| So you're thinking of buying a new office chair but | | | | can also be purchased separately. The backrest |
| perhaps are a little hesitant. Consider a fairly | | | | should be adjustable to allow the user to find the |
| typical scenario for an average person. John | | | | preferred angle. |
| spends $15,000 on a car to get him to and from | | | | Next is the seat itself, the part you actually sit on. |
| work, a one hour commute each way. John | | | | You want to choose a seat that has adjustable |
| works in an office, so he spends eight hours a | | | | height. You don't want to be sitting too high (feet |
| day at his desk in a seated position. But the | | | | dangling in the air) or too low (knees pointing up at |
| thought of spending money to buy a quality chair | | | | an angle). You want to sit with your thighs parallel |
| somehow puts John off, because after all, it's only | | | | to the ground and knees bent at a 90 degree |
| a chair right? Wrong. | | | | angle with your feet flat on the floor. |
| If you work in an office, you spend nearly half | | | | Armrests are not a requirement, but many prefer |
| your waking hours in a seated position. Clearly | | | | them for comfort issues. When typing, it is |
| you want comfort, but you also need something | | | | important not to have your elbows or forearms |
| that will be ergonomically effective as well as | | | | resting on the armrests. If you are one of those |
| promote good posture. And there's no reason | | | | who prefers armrests, make sure they are |
| why you can't have both! In this article I will | | | | adjustable to allow your forearms to rest |
| outline a few key points that will help you choose | | | | comfortably and your shoulders to relax. |
| the best office chair for your needs. | | | | A good office chair should be able to rotate freely |
| The first thing to realize is that there is no | | | | and have wheels, allowing the user to turn and |
| universal best office chair out there. Everyone's | | | | reach objects without having to strain and reach. |
| body is unique, and therefore we all have | | | | The seat material should provide sufficient |
| different needs when it comes to picking out a | | | | cushioning for extended periods of usage (a few |
| chair. That being said, there are also factors that | | | | hours). Whether you choose leather, mesh, or |
| separate the good chairs from the lower quality | | | | fabric depends on your preference. |
| ones. | | | | These are just some of the basic features to |
| The first factor to consider is lumbar support. | | | | look out for when shopping for your next office |
| Inadequate or ineffective lumbar support often | | | | chair. If a chair doesn't have an important |
| results in lower back stiffness and pain, especially | | | | ergonomic feature, then my advice would be to |
| among older people. A good, ergonomic office | | | | steer clear, even if you find it comfortable. If you |
| chair should provide a backrest with an adjustable | | | | plan to use your chair for any significant amount |
| lumbar support that preserves the natural | | | | of time, good posture and ergonomics is crucial to |
| curvature of the spine. Dedicated lumbar supports | | | | maintaining good health. |