| Budget is on everyone's mind these days so how | | | | (most ergonomic chairs do this but not all) the |
| much you need to spend to get a decent chair is | | | | seat doesn't push against the back of your thighs |
| a question we see a lot. Many people are used to | | | | causing discomfort. |
| shopping for chairs in "big box" office stores, | | | | 4. Ease of adjustment. Some less expensive |
| where prices are low but so is the quality. | | | | chairs require a helper to really adjust properly, |
| Comfort and durability are rare in such | | | | they don't easily adjust from the seated position. |
| circumstances, as are the features that make a | | | | This is not a bad trade off if you're the only user |
| chair suitable for a 40 or more hour work week. | | | | of the chair. |
| As a general statement, decent ergonomic chairs | | | | 5. Overall construction quality, quality of materials, |
| that are suitable for a 40 hour week start around | | | | etc. |
| $300; decent offerings under that price range are | | | | 6. More expensive chairs often have customizable |
| rare. Differences that you'll see in a more | | | | features that may include a choice of textiles, |
| expensive chair (noting officially that price is not a | | | | frame finishes, different kinds of arms, casters |
| guarantee of better...so my comments here are in | | | | for different surfaces, and sometimes other |
| reference to chairs built to ergonomic standards): | | | | comfort options such as memory foam, gel |
| 1. The actual function of the chair - how many | | | | cushions, different types of lumbar supports, etc. |
| places it can be adjusted to fit the user. In | | | | and often coordinating chairs so you can outfit an |
| addition to features such as rocking which isn't | | | | entire office and maintain the same look. |
| required but is common, a truly ergonomic chair | | | | Our three lowest priced chairs that meet this |
| offers: | | | | standard are the Eurotech Apollo MT9400 (under |
| * adjustable height | | | | $200), the 4 X 4 Slider FM498SL (under $300), |
| * back angle adjustment | | | | and the Mayline 4021 (under $300). Bump the |
| * tension adjustment unless the chair is | | | | budget a tad and you move into the arena where |
| counterbalanced by user's weight such as | | | | chairs offer more customization and significantly |
| Humanscale's Freedom and Liberty chairs | | | | higher quality construction. My two favorites in the |
| * seat depth adjustment | | | | under $500 range are the Via Riva, which is |
| * lumbar support | | | | available in two different back styles, 3 seat sizes |
| * either the back is height adjustable (so you can | | | | and a host of options that can accommodate |
| move a fixed lumbar into the correct position) or | | | | your entire office and it starts under $400, and |
| has an adjustable height lumbar support | | | | the Steelcase Amia which is very comfortable |
| * height adjustable arms | | | | and offers the unique advantage of arms that |
| 2. Fit matters too. A chair that doesn't fit is the | | | | double pivot so you can actually move the arms |
| wrong chair regardless of price. A seat that is too | | | | next to your body, then pivot them out so your |
| wide or narrow, or too deep or shallow, will not | | | | shoulders remain fully relaxed and your arms |
| be comfortable for long hours. | | | | supported while typing. This can make a big |
| 3. Seat contour and the quality of foams used. | | | | difference in comfort if you type all day, and |
| Cheaper foam breaks down faster and doesn't | | | | especially if you are experiencing any sort of |
| distribute your weight as well. A well contoured | | | | shoulder, upper back, neck, arm, wrist or hand |
| seat is more comfortable for long hours. Also a | | | | problems. The Amia also fits a wider range of |
| lot of ergonomic chairs offer a waterfall seat so | | | | bodies than most chairs. The Steelcase Amia |
| that when the seat moves up as you rock back | | | | starts under $500. |