OK. So you've finally reached the time when you've decided to buy an adjustable ergonomic chair. But what do you need to look for? What features do you want and what features do you really need. Let's look at some of the features that are well worth considering. After all, your choice of adjustable chair is going to have an impact on your comfort level, work efficiency and last but by no means least it could affect your health - for better or for worse.
Sounds a bit like a marriage in a way, which I suppose is what it really is! Your new ergonomic chair will hopefully be a faithful companion and servant for many years to come.
I'm not sure I should have used the words marriage and servant in the same breath. Gulp!
First of all look for a chair that has been ergonomically designed with your health and comfort in mind. You should be able to adjust the seat height of your chair quickly and easily. The chair that you choose should offer a good height distance of adjustment. Make sure that you can adjust the seat height so that your feet are flat on the floor while your thighs are parallel to the floor. Most chairs these days use a pneumatic cylinder type mechanism to afford a smooth up and down movement.
The chair seat should also be adjustable from the point of being able to adjust the seat depth. Not every chair offers this facility but you need to be able to adjust the seat depth so that the backs of your calves are about 2 fingers width away from the seat's leading edge, while your back is snuggly nestled against the backrest.
The better class of adjustable chair offers the facility to adjust the armrest height and width. Make sure that you are able to adjust the height and width settings so that your elbows rest gently on the armrests with your elbows directly below your shoulders. The weights of your arms are then nicely supported, ensuring that there is no stress or strain on your neck, back or shoulders.
The armrest angle should also be cable of swift and easy adjustment. You will find that certain work is more comfortable with the armrests angled slightly inwards (keyboard work for example) and certain work better with them slightly out (mouse work for example).
A well designed, adjustable, office chair will be able to recline and the better chairs will be capable of forward tilt as well. The better designed chair will also have a tilt limiter incorporated into the design. This as the name suggests is to limit the degree of tilt in the chair. Within this tilt mechanism there should also be a tilt tension adjustment. The tilt tension creates some resistance while you tilt. With this resistance the movement feels more fluid and more under your control, instead of just quickly flipping back and giving you the fright of your life!
A very important feature to look for in your new, ergonomic chair is some sort of lumbar support mechanism. This is definitely one area where an ounce of prevention is definitely worth a pound of cure. The lumbar area; your lower back (I'm only guessing here but this is probably where the term lumbago came from - and by the way you definitely don't want any of that) can become problematic for you if you do not give it adequate support.
Each of us has a unique shape in this area of our body. Yours could be almost straight or even have a very pronounced curve. It's a bit like the arch of your foot; some people are flat-footed while others have a very high instep.
The better lumbar support mechanisms are capable of adjustment so that support is given to your back at the right height and importantly the right depth specifically for you.
An important thing to consider is the warranty period. Make sure that you are investing in an adjustable ergonomic chair that comes with a comprehensive warranty. A company that is confident of its chair's serviceability should have no problem in offering you a 10 year or more warranty period.
If you are eco aware, remember to check if the company operates from an earth-friendly stand point.
When you consider buying a bed you may often search long and hard, often paying a lot of money on your choice of bed. I think most of us are the same in this regard, well let's face it, if we're going to spend almost a third of our life in the bed we'd like to have a good one!
Thu Dec 09, 2010 10:34 pm