Your Office Chair Has A lot to Answer For.

Is your office chair the culprit in making you uncomfortable at work?  

 

Office workers sit a remarkable number of hours each day with little thought given, in most cases, to how their chair fits them and their desk.  An ill-fitting chair may cause straining or slouching that creates a poor posture situation.  Ergonomically fitting your work space, specifically your chair, can significantly reduce the discomfort you feel each day. 

 The first order of business then is to assess whether or not your chair is performing optimally for you. 

When choosing your chair, there are many factors to consider.  Below is a list and short synopsis of things that make a difference in comfort for traditional office chairs.

1.      Seat height.  Choose a chair that is easy to adjust as you are sitting in it.  The seat height should be 16”-21”.  Be sure that the seat height allows you to place your feet flat on the floor.  If your feet are not able to sit flat on the floor, consider using a foot rest.

2.      Seat width and depth.  A good seat width is 17”-20”.  To see what width is good for you, sit with your back against the chair and note if there is at least 2”-4” between the back of your knees and the edge of the seat.  You’ll also want to look for a chair that has a seat edge that cascades toward the floor.

3.      Lumbar support.  The lumbar spine has an inward curve.  Sitting for a long time with no support can lead to slouching which flattens the curve and puts strain on the spine structure.  Your office chair should have a back rest that is between 12”-19” wide and be adjustable.

4.      Material padding.  While an executive, leather office chair sounds very luxurious, it may not be the best option for you.  Cloth tends to breathe better and is usually more comfortable.  You’ll also want to be sure your chair has an adequate amount of padding for comfort.

5.      Armrests.  Armrests should be adjusted so that your shoulders rest comfortably in a relaxed manner.  The perfect adjustment allows elbows and lower arms to rest lightly while the forearm is not on the rest while typing.  Some chairs come with short armrests that make it easier to get close to your work.

6.      Swivel.  The office chair should rotate easily so you are able to reach other areas of the desk without straining.

Just owning an ergonomic chair is not enough.  Adjusting it to fit you and your needs is as important as the chair itself.  Our office furniture staff members are experts in fitting chairs to our customer’s ergonomic needs. 

No matter what chair you have, remember to take short breaks.  Getting up encourages stronger posture, relieves strain on the eyes, and reduces fatigue.

Other helpful tidbits include moving desk items closer to you so you reduce reaching and straining.  By simply adjusting your most used desk items so they are easily within reach reduces the daily wear and tear on your body.