| > | | | | lumbar support, tilt angle control, and several |
| Selecting a good office chair is an important | | | | other chair controls. Listed below are some |
| decision. If you intend to spend a lot of time in | | | | general categories for types of office chairs |
| your office chair, it’s probably the | | | | based on the amount of use. Refer to Types of |
| equivalent of purchasing a mattress for your bed. | | | | Chairs to get a general feel for the type of use |
| Think about how much time you’ll spend in | | | | that will be required of your chair. |
| the chair each day. It could be as much as 8-12 | | | | Make sure the office chair provides proper back |
| hours. If that’s the case, you definitely | | | | support. Your back should be comfortably |
| want to make an informed decision. Listed below | | | | supported to maintain an erect posture. Make |
| are some general guidelines to assist you in the | | | | sure the chair can adjust to different posture |
| process of selecting an office chair. | | | | positions. |
| Test it first. The best way to select is good | | | | Review the tilt. A good office chair should |
| office chair is to test it firsthand. If possible, the | | | | accommodate a number of different tilt options |
| person who will be using the chair should take it | | | | to accommodate different seating positions |
| for a test drive | | | | throughout the day. Also, check to make sure the |
| Check the fit. | | | | tilting tension can be adjusted. Tilting back in an |
| - Make sure the chair height can be adjusted to | | | | office chair should be easy, but there should be |
| ensure your feet rest on the floor. | | | | some tension. You’ll need to adjust this |
| - Is the seat cushion comfortable? Does it feel | | | | based on your height, weight, and needs. |
| stable and balanced in a variety of positions? | | | | Check out the armrests. If the chair will be used |
| - Are your knees below your hips? When seated | | | | at a desk or computer workstation, then make |
| with your feet resting on the floor, you want to | | | | sure the armrests are designed so that the chair |
| ensure your knees are below your hips. This is | | | | can be pulled up close to the workstation. |
| especially critical on heavy use chairs to ensure | | | | Adjustable armrests are also a nice option. Some |
| you maintain proper circulation below the knee. As | | | | chairs come with armrests that extend 10 inches |
| a general rule, the angle formed by your torso | | | | or less from the back of the seat. These |
| and thighs should be between 90 and 105 | | | | armrests allow you to work close to the |
| degrees. | | | | workstation while also providing a place to rest |
| - Is the chair rounded at the front? A rounded | | | | your arms. |
| front also helps to maintain proper circulation in | | | | Make sure the chair wheel casters are appropriate |
| your legs. | | | | for the flooring they will be used on. Hard wheel |
| - How’s the back? Make sure the back | | | | casters are appropriate for carpet and some solid |
| rest feels comfortable. Lumbar support systems | | | | surface materials. However, if your chair will be |
| vary, so make sure the fit is good. | | | | used on hardwood floors or other flooring material |
| Select a chair designed to support your usage | | | | that can be damaged, then you should strongly |
| requirements. Some office chairs are designed for | | | | consider soft wheel casters. |
| short-term, infrequent use while others are | | | | Choose the right fabric. The fabric should be one |
| designed for daily, heavy duty use. | | | | that allows a firm seat with no sliding. It should |
| Today’s chairs also come with a variety of | | | | also be a breathable fabric that allows easy |
| mechanisms to control the comfort level of each | | | | cleanup of spills. |
| user — height control, tension adjustment, | | | | |