Your Guide To Finding The Right Ergonomic Chair

With so many people working from home these days, we’ve noticed more and more patients asking us about what kind of chair they should have in their home office.

Unfortunately, we have a lot of people who come in because they didn't choose the right chair. The truth is that the chair they sit in for hours on end every day is doing them a lot of harm.

We know that standing desks are great. Most people know about the health benefits of standing desks. But let's be honest: Who can stand for eight hours a day?

What does your sitting situation looking like these days? Does your chair help improve your posture or is it hurting you?

For you to sit properly and align your spine all day, you need an ergonomically correct chair.

‘Ergonomically Correct’ sounds like a mouthful. It also sounds expensive. The good news is that it’s not. Although, we must say that whatever the cost, your spine is worth the investment, whatever the price is.

An ergonomic chair is built to provide optimal support for a person's back, weight, and posture. You want to be as comfortable as possible when avoiding back pain or long-term injury.

The right chair is essential for the remote worker with a home office or the 9-to-5 worker who spends most of their office hours sitting.

Ergonomic chairs are designed with general specifications in mind that ought to support the person sitting on them. One just has to find one tailored to their specific needs.

How Are You Sitting?

You likely haven't thought about that much. Most people don't have time to think about how they are sitting. 

In this post, we've got a simple guide to picking the right ergonomic chair for your home workstation. So, before you get that trendy egg chair with the velvet blanket draped over it, consider these points to find out what you actually need in a chair.

Here's an image about how to sit correctly at your workstation.

Does your current setup allow this?

You'll need the right ergonomic chair to get the right setup at home. When making your decision, keep the following three factors in mind:

1. Watch for the right lumbar support.

Stretching after a long day of work feels satisfying. Unfortunately, that satisfying crackle is your spine revolting against the discomfort of the day. The spine is curved inward and sitting for too long results in slouching, which slumps the spine even more.

An ergonomic chair must have lumbar adjustment so it fits your lower back – curves and all. This also translates to the backrest.

A backrest that is about 12 to 19 inches wide will suffice. It must support the curve of the spine and be adjustable.

2. Consider the seat dimensions.

This is also another critical consideration when selecting an ergonomic chair. You can't just look at a seat in your mind and decide whether or not it's right for you. Before making a decision, find out the specifics.

On that note, here’s what you must consider:

Seat height

Find an ergonomic chair that allows you to plant your feet against the floor when sitting. Also, your thighs should not be raised or angled. It should be horizontally placed on the seats. While sitting, your arms should be at equal height with the desk’s surface.

A height of 16 to 21 inches usually satisfies these criteria for most people. Of course, it must be adjustable. A quick and easy way to adjust the seats to the specified height range is with an Adjustment Lever. Be on the lookout for a chair with this feature.

Seat width 

An ergonomic office chair should be wide enough and have the correct depth (the distance from the front of the seat to the back) to support the user comfortably. A width of 17 to 20 inches works great.

There should always be a space of about 2 to 4 inches between the back of the knees and the seat when you sit with your back against the backrest.

You have a better chance of doing it if you have an adjustable chair. Simply change the chair's forward or backward tilt until you achieve the desired result.

3. Find one that is comfortable for you.

No matter what the reviews say, you need a chair that you like personally. You may need to go out and try a few for yourself.

You don’t want to settle for a chair you don’t like. Sitting for an extended period isn’t as comfortable as you might think. Not even for the laziest cat would tolerate this. Other than standing up regularly, a great way to ensure you’re comfortable for as long as possible is to go for a chair that checks all the boxes for comfort.

The Best Ergonomic Chair Checklist

1. Adjustable Armrests

As you type at your keyboard, your elbows and arms should have a place to rest. Your shoulders will also be relaxed as a result of this.

Pro-tip: Avoid keeping your forearm on the armrest while typing.

2. A Swivel

Beyond being lots of fun for the kids when they visit your office, a chair that rotates or rolls around easily saves you the stress of straining unnecessarily when you need to retrieve something from different areas of your desk.

3. Comfortable Padding

You shouldn’t feel like you’re sitting on a rock when you’re at work. You’re probably under enough pressure as it is. Different options abound here such as memory cushions or gel cushions and lots more. It should be thick and comfortable.

Also, fabric matters. Go for breathable material. Avoid something that will make you sweat or slide from your seats.

An Ergonomic Chair Matters

Here are some of the most important reasons why you need a chair that works for your back and helps your long-term health.

The right chair:

1. Prevents back pain.
2. Reduces discomfort and fatigue at work.
3. Adds to your productivity levels, thereby, promoting a more positive work experience.

We need to sit up straight, just as our mothers always taught us. When you're sitting in your chair at home for long periods of time, it's more important than ever.

Let the above guide you in choosing your office chair. Your back and the rest of your body will thank you.