If you work a full-time desk job, that means you’re going to be stuck in your desk Chair for up to 2,500 hours a year. That’s a lot of time sitting, especially if your chair is uncomfortable.
More and more people are suffering from low back pain and skeletal disorders from sitting at a desk all day long. By inactivity, your chances of chronic illnesses like diabetes rise by 7%. Other health problems like obesity, heart disease, depression, and posture can take their toll.
Did you know that 130 million hospital and doctor Office visits relate to musculoskeletal disorders, cumulative trauma, and repetitive strain injuries? What gives? It’s because millions of employees are sitting in chairs that are not designed to be safe for the spine.
Even if you work from home, or part-time in your home office, there is a huge percentage of life spent in an office chair. Why not get the right kind? We’re going to take a look at the best Office Chairs for your health.
How Do You Know If You Need A New Chair?
When you’re purchasing for an office, you think a lot about the desk and the hardware you’re going to be using. You make sure you have an up-to-date computer. One that works fast and has ample RAM. You also think about the desk.
Does it have all the features you are looking for? Is it the right size? Will it hold all of your work equipment?
When it comes to selecting the best office chairs, most people don’t even give it a thought. Some people spend less on a chair because they don’t see it’s importance. A lot of people spend more time sitting in an office chair than they do sleeping.
Not only is it proven that having a comfortable and ergonomic chair will help boost productivity, it also helps avoid back pain and carpal tunnel.
One way to tell if you need one of the best office chairs is by simply analyzing the situation. Take note of how you’re feeling. Is your back tight or sore? How about your neck? Are you experiencing tension headaches or soreness?
What does your chair look like? Is it old and ragged? Does it do a good job of supporting you or is it causing you to slump forward over your keyboard or the edge of your desk?
If your posture and low back are not supported, it’s time to get a new chair.
What Are Important Features in the Best Office Chairs?
There are some important features you should look for when selecting an office chair. The best office chairs will have a majority of these features, if not all.
Support For Your Lower Back
Low back pain is what most people that have full-time desk jobs suffer from. It stems from improper support of your lumbar. The best office chairs have great lumbar support.
Backrest Design
Your office chair should have a full backrest that is adjustable and provides support. This can help to lessen back pain and take stress off of your muscles. The backrest should fit against the curve in your back to support properly.
The backrest should feel comfortable when leaning back, allowing you to reach your keyboard. If the chair does not have good lumbar support, most respond by leaning forward instead of pressing against the back of the chair. This places your spine in a vulnerable position.
When your spine is not straight up and down, it can place pressure on the discs in your back. This can lead to sciatica, herniated discs, and strain by reduction of the supply of blood to tissues in your spinal cord.
Adjustable Height and Width
The best office chairs are ones that can be fully customized for your body type. If it’s a standard, one size fits all, it will most likely not support you.
Most chairs have many different ways to adjust them till you’re comfortable. Some are more important than others for lumbar support, but all are important. The backrest should always mimic and support the shape of your spine.
Adjusting Armrests
Almost all functional office chairs allow you to adjust the height and the armrests. Placing your arms at the right height will help take pressure off your shoulders, neck, and wrists. The armrests should be nice and tight to the body to prevent shoulder strain. Your shoulders should be in a relaxed state while resting on the armrests.
Adjusting for Lumbar Support
You should be able to adjust your lumbar support, the width of seat back, and angle. The wheels should also be adjustable to the base of the chair. This is important so you can get things from across your desk without straining forward out of your chair. The wheels build into a swivel base so you can turn from side to side in your chair as well.
Breathable Upholstery
One thing that most don’t think about when purchasing an office chair is the upholstery. The best office chairs have breathable fabric. When you’ve been sitting in your chair for 8 hours, you shouldn’t be overheating and uncomfortable.
There are many factors when selecting the correct upholstery for the best office chairs. Things to take into consideration should include the location of your furniture, the breathability, how you will clean it and the grade of your fabric.
Double Rub Test
The double rub is a term used in testing the life of a home office chair’s fabric. The test happens by creating a back and forth motion to mimic when people sit down and get up. There are different grades a fabric receives based on how many double rubs it can withstand. A higher grade or heavier duty fabric may up double rubs of 15,000 or more, with 30,000 or more being standard.
High-Grade Fabric That Is Easily Cleanable
This is important for the life of your chair. The thicker and heavier duty the fabric is, the longer it is going to last. Fabric should be a breathable, medium upholstery to prevent overheating and reduce wear.
Buying a home office chair that allows for easy cleaning is something to consider as well. If you know there will be food eaten in the chair, make sure it’s easy to clean up and doesn’t require special cleaning products.
Waterfall Seats and Ankle Rest
The basic idea behind a waterfall design for a desk chair is that is slopes slightly to contour to your spine and relieves pressure behind your knees. The seat rounds in the front for even pressure and weight distribution when sitting.
Have you noticed your legs fall asleep while sitting in your chair? The best office chairs have the waterfall design so the pressure is taken off of your calves and thighs. With both feet on the ground, your back is well supported.
These seats can adjust, allowing for customization for your body. They account for hips of all sizes and can accommodate any person.
Alongside waterfall seats, some office chairs have built-in ankle rests to take pressure off of the legs. Make sure the design is correct for your body, however, or you could experience even lower back pressure.
Keeping Your Joints at 90 Degree Angles
One of the first things to test for when selecting a chair is making sure all of your joints are at a 90-degree angle. This includes your knees, ankles, hips, and elbows. When your hips bend greater than or smaller than a 90-degree angle, your chair is not the right height.
All joints should hold that angle if your chair is the right size for you. With some adjustments, most chairs can change height appropriately.
Replacement of Your Chair
Replacing your chair will be inevitable, it’s just a matter of when. Keeping an eye on it and assessing it over time will help you to determine if you need a replacement. If the chair is falling apart, that’s a sure sign you need a new one.
If the chair is visibly worn but still functions correctly, start preparing your budget to buy a new one. It may be in your future.
Is your chair comfortable? If it’s no longer comfortable and supportive, time to get rid of it. You will need a new chair if it is producing you to procrastinate or has impacted your productivity. Definitely, if you can feel the hard seat beneath the seat cushion or foam.
Lifespans of the best office chairs vary but they will need replacements at some point in time.
Choosing the Best Office Chairs
There are many things that go into choosing an office chair that fits your body and supports your lumbar health.
Take into account the tips listed above to make the best purchasing decisions. You can decrease the risk of diseases by getting a chair that is comfortable, your size, and provides you the support you need. If you’re interested in setting up your home office, read this blog for ideas to get started.
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