5 Step practical guide to choosing an ergonomic office chair

Choosing a proper chair for your employees will increase productivity, enhance concentration, reduce sick days and maximize efficiency.

We spend an average of 8 hours each day sitting at our desks.

That`s 40 hours a week and about 2080 hours over the course of a year.

Suffice to say, we spend a tremendous amount of our lives sitting on a chair.

When asked which physical feature is the most important to them in the workplace, 83.2% of employees mentioned their office chair. As an employer, understanding the importance of a good support system is paramount to well-being in the workplace and keep employees from missing work.

WHY FINDING THE RIGHT OFFICE CHAIR IS SO IMPORTANT?

Sitting down for a prolonged time can add extreme stress and pressure on the body.

Selecting office chairs goes much further than aesthetics.

The right ergonomic solutions will:

• Empower your workforce and allow them to excel in their roles

•  Increase productivity

• Reduce the number of breaks

• Prevent fatigue and discomfort

When it comes to choosing an office chair, our recommendation is to opt for an ergonomic chair because of the support they offer the back and neck.

WHAT YOU SHOULD CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING AN ERGONOMIC CHAIR?

1. A FIVE POINT BASE

 To ensure stability and prevent tipping over, your chair should have at least 5 castors at the base.

When choosing the wheel base, you also need to take into consideration the flooring type. If your office is carpeted, it may be necessary to get a chair with wheels specifically designed for carpet.

Swivel is another important feature if you need to reach other parts of your desk. If the chair doesn`t swivel, you may have to frequently twist your back to reach things, which is not good for the back health.

2. ADJUSTABILITY

For a customized support, the height, depth and arm rest should be fully adjustable according to different body types.

A good ergonomic chair will allow you to adjust each part of the chair. You should be able to move the armrests, seat and back support independently of each other.

Getting our backs properly supported starts at ground level, so one thing to consider when adjusting your chair height is having your feet securely planted on the ground and making contact with both the heel and the ball of the foot.

The armrests should match the height of your desk.

3. LUMBAR SUPPORT

Everyone in your office deserves good ergonomic support and proper spinal alignment when sitting on a chair.

With build-in sacral reinforcement and options for adjustable lumbar support, a good office chair should strengthen employee wellness through engineered design.

The backrest should be adjustable and follow the shape of the spine.

To provide adequate support, the back of the chair should come to the middle of the shoulder blades and it should also support the curve in the lower back.

One thing to keep in mind is that you need to make proper contact with the backrest of the chair.

4. FABRIC

The fabric should be breathable to prevent the chair from trapping heat and becoming too hot.

In addition, it should have enough cushion to support the person sitting in.

Before making a purchase, make sure the chair`s seat is made of high quality foam. Improperly padded chair seats can cause misalignments in the hips and back issues.

5. DESIGN STYLE

Now that you`ve considered all the functional features, it`s time for the fun and creative part.

Chairs come in all shapes and fabrics and you can find amazing stylish chairs without compromising on support.

Do you want your office chair to act as an eye-catching design statement in the office or just to blend in with the rest of your décor?

Is your office contemporary, industrial or eclectic?

Whether you are looking for a beautiful design, first-class ergonomics, elegant engineering or respect for the environment, we can help you comprise them all in a bespoke solution suitable for your employees` needs.