Sitting for a long time can hurt your productivity and general health. Doesn’t matter whether you’re in a busy office or a quiet home office. An office chair for long sitting is what you need.
So, here are the 3 features of your perfect office chair :
I. Adequate Lumbar Support
II. Adjustable Features
III. Cushioning
Now these are the 3 things you should be looking for when you start to scout for office chairs along with your other office furniture
Let me detail these.
I. Adequate Lumbar Support
When you sit for a long time, the vertebrae in your lower back (called lumbar vertebrae) are more likely to get twisted and hurt.
Features of Lumbar Support You should be looking:
Height and Depth Adjustability
An important feature for lumbar support is the ability to adjust both the height and depth of the support mechanism or pad.
This lets you modify the chair’s lumbar support according to your height and choice. This helps proper alignment and would reduce strain on your lower back.
High-Density Foam Padding
Make sure that this padding is made of high-density foam. The foam should be strong and flexible. The foam should not weaken or change its shape when used every day.
This type of padding ensures smooth weight distribution. It also lessens pressure points and adds comfort. A must for an office chair for long sitting.
Adjustable Lumbar Support Pad
This movable lumbar support pad can be adjusted up and down. This lets you put the pad on a level where you’d feel your lower back is most relaxed. The pad should have some firmness and a bit flexible.
You should check the size of the pad and whether it matches the natural curve of your spine. Some would argue that this is not needed as a soft pillow, or some light pads would serve just the same.
But if you look at it, these pillows and light pads which you can easily buy online, don’t stay firm supporting your back.
They could simply slide down. And what happens is that you could end up pulling it up every now and then.
Inflatable Lumbar Support
Some chairs have an inflatable cushion that allows users to adjust the level of lumbar support. I’ve seen one offered as a back care solution.
This works by inflating or deflating the cushion. You can find what level of comfort and support you would want for your lower back.
II. Adjustable Features
Adjustable Seat Height
If the chair has this feature, the height of the seat can be raised or lowered easily. The seat height of a standard office chair may play from 16 to 21 inches. This is equivalent to 40-53 centimeters.
But some people, when seated, would like their knees to be a little higher than their hips.
Yes, studies have shown that this is the most relaxing way to take a break while seated. There’s an article about that at webmd.
And yes, I also personally experienced that. I feel more comfortable when knees are a bit higher than the hips.
Well, whatever.
Usually, a handle under the seat is used to change the height. This holder will make it sure that you can put your feet flat on the floor. This helps you sit up straight and takes pressure off your legs and lower back.
Seat Sliders
This feature gives your legs the best support possible and keeps a small space between the edge of the seat and the back of your knees.
Seat sliders gives your seat a horizontal movement. To do this, just pull it out and push it back in. If you move the seat too far out, it could hit you in the back of the knees.
From what I’ve seen, two to three inches from the back of your knees would be just right. These sliders let you change the depth of the seat to fit different leg lengths.
Adjustable Armrest
Adjustable armrests give good arm and shoulder support. Move the armrest by changing the height and horizontal distance. Also, you can easily change how far apart the left and right armrests are.
You can also change the angle of the armrests to fit how you work. When your arms and hands are in a horizontal position, it would be easier for you to type and use the computer table. Your arms and shoulders will feel less tight.
Tilt Mechanism
Many types of tilt mechanisms are available today. There is this what they call the Synchronized Tilt Mechanism.
This type lets the chair and seat move separately from each other. The way this thingy works is that as you lean back, the backrest and seat move together to keep your position the same.
There’s the Single-Point Tilt System, which I would not suggest. The tilt mechanisms on these chairs are tilted simply. If you lean back, they may press on your legs, making you feel uncomfortable.
Knee-Tilt Mechanism. With this design, you can lean back further and keep your feet flat. This helps when you have to lean back more but still need your feet to be supported.
Forward Glide Tilt Mechanism. The seat pan tilts down as the backrest leans back. Well, a seat pan is the flat surface area of the chair you sit on.
With this type of mechanism. You can move your weight forward, use you core muscles, and sit up straight. This is very helpful especially for people with lower back pain.
Most of the high-end executive office chairs have these tilt mechanisms.
Adjustable Headrest Height
Very helpful when you lean back and let your neck rest. When you change its height and angle, it lets you get the right support for your neck and head.
This is adjustable so you can move it, adjust it, to make sure that it fits the natural curve of your neck. This reduces pressure in your neck and makes longer sitting even more comfortable.
III. Cushioning
Seat Cushion
The seat cushion ensures even distribution of pressure in your body. Go for a cushion manufactured from high-quality foam or a combination of firm and soft padding. This type of cushion provides a solid support for your buttocks and legs.
Foam Density
The foam density used in seat cushions determines its firmness and longevity. Higher density foam is strong and maintains its shape over time, providing robust support.
On the other hand, low-density foam will give you a softer feel but may wear out faster. The choice of foam density depends on your desired level of comfort and personal preference. Try it personally. You may visit the store and ask for a demonstration of an office chair for long sitting.
Shaped Seat Cushion
Some office chairs feature shaped seat cushions. These cushions are tailored to conform to the natural contours of your body. Shaped seat cushions ease pressure on the hips, distributing your weight evenly.
Backrest Cushion
This gives your upper back and shoulders support. Choose a thick cushion with the right shape to give your lower back enough backing and keep your spine in the right position. Cushions can be made of foam or padding.
Lumbar Cushion
In some cases, you may purchase an additional lumbar cushion for your office chair. This cushion offers additional support to the lower back. It can be moved and modified to enhance comfort.
Fabric or Upholstery
The comfort and durability of your chair’s cushions are affected by the fabric or upholstery. Pick mesh or fabric that helps to move sweat or moisture away from the skin. This keeps the body cool and dry.
This kind of fabric is made with special synthetic fibers that can absorb and move moisture to the fabric’s surface, where it can evaporate more easily. This is not the usual fabric you might have seen in office cubicles.
On the other hand, you might think about leather or faux leather upholstery if you want a luxurious, long-lasting choice that looks good and is comfortable.
These 3 features mentioned above should serve as a guide when you are looking for chairs that could give you extreme comfort even when working for long hours. Ergonomically designed office chairs almost always have these properties. While they may be a bit pricey, but hey, how about a visit to a doctor who specializes in lumbar and disc issues?