While it might not initially seem that important, choosing the right chair for your desk can make a significant improvement to your health and comfort.
This is because sitting down for long periods of time can put huge stress on the back and spine, which can lead to back problems and discomfort - not what you want just from doing your job! So, to avoid developing or compounding back issues, it's a good idea to have a supportive ergonomic office chair that supports the lower back and promotes good posture.
With so many on the market, each with their own unique features and benefits, it can be a little overwhelming when it comes to choosing the right one for you. This is why we’ve rounded up our top tips for choosing an ergonomic chair for your office.
But before we look at this in more detail, let's understand exactly what an ergonomic chair is.
What are Ergonomic Office Chairs?
In short - ergonomic office chairs are specially designed to provide maximum comfort and support to users who spend long periods of time sitting at a desk or computer. These chairs promote proper posture, reduce the risk of musculoskeletal issues, and enhance overall well-being.
There are 6 main things to consider when choosing the perfect ergonomic office chair:
1. Adjustability
One size-fits all works for some products, but when it comes to office chairs that you’ll be sitting in for long periods of time, customisation is crucial.
No two bodies are exactly the same, and what is comfy for one person may not be suitable for another. This is why choosing an ergonomic chair with adjustable features, such as seat height, depth, and lumbar support, allows you to tailor the chair to your body, promoting individualised comfort and unique support.
Adjustable chairs are especially useful in environments where more than one person would be using the same chair, such as flexible office spaces or a shared home office.
An adjustable chair will allow you to customise each part of the chair to accommodate different users.All of our ergonomic chairs are highly adjustable, designed to provide strong back support and an ideal seat position for long periods of sitting. Shop our wide selection of ergonomic office chairs here, ideal for use with our height-adjustable desks.
2. Seat Depth and Width
Another thing to think about when choosing the perfect office chair is the seat depth and width.
You want a chair with an adjustable seat depth to ensure you can sit with your back comfortably against the backrest while leaving 2-4 inches between the back of your knees and the edge of the seat.
In addition, the width of the seat should be sufficient to accommodate your hips comfortably. Typically speaking, 17-20 inches wide is the standard.
When it comes to height, the seat height should be easily adjustable to allow your feet to rest flat on the floor, with your knees at a 90-degree angle. This helps prevent discomfort and promotes good circulation.
3. Lower Back (Lumbar) Support
Lower back support is so important when looking for an ergonomic chair. This is because the lumbar spine has an inward curve, and sitting for extended periods of time without this curve having proper support tends to lead to slouching. Slouching flattens the natural curve and in turn strains the structures in the lower spine.
For proper lower back support, you want to make sure that your lower back is always slightly arched in order to prevent long periods of slouching, which is why an ergonomic chair with lumbar support is so beneficial.
Other accessories that can help with back and posture support are desk footrests. Discover whether you should use a footrest at your desk here.
4. Chair Material
Another factor to think about when choosing the perfect ergonomic office chair is material and padding.
Ideally, the material on the office chair seat and back should have enough padding to be comfortable and supportive when sat on for extended periods of time.
That said, mesh backrests are becoming increasingly popular, especially for those who tend to get hot in the office, as they let air through and are breathable.
Shop quality mesh ergonomic office chairs here at Ergo Desks, such as the Influence Stylish Ergonomic Mesh Chair> or the Sculpture ER10 Executive Ergonomic Mesh Chair.
5. Movement
Throughout the day, your body will need to regularly change positions. Therefore for an optimum working position, it’s crucial that the chair's seat and back follow your natural movements to allow it to comfortably move around.
So, if movement is an important feature for you, you want to be looking for a chair with a reclining or tilt mechanism to allow you to lean back and relax periodically. Some chairs also offer a rocking feature, promoting movement and reducing stiffness.
A higher quality mechanism allows for better adjustability and a more ergonomic posture.
Our Sculpture ER10 Executive Ergonomic Mesh Chair has been specially engineered to provide optimal seated comfort with a tilt lock function for balanced active seating.
6. Identify Needs & Budget
Before you start shopping for an ergonomic chair, you need to identify your personal needs and preferences. How long do you sit at your desk? What are your main pain points or health issues? How much space do you have in your workplace?
You will also want to identify your budget early on. The cost of ergonomic chairs can vary widely based on factors such as brand, design, features, and materials. And while high-quality ergonomic chairs can be more expensive than normal office chair, they offer better long-term comfort and durability.
And there we have it! We hope this article helps you find the perfect ergonomic office chair for you. For more information and tips on and desk accessories, visit our standing desks blog.
Check out our quality selection of ergonomic chairs to suit all requirements. Ps. all chairs come with free UK delivery, a 7 year warranty, 30 day risk free return, as well as access to a UK-based customer service team to answer any questions that you might have.
