Choosing an Office
Chair? Handy Hints on How to Choose the Chair that is Right for You
Whether I am visiting a CEO or a call centre operator, when
fitting chairs to people I keep getting asked whether it is the “Right” chair
for them. As a Physiotherapist I can have an opinion of what I think is a great
chair, but what I have found is that for each person a different chair may be
required depending upon their needs in the workplace, and personal likes and
dislikes. Below I have listed the main features of task chairs and the
considerations with regard to them when making a choice.
Back Height: The Back Height of the
chair relates to how high up the back the chair will support, generally
speaking a mid back chair supports below the shoulder blades with emphasis on
the lumbar region. A high back chair supports up to the shoulder blades. An Extra High Back chair will give upper back support and
may involve a headrest for Head support. You should choose the Back Height that
is comfortable for you when sitting and provides support to a particular area
if you have a problem there, i.e. Medium back for lower back issues, high back
for Shoulder issues.
Back Shape Square or
Oval: The shape of
the Back is generally an Aesthetic, although some people may find different
back shapes mould to the body differently providing better support. So this
choice comes down to the look you want versus the comfort you feel when seated
in the chair. A point to consider is that some back shapes will allow for more
arm movement when keying by not contacting the elbows.
Back Support: Probably the most
important feature of the chair is the level of Back support. How much there is
and where it is provided. Different Back shapes and chair moulds will provide
different support. The Lumbar or lower back curve should be pronounced with the
remainder of the back shape having a slight curve or moulded body shape.
Remember everyone is different and will find different back contouring more or
less comfortable. The Lumbar support should always be height adjustable, some
chairs can also offer depth adjustment on the lumbar support. This way the user
can adjust the lumbar support to the correct height and depth while in the
chair, and change it when required. Seated Imprint, Empact and React Chair Ranges can be optioned with an
adjustable AIR lumbar pump to increase or decrease the level of Lumbar support.
Whilst our Therapod & CPod Ranges have fully adjustable Back tension
Seat Size: Would be the 2nd most
important consideration, when seated with your bottom at the back of the chair
contacting the Back support the seat length should extend along the thigh and
stop short of contacting the back of the knee joint, so that there is no
contact between the front edge of the seat and the back of the knee. This gap
should be approximately the width of 3 fingers. If the seat is too long the
user will get contact and pressure on the back of the knee joint, which can
lead to blood flow/compression issues. It can also cause the user to sit on the
front edge or further forward on the chair resulting in less back support when
seated. If the Seat is too short the user will get less support along the Leg
creating a sensation of perching, this can also lead to increased pressure on
the back of the mid thigh. Another factor is seat width, if the seat width is
not wide enough the user can hang off the side of the chair creating pressure
points.
Seat Moulding: Always make sure your
chair seat is comprised of some form of high quality High Density Foam.Some
chairs will have a moulded foam shape, make sure this shape feels comfortable
and fits your bottom shape. Other chairs will have a flat foam, allowing the
seat to mould to you. Modern technologies such as memory foam and gel seats
will allow the seat to adapt and change for each individual user.
Mesh Vs Upholstered: An upholstered chair is
normally a foam moulded backrest with fabric upholstery, providing a fitted
back shape with lumbar support. Some upholstered chair backs can have lumbar
adjustability via the use of strapping, tension dials and inflatable air
supports. Most Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapist’s will recommend upholstered
style chairs with good lumbar support for clients with back issues. Mesh chairs
are a modern variant in seating, preferred by designers for their slim back
design and stylish looks. Most mesh chairs should have an adjustable form of
lumbar support to be considered ergonomic. Generally the more adjustable lumbar
supports ie depth and height, provide a better level of support. Mesh chairs
allow for airflow and are great for warmer office spaces. Care should be taken
that the mesh chair can support in an upright working posture and that the
lumbar support is adjustable and comfortable for the user.
Synchro Swing Motion Vs
Independent tilts: Chairs
generally have 2 forms of movement mechanisms, synchro/swing motion or
independent tilts. An independent tilt mechanism allows the user to adjust the
angle of the seat and the backrest pitch independent from each other, allowing
for an infinite number of angle combinations. This mechanism is recommended by
Physiotherapist’s for users with back conditions that require particular locked
sitting postures. The synchro or swing mechanism means the user can swing the
chair backwards and forwards when seated and can lock the chair at certain
angles. When choosing a synchro mechanism, care should be taken that the swing
motion is comfortable for the user, and most importantly that the chair will
lock in an upright work posture that is useable and supportive – (check where
the chair locks – and the angle of the seat in this position).
Arms Vs No Arms: Generally the choice of
armrests on the chair is at the user’s discretion. Some users will use the
armrests for reading or to support their arms in certain postures, or to aid in
transferring in and out of a chair. If you’re considering armrests make sure
they are height adjustable, some armrests can also be width adjustable. Modern
armrests can come with an adjustable arm pad that can slide forward and back
and will often allow for sideways or angled adjustment. Being able to lock
these arm pad motions is always the better option.
Remember if choosing for the workplace some corporate
environments do not allow armrests on chairs. Most Physiotherapists do not
recommend armrests on chairs as they can sometimes limit the movement of the
chair into or under the desk, and some users will habitually lean on their
armrests creating the spine to move out of alignment.
Chair Height: When selecting your
chair remember to relate it to the height of the desk you are going to be using
it at. You should know the height of your desk, most are around the 720mm mark
but some can be higher or lower. Your chair should be adjustable to the height
of the desk you are buying it for. Most chairs can have different lift heights
fitted to them, if your desk is higher you may require a high lift, or if lower
a low or small gas lift. If your chair cannot have a different gas lift height
fitted remember that you may also be able to fit different castors to raise or
lower the chair by limited amounts.
Castors: As mentioned above some
chairs can have different size castors fitted, allowing for increases in height
of the chair of up to 5cm. Larger castors can also be heavy duty rated and
easier to roll. There are also different types of castors for different floor
surfaces. Most office chairs will come with a standard carpet castor fitted for
use on carpets. You can also fit soft castors for hard floor surfaces, glides
which are feet that stop movement, and pressure locking or releasing castors
that will lock or unlock with release or application of pressure ie sitting.
The biggest mistake I find buyers make when choosing an office
chair is that they will try a chair, sit in the chair in a relaxed position,
lean back, and say “this is the chair for me!” They forget that the office
chairs most important function is to be comfortable and supportive in the
“working position,” not a relaxed position. So remember to test the chair in
your working position, which is generally upright and locked with full back
contact and great lumbar support.
To sum up, the most important thing is that the chair be
comfortable for you in your working posture and also the chairs relaxed mode.
It should also tick all your boxes for your personal requirements and
aesthetics. If you meet these objectives and follow the guidelines above
Please keep in mind that if selecting for use in a larger
company, each workplace may also have OH&S guidelines or Facilities based
“rules” which need to be kept in mind. ie No chairs with arms are allowed in
the office, or all chairs must “aesthetically look” the same.
If you are looking for
a new chair for yourself or a team member simply contact seated for a fitting
or some personal advice from a seated specialist. sales@seated.com.au
You can also visit the Seated Website and use our unique chair selector http://seated.com.au/chair-selector/
