Key Qualities Of A Good Office Chair

A lot of people these days spend much of their time sitting in an office or in front of a computer at home. This has resulted in an increase in medical conditions associated with poor posture and repetitive movements. Some of these conditions consist of back and neck pain, as well as carpal tunnel syndrome. Choosing a good office chair will make it easier to prevent most of these issues. Specially designed ergonomic chairs are your best option for comfortable, supportive seating. But any well built chair with appropriate adjustments and options can be entirely acceptable for the majority of people. Here are the features you will want to look for in an office chair.

1. Backrest adjustment levers can help you find the right position to prevent aches and pains when you sit a lot. There are normally three settings you can adjust. Backrest height makes it easier to find the best position to support the lumbar region of the lower back. Backrest tilt lets you try various angles to provide comfort while still supporting the lower back. You can make your chair somewhat deeper if you wish with the horizontal backrest lever, which adjusts the chair sideways.

2. It’s important that you be able to adjust the height of the chair. Typically, an office chair will have a pneumatic lever to enable you to adjust the chair’s height while you’re sitting. At the right height, your feet should be flat on the floor with your thighs parallel to the floor.

3. The seat pan of your chair should have a rounded edge at the front. This will prevent uncomfortable pressure at the back of the legs or behind the knees. There needs to be sufficient room between the front of the chair and the back of the knees, about the size of a clenched fist. This helps keep the circulation going in your legs. The seat pan should be able to tilt so you can get the best angle to alleviate pressure on your thighs. Ensure that the fabric is resilient and can breathe.

4. If you choose a chair with armrests, they should be adjusted so they don’t get in your way. Armrests aren’t always needed for keyboard use, but they’re very useful if you use a mouse quite a bit. Look for those with adjustable height and width, as well as sufficient padding.

5. Another important factor is stability. A good office chair will feature a base with five prongs. Chairs with four prongs are less stable and prone to tipping when the user leans in any direction.

These days, many people spend long hours seated at a computer, either for work or for pleasure. The problem is, if you don’t have a good ergonomic desk chair, chances are good you’ll develop problems with your back, muscles and joints. Learn about the benefits of products such as an ergonomic mesh desk chair that can prevent health problems down the road.

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Filed under ergonomics by Kristine Bell on Aug 9th, 2010.

Key Qualities Of A Good Office Chair

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