Let's Get Specific - What Makes a Chair Ergonomic?

Lots of office chairs look nice but not all arearms should be height adjustable. Optimally the
ergonomic and if you want to work in comfort, itarms are also width adjustable and/or offer a
pays to select a chair that can be adjusted bothpivot so you can place the arm pads where they
to fit your body and the way you work.support you best while typing.
All chairs should have these minimum- Quality Casters - Often over-looked but this is
requirements in order to be considered animportant as your entire body weight is supported
ergonomic chair:by one to two casters when entering and exiting
- Seat Height Adjustment - You should be able toyour chair. Cheaper casters break often.
adjust your seat height so that your knees are a- Stable Wheel Base - minimum five spoke caster
little lower than your hips and your feet should bebase
able to rest flat on the floor.- Lumbar Support - The lumbar support needs to
- Seat Pan Depth Adjustment - seat slide - Thisbe adjustable to place in the correct position.
allows you to adjust the depth of your seat soSometimes this is accomplished by changing the
that you have 1-4 inches between the front edgechair back height. Ideally the lumbar is
of your seat and the back of your knee to allowindependently height adjustable. On some chairs,
for both leg support and blood floor.the depth and/or pressure of the lumbar support
- Back Rest Height Adjustment - The ability tois also adjustable.
adjust your chair back allows you to position the- Headrest Adjustment - A headrest is not a
contours of the back cushion for optimal backrequirement for an ergonomic chair, but if you
support.have a headrest, it needs to be adjustable so it
- Swivel Base - ability to turn while seatedwill fit you right.
- Back Angle Adjustment - This allows you to fine- Intuitive, Easy-To-Use Controls
tune the back for a comfortable position. We- Encourages Posture Changes - You'll be more
recommend you change positions throughout thecomfortable over a long work day if you change
day or leave the back angle unlocked and rock atpositions occasionally. Movement helps increase
will.blood flow and alertness and prevents DVTs. This
- Back Tilt Tension Adjustment - The tensioncan be as simple as getting up and taking 5
knob lets you adjust the pressure needed to rockminute mini-breaks during the day, but rocking or
back in your chair.changing your back angle every so often can also
- Arm Support Adjustment - At a minimum, chairhelp.