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In many offi ce jobs, employees remain seated

at their desks for the better part of their 8-hour

days. However, sitting for long periods of time can

put stress on a person’s neck, spine, shoulders,

and even legs if their work station is improperly

set up. Poor daily posture and seating conditions

can have painful eff ects on the body over time.

That’s why it is important to know how to choose

the right offi ce chair, the piece of offi ce furniture

with the most impact on a person’s movement

and physical comfort.

ergonomics & Back sUpportThe spine, although highly fl exible, is designed to maintain a gentle S-like curve to carry the weight of the body. Distorting this shape with habitual slouching and leaning when you sit can create serious health problems. Spinal problems can result in pain in your legs and lower back all the way up to your neck. It can lead to headaches, tired legs, and soreness and tension in the back. All of this can aff ect your mood, productivity, and focus while at work, not to mention the potential eff ects on your long-term health. Having a chair that supports proper posture is the most important factor when buying a comfortable offi ce chair.

In a chair with the proper fi t for you, the back of the chair should press into the small of your back (the lumbar region). This will prevent your back fromcurving outward as it settles into a slouching C-shape. This position causes strain on the muscles

that attach to the spine. The upper section of the chair should curve backward slightly to match the back’s natural shape. In fact, the chair should maintain contact with your whole back, from shoulders to lower back, while you are comfortably seated.

seat heightWhen determining the proper height of your chair, there are two angles to keep in mind: the angle of your knees as you sit with feet fl at on the fl oor as well as the angle of your elbows as you type. Your knee should be at a 90° angle with your thighs parallel to the fl oor. This keeps your thighs from pressing too hard into the seat, which may impair the circulation in your legs. Your elbows should also be at approximately a 90° angle with your forearms roughly parallel to the fl oor. This position keeps your wrist relatively straight. Typing constantly with bent wrists can strain the muscles in your wrist and lead to nerve and muscle problems in your hands, wrists, forearms, and elbows.

This means that your seat should be high enough to allow you to type easily and low enough to keep your feet comfortably fl at on the fl oor without added pressure on your legs. To customize the height of your chair to best suit your needs and work setup, consider chairs with adjustable seat heights.

moVement & FUnctionalityDepending on how your desk is laid out, you may need a high degree of movement in your chair. Having wheels on the bottom or a swiveling seat may be necessary to comfortably maneuver around your work space. These features can allow you to

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reach different areas of your desk, filing cabinets, drawers, etc. without straining and bending at awkward angles in the process. More than just novelty features, wheels and a swiveling seat have a distinct ergonomic value vital for working in spread out work stations.

Factoring in Desk arrangementUnless you are planning on buying an entirely new office set, you may have to limit your options by what works with your existing furniture. In general, office chairs are quite adjustable, so this is rarely a problem. Still, if your desk is particularly high, particularly low, or wraps around (as in an office cubicle desk), you may need to keep in mind certain

features or characteristics that the chair must have.

Upholstery & material

The material used in an office chair should be comfortable enough to

allow you to sit for long periods of time. Different

materials will appeal more strongly to

different users. Mesh chairs rely on the tension and elasticity of the material to support and provide comfort for users. Often, the seats of these chairs are thickly padded for added comfort and durability. Leather chairs have plusher padding in the seat, back, and even armrests. Mesh and fabric chairs may offer a greater degree of breathability, but in climate-controlled office environments, this is not usually an issue. Instead, the ideal type of chair material has more to do with user preference and aesthetic appeal.

appearance

Although less important for home office workers, those in an office setting may want to maintain a certain uniform appearance. This may direct you to a certain style of chair, such as a high-backed leather chair, a mesh chair, a chair with wood accents, and so on. Even if you are limited to a certain style, there are still many options to suit your ergonomic needs and seating preferences.

Big & tall oFFice chairsStandard options may not be able to suit every worker. Many brands of office chairs now produce “big and tall” lines of office chairs. These chairs have heavy duty frames, bases, and cylinders to provide more reliable support. Many of these options are also made to slightly larger proportions. Selection is not limited, either. Big and tall office chairs come in all types of materials, a range of styles, and include

all the features you would find on standard office chairs.

By taking these factors into consideration and knowing what to look for in an ergonomic office chair, you should be able to easily find the right chair for your body and work needs.

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Offi ce Chairs Unlimited is a national retailer for offi ce chairs and furniture.

Through its bypass-the-middleman business practices, Offi ce Chairs Unlimited is

able to off er customers wholesale prices and free shipping on every order, large or

small. If you are hunting for new offi ce chairs, look through the online inventory

of our website and feel free to contact customer services with any questions.

800.410.7494