The Importance of Choosing the Right Office Chair
Sitting in an office for a long time can be unhealthy if the chair is not specifically designed for the purpose of your task, nor it has the correct settings. Even if you take regular breaks, if the chair is not comfortable, it will just create discomfort and also create potential harm on your back, neck or legs. Hence the importance of choosing the right office chair.
Either you are an employer or an employee, there are important things to consider. Being an employer is important when designing an office space and choosing your chairs, that you take into account the level of comfort and support being experienced by your employees while they work. If you are an employee, it is important that you ensure you are seating at your desk with the correct posture, and that your chair has the right setting (seat height and lumbar support position). In fact, your chair settings will be probably different from your work colleague settings: even a slight difference might compromise your comfortability, and in the long run, causing back pains.
Since the 1849 with the first build-on-purpose office chair called “Centripetal Spring Armchair” designed by Thomas E Warren, a lot of things have changed, especially with the help of the technology and introduction concept of product innovation. Nowadays, talking about office chairs, becomes too simplistic to recognise them as only a complement of office furniture with the purpose of just seating in front of a desk. In fact there are different type of chairs currently available in the market with specific functions and benefits you must be aware of.
Task Chairs
Task chairs are an essential component of any office furniture, as they are used by workers for hours on end. The reason why we called it “task chairs” is because in the past, chairs were made with a specific task (ie. tailor, assembly line, dentist, switchboard operator) in mind, allowing workers to ease their tasks of every day job. Although the comfort of seating at a chair and their aesthetic attribute was not introduced yet. We will have to wait till the 50’s to start seeing something eye catching and comfortable.
Coming back to our days, task chairs come in a variety of different styles from heavy duty (ie. vinyl lab chair) to a more comfy computer chair. Their styles and designs can vary greatly in order to provide workers with the lumbar support they need throughout their long and busy days. Some of variations can be adding the head or arm rest to increase the comfort.
Mesh chairs
Among task chairs there is a product category called mesh chairs, a popular option for offices as the material offers a modern, sleek look while the fabric can mould and shape itself to the natural shape of its user. The mesh has the benefit of allowing the chair to be breathable so the user won’t become uncomfortable or overheat. Foam padded seating is also popular as it provides the maximum levels of sitting comfort for any user.
Executive Chairs
Executive chairs are designed to give your office a more sophisticated and professional look. As the word “executive” may suggest, it is usually associated with management level employees and office boardrooms. Available with sleek designs and quality materials that convey the importance of your business. Common finishes for executive chairs are a classic leather or a more eco-friendly faux leather finish, which helps to promote a luxurious and professional feel. Investing in a chair like this gives your office a professional high-end image, while still providing you with the highest possible level of comfort.
Ergonomic Chairs
With back related injuries, being the most commonly occurring in the workplace, ergonomic chairs have never been a more important investment for you. Ergonomic chairs offer the best possible solution to combat back pain and offer lumbar support. Solutions such as kneeling chairs, sit-stand stool chairs, high back armrest chairs and lumbar support ergonomic chairs is one of the many alternatives of ergonomics solution you can get nowadays in the market. Posture, sit-stand and kneeling chairs are designed to improve your movement, core muscles and reduce the likelihood of injury while you work.
To further improve your health while sitting, maintaining proper posture is of key importance, as good posture helps to reduce stress on muscles and fatigue. To do this, make sure your thighs are parallel to the floor and the armrests of your chair are slightly below your elbows. Your keyboard should be between one to two inches below your elbows while typing as well. Replacing your chair with a stability ball for periods of time throughout the day will also improve your health while sitting as it activates more muscles to use and promotes movement.
Office Chairs: What Brands to focus on?
When looking to invest in the right office chair, there are a number of brands to look out for in order to purchase the highest quality chair possible. Some of them to mention are: Profim , Dynamo, Herman Miller , Steelcase, Boss and Kleiber. Those are all highly respected and reputable brands to take note of.
Soft Seating
If soft seating options are what you are seeking then Kleiber is the brand for you. Their mission is to produce quality designs that meet their customers high expectations. They work with Europe’s leading suppliers to ensure this high quality, caring about each and every detail in each of their seating designs. The chairs vibrant colours and eye-catching designs create a lively environment within your space, while also providing the highest level of comfort possible.
Movement Chairs
If movement chairs are your main seating focus then Varier offers the perfect solution to your problem. Varier strive to provide better sitting habits into their users and help people to live healthier lives. With the large amount of strain sitting for a long length of time creates Varier designs and manufactures chairs that move with your body to grant you high levels of comfort, while also combating these health problems in the process. They strive to create innovative designs that further improve seating designs to provide you with the best seating possible.
Conclusion
As brought to your attention, there are nowadays in the market different types of chairs to purchase. Each of them has a particular benefit, from the more task performing to the more comfortable and ergonomic one. As a kind of personal investment, you should avoid go for the cheaper, rather than the one that is suitable for your needs and daily tasks. Then, once you have found the right type of chair, you can eventually comparing the price and accessories. I personally prefer going for an ergonomic office chair, as it enhance the comfort level and keeps me away from lower back discomfort.
