What are ergonomic chairs?
Ergonomic chairs are office seating equipment designed with users’ health and comfort in mind. They provide seat support, lumbar support, armrests, adjustable seat heights with or without wheels, back reclining abilities, headrests, active seating controls that change automatically depending on the user’s position (i.e., standing up vs sitting), and more.
Take for example the Ergo 1: it provides adjustable seat height via a pneumatic lift system along with an adjustable lumbar mechanism with a simple handle located behind the backrest. The model also has a fixed headrest and comes with four casters or glides as options for its base, depending on the user’s preference.
How does an ergonomic chair work?
They’re best used in office and desk settings, and rely on adjustable features to fit users’ body types and preferences: van der Rohe famously said that “less is more”, but when it comes to seats, maximum comfort should be the goal over minimalism. As such, many ergonomics chairs come with components that can be adjusted for height, depth of seating, support under the knees/calves, easily removable armrests, rotation capability (for chairs without wheels), adjustable headrests that match the curvature of the spine, and in some cases, adjustable seat height.
Some ergonomic chairs are customizable – which is great if you have special needs or prefer a set-up that works for your body type. Some ergonomic chairs come with optional components, such as heart rate monitors or speakers, while others may come with built-in lumbar support pillows to provide relief from back pain. No matter what an ergonomic chair comes with though, its important features are mostly the same: solid support for most users’ backs at all angles (including proper curve) and cushioning to sit on top of under the knees/calves/feet depending on user height preference.
Who uses an ergonomic chair?
These chairs are popular with people who spend several hours a day working at a desk. They provide relief for those suffering from back pain or discomfort. However, ergonomic chairs do not just benefit office workers.
They can also be beneficial to the casual computer user at home, providing personal time in front of the computer is spent mostly on games and entertainment-related tasks (such as surfing the web, browsing social media sites for fun, etc.).
What does an ergonomic chair look like?
Ergonomic chairs come in all shapes and sizes ranging from basic task chairs that might only have one adjustment option to executive/management models that offer multiple adjustments such as back tilt, armrest height & width adjustment, and more. Most models come with pneumatic levers for adjusting the chair height, adjustable armrests, and swivel bases.
Ergonomic chairs are designed to keep your back in the correct “Sitting Position” with proper lumbar support to ensure you can sit comfortably throughout long periods doing tasks at a computer.
An ergonomic chair can conform and support your spine, legs, and arms in a way to promote good sitting posture. This promotes muscle relaxation and reduces pressure on the body to ensure optimal comfort for long hours of work or play.
You can find three main types of ergonomic chairs: task chairs, executive chairs, and gaming chairs. All three come in various shapes, sizes, and colors while still maintaining an ergonomic design. The materials used also vary depending on which type you choose (leather versus mesh versus fabric), but they all provide good lumbar support while helping you maintain proper sitting posture.
Types of Task Chairs
Task chairs are typically designed to sit behind a desk while both executive & gaming chairs are designed to be used while sitting in front of a desk and/or computer. A task chair is used for long hours at a time, so it needs to provide the user with good back support and adjustability. An executive or gaming chair is designed more for comfort than performance since they are not used daily like task chairs.
Task chairs come in three main varieties: mesh, fabric, and leather . Mesh task chairs use breathable meshes to allow air to circulate through the seat cushion while providing good lumbar support . Fabric task chairs are made from spandex , polyester , nylon , cotton , or other materials that make up the exterior of the chair. Many fabric task chairs also include mesh inserts where one’s lower back meets the chair. Leather task chairs are made from real or synthetic leather, but lack the breathability of mesh and spandex chairs .
Metal is an option for even more high-performance office chairs that can withstand higher weights and heavier usage than task chairs. Often these office chairs feature a metal base with casters, but some models use wire bases instead to maximize maneuverability. While they may not be designed for comfort like their counterparts, ergonomic metal office chairs provide the flexibility needed to move around quickly while working.
A bit confused about getting the next chair? Not a problem – Click through to find out some tips to select the right task chair!