| Using ergonomic chairs in the workplace is more | | | | you from leaning back comfortably. A good |
| important now than it was before. The human | | | | ergonomic chair has a waterfall front. It would |
| body is not designed to sit for hours at an end in | | | | also help if it has a seat slider that would ensure |
| front of a desk, and yet more and more people | | | | that the seat pan is just right for you. |
| find themselves chained to a desk, working in | | | | 4. Seat cushioning. The cushioning of an |
| front of a computer most of the time. Sitting | | | | ergonomic chair should be sufficient for it not to |
| for long, continuous hours puts a lot of strain on | | | | be deformed after you have been using it for a |
| the muscles and eventually causes the body to | | | | while. If the cushioning is not enough, the seat of |
| sustain occupational injuries. Using an ergonomic | | | | the chair can get deformed permanently and it |
| chair at least minimizes the strain that the body | | | | would become uncomfortable for you to sit on |
| experiences while sitting for extended periods in | | | | after a while. Later on, it will just lead you to |
| front of a desk. | | | | experience pain on your back and thighs. In |
| Not all ergonomic chairs, however, are true | | | | addition, you should choose seat covers that |
| ergonomic chairs. Some manufacturers call their | | | | breathe freely and are easy to clean. Such seat |
| products ergonomic chairs in order to capture a | | | | covers will not feel hot and uncomfortable against |
| market that is so in need of relief from pain | | | | your thighs after sitting on the chair for so long. |
| caused by strain on the lower back, on the neck, | | | | Easy to clean seat covers also mean that it will |
| on the arms, on the legs and on the shoulders. | | | | not be breeding ground for dust mites. |
| A real ergonomic chair is designed to minimize this | | | | 5. Back support. The back rest of a good |
| pain. | | | | ergonomic chair should be adjustable to fit the |
| How can you tell if an ergonomic chair is really an | | | | curve of your lower back so that it could provide |
| ergonomic chair? A true ergonomic chair has the | | | | you with lumbar support. This is very important, |
| following features: | | | | especially if you will not be the exclusive user of |
| 1. Seat height. An ergonomic chair should be | | | | the chair. Moreover, the back rest should be |
| fitted with a mechanism that will allow you to | | | | wide and tall enough to support your mid-back |
| adjust its height while you are sitting on it. If | | | | and your upper back as well. Another important |
| your knees are level and your feet are planted | | | | characteristic of an ergonomic chair is that it |
| firmly on the floor without the use of a foot rest | | | | allows you to lean back comfortably without |
| while you are sitting on the ergonomic chair, it | | | | leaving the curve of your back. |
| means that its height is right for you. Also, you | | | | 6. Armrests. The armrests of a good ergonomic |
| should be able to reach the adjusting mechanism | | | | chair should be contoured to fit the arms, broad |
| of the seat and operate it even if you are sitting | | | | enough to provide ample support, and can be |
| on it. | | | | adjusted upward and downward as well as inward |
| 2. Foot rest. Most ergonomic chairs do not | | | | or outward. Another thing is that the armrests |
| require a foot rest. If the height of the chair can | | | | of the ergonomic chair should let the arms and |
| be adjusted easily and allow you to plant your | | | | elbows rest naturally, without making you lean |
| feet firmly on the ground while you are seated, | | | | forward or lifting your shoulders. |
| then a foot rest is not necessary. However, if | | | | 7. Pedestal base. If mobility in your chair is |
| your table is too high in relation to your chair and | | | | essential to your work, then you should get an |
| if having your feet flat on the floor means you | | | | ergonomic chair that has a five pedestal base |
| have to strain your arms, then a foot rest is | | | | with casters that can let you glide easily over the |
| needed so you could rest your feet comfortably | | | | floor. A five pedestal base will also provide |
| and without added strain to your legs. | | | | enough balance so that the chair will not tip over |
| 3. Seat pan. The seat pan of your ergonomic | | | | when you lean back. |
| chair should be wide enough to fit your hips and | | | | Always look for these features when looking for |
| thighs without pinching you in any way. It should | | | | an ergonomic chair for your home or your |
| also be contoured so your weight could be | | | | office. They will prevent your body from |
| distributed evenly on it. In addition, the seat pan | | | | incurring injuries brought about by continuous |
| should be long enough to fit your legs. If it is too | | | | strain to the muscles. |
| long, it will hit the back of your knees and prevent | | | | |