How to know if a chair is ergonomic? The “ergonomic chair” is a rather new idea that has been introduced to the market in the last few years. It is an office chair that is designed to prevent back and neck pain, as well as reduce work-related stress. As it turns out, some chairs may not be the best choice for your health, so let’s take a look at how you can tell if a chair is ergonomic. In this blog, we also have an article about office chair ergonomic reclining that you might want to read about it.
Ergonomics is a science, also known as human engineering or biotechnology. The discipline involves looking at how objects can be designed and/or arranged to best compliment easy and safe human interaction.”
What is Ergonomic Chair
Ergonomic chair is a chair that supports the human body while sitting and helps to prevent a number of diseases. The main purpose of ergonomic chair is to provide support to the lower back and the muscles. A chair can also be used for therapeutic purposes such as massage. A person sitting on an ergonomic chair will have better posture and reduce back pain. But it is not necessary to buy an expensive chair; you can use any ordinary chair at home. There are different types of chairs available in the market, which vary in price and quality. So before buying one, take into consideration your budget and requirements. Some of the common types of ergonomic chairs are:
Adjustable Office Chairs
These chairs are designed with adjustable features like height, tilt angle etc., so they can adjust according to the user’s needs. These types of chairs are suitable for office environments. It comes with extra features like footrests or armrests.
Ergo-Ease Lumbar Support Backless Bariatric Task Chair
This type of chair has lumbar support and back bar. They offer more comfort than regular chairs. You can easily get this chair online and even from local shops. There are many designs available online depending upon your preference. This ensures maximum comfort and ease.
Bariatric Chair
It is specially made for people who are obese. It provides proper support and stability when seated. All these things help to maintain good posture as well as relieve pressure from the spine. Most often it is found in health centers.
Typically office chairs are classified as ergonomic when they have an adjustable seat height, seat depth and lumbar support. This means that you should be able to adjust the height of the chair so that your legs are perpendicular to the floor and the seat pan should allow you to adjust it so that you’re able to sit comfortably.”
Rachel Howe, author from Officechairs.com
How To Know If A Chair Is Ergonomic
Here are features that good ergonomic should have. In first considering the “conventional” style of office chair, there are a number of things an ergonomic chair should have, including:
- Seat height. Office chair seat height should be easily adjustable. A pneumatic adjustment lever is the easiest way to do this. A seat height that ranges from about 16 to 21 inches off the floor should work for most people. This allows the user to have his or her feet flat on the floor, with thighs horizontal and arms even with the height of the desk.
- Seat width and depth. The seat should have enough width and depth to support any user comfortably. Usually 17-20 inches wide is the standard. The depth (from front to back of the seat) needs to be enough so that the user can sit with his or her back against the backrest of the ergonomic office chair while leaving approximately 2 to 4 inches between the back of the knees and the seat of the chair. The forward or backward tilt of the seat should be adjustable.
- Lumbar support. Lower back support in an ergonomic chair is very important. The lumbar spine has an inward curve, and sitting for long periods without support for this curve tends to lead to slouching (which flattens the natural curve) and strains the structures in the lower spine. An ergonomic chair should have a lumbar adjustment (both height and depth) so each user can get the proper fit to support the inward curve of the lower back.Backrest. The backrest of an ergonomic office chair should be 12 to 19 inches wide. If the backrest is separate from the seat, it should be adjustable in height and angle. It should be able to support the natural curve of the spine, again with special attention paid to proper support of the lumbar region. If the office chair has the seat and backrest together as one piece, the backrest should be adjustable in forward and back angles, with a locking mechanism to secure it from going too far backward once the user has determined the appropriate angle.
- Seat material. The material on the office chair seat and back should have enough padding to be comfortable to sit on for extended periods of time. Having a cloth fabric that breathes is preferable to a harder surface.
- Armrests. Office chair armrests should be adjustable. They should allow the user’s arms to rest comfortably and shoulders to be relaxed. The elbows and lower arms should rest lightly, and the forearm should not be on the armrest while typing.
- Swivel. Any conventional style or ergonomic chair should easily rotate so the user can reach different areas of his or her desk without straining.
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