subject: Fundamentals For A Good Office Chair [print this page] With modern technology comes the necessity to spend many hours sitting at a desk in a chair usually that is just not comfortable. This type of lifestyle means we are unfit and storing up health problems for the future. A bad office chair simple adds to the unfit lifestyle with ailments such as stiff necks, bad posture and back strain just some of the things to cause problems.
Buying a car and buying an office chair may seem worlds apart, yet the principles are the same. You spend long periods of time in both yet you take the potential car you want to purchase for a test drive however most don't do the same with a potential office chair purchase, to their detriment.
Below are guidelines that can help you select the right office chair, therefore reducing body aches, stiffness, and pains.
Back support Back support is one of the major requirements of your new chair. This support should be constant no matter what movement you make in the chair and fit properly to your back at all times. Life long back problems can stem from poor back support but with the right office chair supporting you back pain and stiffness can be a thing of the past.
Seating A straight horizontal seat will restrict circulation on the back of your knees therefore it is important to choose a front rounded edge seat as part of your decision making. A easy way to test to ensure your circulation isn't jeopardized is to run your fingers between your legs and the front of the seat, if you can't, then your circulation is at risk.
Width of the seat and armrests You need to fit into the chair. If you have to squeeze into the chair then it does not fit, no matter how comfortable it may seem once you are seated. There should be room between the armrests and your body. In addition, the armrests need to interact with the desk. A good office chair will have adjustable armrests. What good are armrests if they are not usable or uncomfortable to use. Quality armrests can help with tasks like reading and writing, and taking pressure and tension off the neck and shoulders.
Height Adjustments People are not all the same height; therefore, your office chair must have a height adjustment. The specifications to adjust your office chair and to promote good posture are as follows: thighs should be horizontal to the ground while both feet are on the ground and wrists should be straight while typing. If you cannot find an office chair height that allows both of the above, you may want to find a way to alter the height of your keyboard so that you can have straight wrists while typing and your body is aligned properly with the chair and the floor.
Stability We all like to recline in our chair however it is important that you seek out a solid stable office chair. Ideally it should have a 5 point base and wheels that swivel to avoid the risks of flipping over and causing serious harm.
Ticking off all the above points in your list for an office chair next time you head off to buy one will ensure good posture and less chance of pains and aches in the future.
