There are many different types of ergonomic office chairs available on the market. Multiply that by the number of manufactures making these chairs and you get a dizzying array of possible choices. All ergonomic chairs try to accomplish one basic goal, promote good posture. More refined ergonomic office chairs go beyond just promoting good posture and are designed to actually mitigate the negative side affects associated with sitting in one position for extended periods of time doing repetitive tasks.. Many of these chairs are also designed to promote pressure distribution, heat reduction, pelvis alignment, lumbar support, and many other more subtle, yet important, aspects of ergonomics. Each type of ergonomic chair has distinct goals and perspectives on ergonomics and how to accomplish good ergonomics.
Not all ergonomic chairs are created equal. Some manufacturers add a few ergonomic aspects to their chair and call it an ergonomic chair when it is not truly an ergonomic chair. Although, many of these chairs are designed for specific functions and purposes, they to a certain extent can be interchangeable. A good chair designed with strong ergonomic principles will pass on benefits no matter what task you are using it for.
Ergonomic Office Chair & Ergonomic Work Chair
Terms like “ergonomic office chair” and “ergonomic work chair” are very general in scope and meaning. In reality these terms cover just about every chair type in an office. Often the term “ergonomic office chair” is used to describe “ergonomic desk chair” and the term “ergonomic work chair” is used instead of the term “ergonomic task chair.” Not knowing this can make some ergonomic terminology confusing. When I first started researching ergonomic chairs not understanding this led to a bit of confusion on my part. It seems that if marketing managers think it will sell more chairs they’ll create a new term
Ergonomic Desk Chair
Ergonomic desk chairs are designed to be used by workers sitting for long periods at desks and / or using computers. They are designed to following basic ergonomic principles. For instance, ergonomic desk chairs have pneumatic chair lifts o that a user can adjust the chair to different desk sizes. Arm rests are standard and often are adjustable to match keyboard height allowing the shoulders to be at a resting state. They usually are designed with back and lumbar support.
Ergonomic desk chairs are design to help the sitter maintain good posture while doing repetitive tasks or looking at a computer screen. These types of chairs are also designed to allow a sitter to easily and effortlessly swivel and move the chair to access anything with a 120 degree radius of their desk. This reduces repetitive stress on the lower back.
Ergonomic Executive Chair
There really is no such thing. Ergonomic executive chairs are essentially ergonomic desk chairs in fancy clothes. There usually is not much of a difference between these two types of chairs. There will almost always be a version of an ergonomic executive chair without the bells and whistles. Ergonomic chairs are expensive enough, and are made to last, so unless you really want the shiney base and leather, you should look at the cheaper alternative. Many retailers will add a few hundred extra dollars to a chair just because they are tagging it with the word executive.
Ergonomic Task Chair
Ergonomic task chairs are unique in that they are the most widely used ergonomic office chair. Ergonomic task chairs are normally used for situations where the task is of short duration. When these chairs are actually used for “tasks” they usually do not have arm rests. But, because these chairs are often cheaper they are often used as a desk chair. In these situations arm rests are usually present. Ergonomic task chairs usually have the same standard characteristics. What they are usually lacking are lumbar support and backing that promotes relaxed sitting for long durations.
Task chairs are normally characterized by low and mid back height and normally have hard cushioned seat pans. Although these chairs are not meant for long duration use they are often used as alternates to other more expensive ergonomic chairs.
Ergonomic Computer Chair
True ergonomic computer chairs are rare. These are specialized ergonomic chairs that realistically cannot be used in any other situation but for long term computer use. A true ergonomic computer chair is characterized with lounge style seating and elevated legs. This position promotes eye level alignment with computer monitors. More often than not, because of their specialized nature, an ergonomic desk chair is used instead of an ergonomic computer chair. Ergonomic computer chair designs are getting really surreal and futuristic. I think I would feel really uncomfortable if I was the only person i the office using one of these things. These types of ergonomic computer chairs are often called gaming chairs.
Ergonomic Stool
An ergonomic stool is characterized by an elongated base. These types of ergonomic chairs are used as drafting chairs or lab chairs. In general, ergonomic stools are used by any workers that use elevated work surfaces. Often these are used for specialized tasks in hospitals, labs, etc. Ergonomic stools are generally designed like there ergonomic desk chair counterparts, except are higher off the groumd.
However, there are a few ergonomic stool designs that include a saddle style seat. This is a unique design, so much so that these chairs are called ergonomic saddle chairs.
Ergonomic Ball Chair
Ball chairs have been around for a few years. Obviously, it is an alternative chair type and as such is not as popular as ergonomic office chairs following traditional design models. Originally, the value of the ball chair was that the person using it had to maintain a correct posture in order to balance on the ball itself. Moreover, by the very nature of it being a ball leg movement was encouraged as a balancing mechanism. This slight leg movement promoted circulation in the legs. Blood circulation in the legs is, for obvious reasons, one of the most difficult things to promote in a seated position. The nature of a ball chair being more elastic surface to sit on it also promoted pressure distribution.
Ergonomic ball chairs have evolved to include a more “chair like” frame. Some of this evolution was due to a need to try and make it a more acceptable office chair. However, including a frame with this type of ergonomic chair removes many of the positive aspects. A ball chair with a frame still promotes good posture and pressure distribution but not to the same extent as a ball chair without a frame. Moreover, because the frame adds more stability to the chair there is less need for leg movement. The reduced leg movement reduces the inherent promotion of leg circulation. Moreover, there is a lot less movement necessary to keep this style ball chair balanced, so there is a lot less physical return from using it. You rarely see this used as an ergonomic office chair anymore.
Kneeling Ergonomic Chair
Of all the alternatives to the traditional chair designs the kneeling chair is by far the best. Kneeling chairs encourages good posture and good pelvic alignment. It also reduces spinal compression by distributing sitting pressure between the pelvis and the knees. This makes for a relaxed and stress free sitting that feels very comfortable and natural. Although, to look at the kneeling chair you cannot tell, it is a surprisingly comfortable chair to sit in. The position almost seems natural.
Saddle Ergonomic Chair
The inherent value in an ergonomic saddle chair is that it promotes stability of posture by allowing the legs of the user to be positioned more naturally. Moreover, because there is not a back to the chair the user tends to slouch less, thus they are more likely keep their pelvis more properly aligned. Although this chair can be used as a desk or computer chair, its real value is for people that are doing short tasks and lower than normal height; for instance doctors and dentists. A saddle chair promotes proper posture without a back rest. Any chair that does not have a back rest will promote strengthening of the stomach muscles and therefore strengthening of the lower back. But, I am not sure about calling them ergonomic chairs. I would definitely not use it as an ergonomic office chair. It it definitely better suited for very short tasks of just a few minutes.
In Closing
There are tremendous varieties in the types of ergonomic office chairs that are available to workers. No matter the type of work you do. No matter the type of area or surface you work in there is a type of ergonomic chair to suite your needs. In choosing the one that is right for you want you need to take into account what you need from a chair, the type of work you are doing and, in some cases, your own health. Ergonomic office chairs are designed to reduce wear on the body due to extended periods of seating, so you need to choose the one that is right for you.
