Not all ergonomic chairs are created equal. For that matter, not all chairs marketed as ergonomic are really ergonomic. Just because an office chair has a few adjustments or a comfortable seat cushion does not mean that it is ergonomic. Years of research have proven that sitting for extended periods of time in chairs that are not designed for extended use can actually endanger worker health and reduce worker productivity. The question is, how do you know if the chair you are using or want to buy is truly an ergonomic chair. How do you know what is marketing fluff or truly added value. There are a few characteristics of good ergonomic chairs that are essential.
These characteristics are only meant to be basic guidelines to follow in choosing an ergonomic chair. Many chairs will go above and beyond what is listed here. But, if the chair you are looking at does not have all of these essential features then it is not ergonomically sound. I have said this before and I’ll say it again, there are a lot of unscrupulous people out there that will market one thing and sell another. So, just because a chair is labeled ergonomic does not necessarily mean that it is.
Minimum Features That All “Ergonomic Office Chairs” Should Have
- A strong stable base. An essential feature of any chair, not just an ergonomic chair, is that it be safe. A strong base configured in five points will allow the user to sit and move in different positions without worrying about tipping over. The types of casters used on a chair are just as important as the strength of the base. If a chair is to be used on carpet the casters should be nylon. If the chair is to be used on a hard surface the casters should be soft wheel casters.
- Seat Height and Adjustability. Not all users are the same height and not all desks are the same height. It is essential for an ergonomic office chair to be easily adjustable to not only the users height but also the desk where it is being used. This is usually accomplished using a pneumatic / hydraulic piston at the chairs base that is controlled by a lever. A rule of thumb about seat height is that the chair should he high enough off the ground so that the user can sit comfortably with feet flat on the ground. This is usually means that the bottom of the seat pan is between 16 and 21 inches off the ground.
- The seat pan (where the user sits) should slope down slightly at the front. This allows for proper pelvis alignment. The dimensions of the set pan are also very important. A seat pan should be between 17 and 2o inches wide. This allows for a majority of body types to sit in the chair comfortably in different positions. The depth of the chair should allow the user to sit with their back comfortably against the back rest and leave a fists distance, or between 2 and 4 inches, between the front of the seat pan and the knees. This allows for essential space necessary for proper circulation in the legs.
- Proper back support is one of the most essential features of any ergonomic chair. There are two important parts to back support; lumbar support and the back rest. The Lumbar region of the lower back that curves inward. If the Lumbar is inadequately supported will lead to strains on the lower spin. The back rest of an ergonomic chair should allow for forward and backward angles.
- Just as it is important to be able to raise and lower the chair it is also important to be able raise and lower the armrests. Properly aligned armrests allow the arms to sit in a relaxed position placing the shoulders in a relaxed position. Armrests should be at least two inches and made of a soft material to provide a stable area for the forearms.
These are the essentials of any ergonomic office chair. If the chair you are looking at do not have these essential features then it is not truly an ergonomic chair. Remember these are the minimum characteristics of an ergonomic chair. Just because a chair has all of these characteristics does not make it a good ergonomic chair.
Essentials Of Ergonomic Chairs In Video
This first video outlines good ergonomic seating. It really does not discuss essentials of ergonomic chairs, but it does outline correct posture and why you want to avoid certain seated positions. It also emphasiszes several of the items we discxussed in this article.
This next video is essentially an interview done by Get Connected with an ergonomist at the Herman Miller office located in Vancouver, BC. It is a really good overview of some of the essential characteristics of an ergonomic chair.
