There is one important thing you must know before buying an office chair – the importance of ergonomics.
In this day and age, people are spending a majority of their working days sitting down. With that, many people are sitting in the wrong office chair for long periods of time, which can cause serious health problems. Understanding what makes the best office chairs for long-term use, (specifically ergonomic chairs), is key when looking for an office chair for yourself or for multiple employees. Once you have all of the knowledge and an idea of the chair you want, don’t forget to try it out. That means taking a seat in the chair you want, and making sure it is the right chair for you. There are many ergonomic chairs to purchase online, but don’t be fooled by great ratings and photos – you need to sit in the chair before you make a purchase.
Read on to learn about ergonomics and the importance of buying an office chair that can drastically improve your posture, reduce back pain and ultimately improve productivity.
What is an ergonomic chair?
According to OSHA, ergonomics is the “science of fitting workplace conditions and job demands to the capabilities of the working population.” An ergonomic chair is a chair that is made up of adjustable features that allow a person to maintain the right posture, while being productive at their job. The basic features of an ergonomic chair include:
- Adjustable seat height
- Vertical/backward-forward adjustable backrest
- Adjustable armrests
- Lumbar support
- Adequate seat width and depth
- Easy swiveling
- Five-star base for stability
Positives of using an ergonomic chair
Posture support: Sitting for long hours can be detrimental to your posture. Using a traditional office chair that lacks ergonomics, makes you lean forward due to lack of correct back height, resulting in bad posture. An ergonomic chair provides a full-length design and the support for a natural posture.
Reduced pain: The most common body pain complaints from office workers or people sitting at a desk for a long time are lower back and neck pain. This is because traditional chairs don’t allow you to sit for an extended amount of time while supporting correct posture. An ergonomic chair provides you with better relaxation and reduced pain because these pain points are properly supported.
Increased productivity: Sitting in the correct office chair is shown to improve your productivity. A Washington State Department of Labor & Industries study found that by using ergonomic chairs there was an increase in absenteeism in office settings, a reduction in error rates and the time on specific tasks increases as well.
How to select an ergonomic chair
There are a few specific things you should look at when choosing an ergonomic chair:
Seat cushioning: Make sure the padding on the seat and backrest are made of breathable material and think enough to allow you to sit for extended hours
Adjustability: The chair that you purchase should be fully adjustable, meaning you should be able to adjust the seat tilt, lumbar support, headrest and height.
Now you know what you’re looking for – Take a seat
Now that you know everything you are looking for in an ergonomic chair, sit down, make sure you are comfortable, adjust as needed and find your perfect chair!
Looking for office chairs you can try out in Kansas City? Santa Fe Office Interiors has the best office chairs on the market, and a beautiful showroom to test them out!
Visit Santa Fe Office Interiors’ 9,000 sq. ft. showroom to see the various office chair price points and stock for yourself in Overland Park, Kansas. Santa Fe Office Interiors has a team of professionals ready to help choose the best office chair for you. Reach out to our team at 913-901-8800 or stop in the showroom Monday through Friday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., or by appointment. We are located at 8106 Santa Fe Drive, Overland Park, Kansas 66204.
Everyone deserves to sit in comfort
Working on a budget for your office interior furniture? Don’t let financials get in the way of having a comfortable ergonomic office chair. Santa Fe Office Interiors sells used office chairs. Get a chair that checks off all the necessary boxes, and is basically made for you, at a fraction of the price. Something new doesn’t always mean best. The best chair for you is one that you feel comfortable in. Come in and take a look at Santa Fe’s used chair inventory today!