Most office workers spend the majority of their days in their office chair. Even the most comfortable of chairs adds stress to the spine. In order to avoid back problems or repetitive motion injury it is important to get a chair that is not only comfortable, but fits your body. This is even more important when picking out an office chair for a big and tall person.
An ergonomic chair is going to support the back and help good posture. With so much attention being placed on ergonomics there are now many types of ergonomic chairs available for big and tall people. There isn't one office chair that is the best, but there are some important things to look for in a good ergonomic big and tall office chairs.
For a big and tall person having adjustable options in an office chair is even more important. A chair should be able to adjust to fit your needs and not the other way around. A good ergonomic chair should have features like the following;
Seat height. A big and tall office chair should have an easily adjustable seat height. What is best for the body is to have your feet flat on the floor with your thighs horizontal to the desk. The average person ranges from 16 to 21 inches, but a big and tall person might need more space than this. It is important to know your measurement.
Seat width and depth. The average person needs a width of 17 to 20 inches, but again this could differ for a big and larger person. It is important to know how much space you will need to be comfortable with the base of your office chair. Ideally you should be able to sit with your back against the backrest leaving 2 to 4 inches between the back of the knees and the seat of the chair.
Lumbar support. Having the lower back supported is very important. There is an inward curve to the lumbar spine that needs support when sitting for long periods of time. The best big and tall chair should have lumbar adjustment to get the best fit for the lower back.
Backrest. The average backrest is 12 to 19 inches wide. This is another area where a bit and tall person needs to know their measurements for an office chair. The backrest should support the natural curve of the spine. Ideally the seat will be adjustable for both forward and backward movement.
Seat material. The importance of padding and fabric is often overlooked. Cloth or breathable materials are better for comfort and the amount of padding should also be closely looked at.