Tips On How To Choose The Right Office Chairs

A larger part of the adult lives of most people is spent in the office. This includes having to sit for a number of hours every day. This necessary sedentary lifestyle causes our body a lot of problems including back pain, shoulder pain, neck pain, etc. Since sitting for long hours is inevitable, then all efforts have to be made to solve the accompanying problems. A key part of this solution is down to the choice of office chairs.

There are diverse kinds of office chairs, many of which are not the best fit for solving body problems associated with a long period of sitting. An obvious feature, besides the aesthetics factor, considered when getting chairs for office use is comfortability. Other key features include adjustability and back support. There are several key tips that will help you get the right office chairs and they include:

• Full Back: there is definitely no better way to start than this. According to this article, an average American sits for at least 5 hours daily in the office therefore it is pertinent to be as comfortable as possible to ensure maximum productivity. When choosing office chairs, go for ones with a full back in order to provide support for the back and reduce the stress placed on the spine hence ensuring comfortability. Comfortable back support is very important given the high rate of back pain among adults.

(Image source: Järvfjälle gaming chair from Ikea)

• Waterfall seats: seat pan is a key part of office chairs and it comes in diverse designs. The best office chairs are designed with a waterfall front seat pan that is the front of the seat pan curves downward. This design ensures the knee is placed in the right angle when seated.
   
• Contoured and soft seat pan: Besides the waterfall front feature needed in the seat pan, it should also be soft and contoured. The contour will allow even distribution of the body weight and the softness will ensure the thigh and buttocks are not compressed.

(Image source: Soft Pad Chairs EA 217/219 from Vitra)

• 90 degrees angles for joints: another key factor that determines whether an office chair is right or not is the angle of the body joints. If joints such as hips, knees, and ankles are not comfortably positioned at 90 degrees then the chair is not the right fit. Usually, it could mean the chair is either too short or too tall for you.
   
• Breathable upholstery: the right office chairs must be made with materials that allow optimum circulation of air to avoid overheating, abrasiveness, or itching. The best office chairs are designed with net material, at least in the back region, hence taking out any problem that could accompany overheating.

(Image Source: Cosm Chair from Design Within Reach)

• Adjustability: This is one of the first things I check when acquiring office chairs; it is not negotiable for me and should not be for anyone. Best office chairs are designed to be adjustable in all directions – users will be able to adjust postures either by up/down movement of the seat or side to side movement. Also, the adjustment should be so easy that no tools are required. Ask for a demonstration and try it yourself when acquiring the chairs.
   
• Perfect for arms and shoulders: an office chair that requires you to shrug your shoulders before your elbows can sit on the armrest is not the right one. The right chair will offer the flexibility of the shoulder and arm in a manner to avoid any potential pain in the shoulder and arm.
   
• Narrow your options: with all the features highlighted above, your search for the right office chair will be easier. Take any chair that does not offer proper lumbar support, adjustability, as well as comfort and breathability off your list. You will definitely be left with not too many to pick from.
   
• Carry necessary users along: if you are purchasing the chairs for your employees, it is vital to carry them along. Once you have shortlisted the chairs you consider right, get the feedback of your employees. Since they will be the ones using, ask what they think of the chairs on the list and get the one they would choose with reasons. This feedback will enhance your final decision regarding the right chairs for your office.

Conclusion

Getting the right office chairs cannot be overemphasized as the failure to do so have far-reaching consequences than imaginable. Wrong chairs will cause users all sorts of body pain including back, shoulder, and neck pain thereby putting the health of the users on the line. This ultimately compromises their productivity and eventually tells on the revenue. Follow the tips above and you will get the right chairs for you and your employees.