Desk Chair Buying Guide

DESK CHAIR BUYING GUIDE Picking the Perfect Office Chair Office chairs are a part of the décor of any office and so many people try to make sure they look good. The design or ergonomics of the chair should be considered above everything else. In order to position yourself correctly in your office chair and avoid back pain either now or in the future, here are the important things to consider. ADJUSTABILITY Important features that should be adjustable include: RECLINE-ABILITY Reclining reduces the pressure on your spine and sitting bones. Reclining chair allows you to reach your keyboard without straining your eyes, shoulders or arm. COMFORTABLE SEAT One of basic things you need is a comfortable place to sit; a proper office chair with a cushion is going to keep you much more comfortable. An adjustable seat depth lets you slide the seat backward or forward to suit your leg length. CHAIR HEIGHT Feet should be flat on the floor/ on a foot rest. Thighs should be parallel to the ground. Forearms should be parallel to the work surface. ARMRESTS Proper placement support while resting/working. Shoulders should not be hunched. Forearms need to be parallel to the floor when your typing or using mouse. ADJUSTABLE LUMBAR SUPPORT A good office chair will have support for the lower back. Some of the better ones will have adjustable lumbar support that allows the user to fit the chair to their lower back. This is important in preventing back strain that can worsen and become sciatica, a condition which can be debilitating. The ability to move and sit increase blood flow to the brain. FABRIC/MESH The fabric should be breathable to keep the chair from becoming hot and uncomfortable after hours of sitting in it. The most advanced office chairs on the market today often used special materials that not only improve breathability but also help to regulate your body temperature and designed to distribute your weight evenly, so you sit more comfortably all day long. МOBILITY If you sit at the middle of your desk and have to reach to be able to touch the furthest corner, you need a chair with wheels. Chairs should allow you free movement in your work space. A chair with wheels or a swiveling seat may be best. Invest in a chair with a well-built wheelbase that easily glides over the floor's surface. BAD OFFICE CHAIRS COST Dame Sally Davies, England's Chief Medical Officer, revealed that in 2015 more than 23 million working days in the UK were lost due to office-related ill health, with absentees estimated to cost the economy a staggering £100 billion per annum. Sitting all day in a poor posture can increase the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, as well as creating tension in our backs. Among the issues highlighted were the 553,000 cases of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. WHY IS A GOOD CHAIR IMPORTANT? A good, supportive office chair prevents fatigue and discomfort that can come from siting in the same chair for hours on end. Studies have shown that comfortable employees are more productive and contribute to a more positive work environment than uncomfortable employees. A WELL-DESIGNED, COMFORTABLE SEATING OPTION IS ESSENTIAL, BOTH FOR IMPROVING POSTURE AND PERFORMANCE, NOT TO MENTION KEEPINGA BAD BACK AND OTHER TYPES OF PAIN SUCH AS NECK ACHE. ADJUSTMENT TIPS FOR A GOOD FIT 1. Proper Seat Height 5. Head Rest When you sit upright in the chair, your feet should rest flat on the floor. Your thighs should have a 90-degree angle to your calves. Not necessary but if you have one, it should touch the base of your head comfortably. 4. Adjustable Armrests Your elbows should be 2. Right Seat Depth supported, but they must never be higher than when You should be able to fit 2 to your arms are bent and at 3 fingers between the back rest naturally. of your knees and the edge of the chair. 3. Adjustable Back Rest Lumbar support should flow naturally with the curvature of the back. Play with the adjuster and test what setting you like most. Resources: http://www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/house-garden/furniture/best-ergonomic-office-chairs-for-back-n eck-shoulder-pain-fibromyalgia-tall-short-person-9779862.html http://lifehacker.com/what-to-look-for-in-an-ergonomic-office-chair-509059932 https://www.gentlemansgazette.com/desk-chair-office-guide/ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/connect/small-business/scaling-up/staples/how-bad-office-chairs-cost-uk-plc/ https://gearpatrol.com/2009/07/14/the-definitive-guide-to-choosing-an-office-chair/ Officefurniture.e www.officefurnitureonline.co.uk