AbiliTech

Ergonomic Office Chairs: Features to Look For in a Supportive Chair

You’re a hard worker, right? And as a diligent member of the work force, you deserve a chair that’s ready and able to support your body while you toil at the daily grind. Having a well-designed chair is about a lot more than your personal comfort. In fact, medical studies have shown that men and women who sit for prolonged periods of time in unsupportive office chairs experience a much higher proportion of back problems, back pain and muscle strain than those who use a chair that is ergonomically designed to support the spine and relieve pressure on the legs and other areas of the body.

When choosing an ergonomically designed chair, there are certain characteristics to look for. First, does the chair offer an adjustable height mechanism? Depending upon the height of your work surface and the type of work you’re doing — for instance, staring at a computer screen or writing or reviewing materials — your chair should be at a height that supports your arms, as well as your back, and is adjusted properly so that you can view your computer screen without unintentionally leaning forward or to one side. It’s important to have a chair that’s capable of a wide-ranging extension of height to serve all your needs.

The Boss Contour Comfort Drafting Chair is a good example of full height adjustability. The pneumatic height adjust system means height can be adjusted easily with the touch of your hand, and of course, the option of fabric color is always a good thing in a small office space, where a burst of color can help lighten your mood. The Office Star VeraFlex Deluxe Chair is another example of height adjustability, and helps alleviate the potential for arm and shoulder strain while using a computer for prolonged periods of time. Like the Boss Contour Chair above, the Office Star is also offered in a selection of more muted colors.

The second consideration when choosing an ergonomically designed office chair is the quality of the Lumbar Support. Your lumbar spine consists of the vertebrae of the Lower Back, and receives much of the strain that occurs from long periods of sitting. Providing adequate support here can go a long way in eliminating back strain and pain. The Boss Leather Ergonomic Executive Office Chair offers a built-in Lumbar Support with a full, padded back for added comfort. The design is ideal for more traditional spaces. The Boss Deluxe Highback Executive Contemporary Chair is another great example of lumbar support presented in a stylish package, and features an extra layer of padding for additional softness and support.

For smaller or more contemporary spaces, choose a chair like the Boss EXO Contemporary Computer Task Chair, designed with contours that reflect the shape of the human body to provide the ultimate in spine support. This chair also features a tilt function to ensure you remain supported while in front of the computer.

If your office has the space, consider using a more traditional chair at your desk and a chair specifically designed for computer use at your workstation. The Office Star Matrex Mid-Back Manager’s Chair is a good choice, offering a padded seat and lumbar support.

Although a mesh back is not an essential element of an ergonomically designed office chair, if leather chairs make you perspire or your office experiences shifts in temperature, the extra airflow provided by a mesh back design can go a long way toward keeping you cool and comfortable. When an individual’s back becomes too warm as a result of the chair they’re using, the result is to lean forward to allow air to flow between the back and the chair to provide cooling. But by leaning forward, you miss the supportive protection offered by a built-in lumbar feature. Chairs that offer mesh eliminate the need to lean, and are a good choice when combined with a lumbar support and an adjustable height mechanism.

The Office Star Air Grid Back Managers Chair is a great example of a desk chair that offers all three elements: height adjustability, lumbar support and a mesh back, as well as a padded seat for comfort. If you’re looking for a task chair with a mesh back feature, consider the Office Star Professional Air Grid Deluxe Task Chair. This chair also offers adjustable height, lumbar support and a mesh back, as well as tilt control for ease of use at a computer workstation. The Boss Mesh back task Chair offers similar features, but in a smaller profile.

No matter what type of business you’re in, the more comfortable you are, the more you’re able to focus. Investing in a supportive, quality chair can make you happier and more productive at work. And for those of you who may not be the most diligent workers, these chairs also offer premium support for those all-important midday naps at your desk.

About the Author

Karen Zabel is a freelance writer who writes about office chairs.

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