, but it may not be that strong to hold the body for many years. Leather, on the other hand, is stronger and looks better but doesn’t have any breathability, and this can cause discomfort on hot days.
Budget
Comfort comes at a price, but when you consider the alternative of having to treat back and neck problems, it becomes a pocket change in the long run. A good number of ergonomic chairs are costly, but that doesn’t mean that there are no budget chairs that can work.
There’s no reason to break your bank for a chair, but if you can afford anything high-end that will serve your needs for long, then go for it. The advantage of office chairs is that they are resilient. You will be using them for a few hours every day, and this means you will get a good number of years out of them before you start thinking of replacements.
Seat Capacity and Build
Consider your weight when hunting your next ergonomic chair. If you are light, then you have more options to choose from. However, if you are heavy and tall, you have to factor all that into your decision. Most ergonomic chairs are built with the best of materials that are designed to last and have a high carrying capacity.
The average office chair is made to carry between 250 lbs to 400 lbs of weight. You have to match the seat with your total weight to ensure that you are comfortable when sitting. The last thing you would want is to have a seat that feels like it could collapse and injure you at any moment.
Stability and Movement
How level is the chair? Does it calibrate itself when faced with an uneven floor? By definition, an ergonomic chair should be able to deal with some of these issues with minimal interference. Check the stability of the chair by actually sitting in them to get the feel.
Another important factor you should pay close attention to is the movement. Almost all office chairs come with caster wheels that make it easy for the user to move from one place to another without having to carry the chair. This is what you should be going for rather than the other types. You don’t want to sprain your back carrying a heavy chair around when you could be pushing it without using up any energy.
The Brand
When it comes to ergonomic chairs, the brand matters a lot. Not everyone can make ergonomic chairs, and a good number of companies that love using that word in their products tend to never know exactly what it takes to make a chair ergonomic. You have to be very keen when selecting a chair for your office needs.
Do your research to figure out the best brand to go with. You can check online reviews or ask people who have used the chairs before to point you in the right direction.
One of the best manufacturers of ergonomic office chairs in the market right now is Flexispot. They have a wide range of options to choose from, and their chairs are made using high-grade materials and are built with great aesthetics. Consider checking their website for more information.
Conclusion
The importance of getting the right office chair cannot be stressed enough. There’s simply too much at stake, including your health, when it comes to office chairs. There are a number of other factors that you can use to narrow down your search. There are also a good number of well-known manufacturers who are making very decent office chairs. Take your time in your search to increase the chances of landing the one ergonomic chair that will meet all your needs.
