| The Base Many people like a mobile | | | | (i.e., the part of the chair that |
| chair. If your chair needs to slide, it | | | | supports your lower back) is an |
| should have at least a 5-pedestal base | | | | essential requirement for a good |
| with casters (wheels) that glide freely | | | | ergonomic chair. Many chairs have |
| over the floor surface. If you choose a | | | | cushioned lumbar supports that can be |
| chair with less than 5 pedestals, you're | | | | adjusted up and down and forward |
| sacrificing some stability and safety; | | | | backward to best fit your shape. |
| chairs with 4 casters can tip over more | | | | Adjustability is especially helpful if |
| easily. The base should allow for the | | | | multiple people use the same chair. |
| chair to swivel easily. | | | | A fixed-height lumbar support may be |
| Armrests When looking at chairs, keep in | | | | acceptable if you're the only user of |
| mind that armrests should only used | | | | the chair and it feels comfortable when |
| while reading or resting between typing | | | | you sit back against it. When sitting |
| sessions, not while actually typing or | | | | against the lumbar support, make sure |
| using your mouse. Therefore, depending | | | | there's sufficient room for your hips |
| on how you spend your time in the chair, | | | | and that you aren't being forced so far |
| you may not even need armrests. | | | | forward in the chair that you lose thigh |
| If you do decide to purchase a chair | | | | support. |
| with armrests, make sure that they're | | | | Back Support The back support should |
| adjustable, broad, cushioned, and | | | | recline to allow you to sit back at more |
| comfortable. While sitting, you should | | | | than 90 degrees. |
| be able to independently adjust the | | | | The best chairs allow the back to move |
| height of the armrests and move them | | | | and also track your back as you move |
| closer together or further apart. Some | | | | back and forth; try to avoid locking a |
| chairs offer the added convenience of | | | | back support in one position. Look for a |
| being able to easily move the arms out | | | | support that's broad enough for your |
| of the way when they're not being used. | | | | back and doesn't put pressure on the |
| The Seat Pan The seat pan (i.e., the | | | | side of your back. The support should |
| part of the chair on which you sit) | | | | also be tall enough to provide good |
| should allow even weight distribution | | | | support to the middle of the back (at |
| and comfortable support. Note both the | | | | least up to your shoulder blades). |
| width and depth of the seat pan; it | | | | Headrest If you like to recline to read |
| should be wide enough to give you at | | | | a book, talk on the phone, or relax, |
| least one inch of unused space on both | | | | look for a chair with a high back and |
| sides of your thighs and hips. The seat | | | | good neck and head rest. |
| pan should also be deep enough to | | | | The Chair Covering Chairs come with a |
| comfortably support your thighs and not | | | | variety of coverings; cloth and leather |
| put pressure behind your knees (which is | | | | are the most common. |
| bad for circulation). Many seat pans | | | | There are practical considerations to |
| have a "waterfall" front feature that | | | | take into account when determining which |
| prevents undo pressure behind the knees. | | | | material is best for you. Cloth |
| The seat pan should feel comfortable | | | | upholstery, a very common choice, is |
| even after sitting for 30-60 minutes. | | | | comfortable, but isn't very resistant to |
| Insufficient cushioning and poor | | | | spills and stains and can be difficult |
| contouring can cause discomfort and hip | | | | to clean. The materials may absorb |
| and back fatigue, so the padding should | | | | moisture, and cloth-covered foam seat |
| be of a high enough quality to resist | | | | pans can be a significant source of dust |
| becoming permanently deformed. | | | | mite allergen. Vinyl and similar |
| Chair Height Consider a chair that | | | | coverings are more spill-resistant and |
| allows for easy height adjustment. The | | | | easier to clean. However, because the |
| best option is a pneumatic device that | | | | material doesn't breathe as well, it can |
| permits seat pan height adjustment while | | | | begin to heat up if used for prolonged |
| you're sitting. | | | | periods. This type of covering can also |
| Also acceptable is a spinning mechanical | | | | lack traction and therefore be |
| height adjustment. Either way, make sure | | | | uncomfortable if you are wearing |
| the adjusters are within easy reach | | | | incompatible clothes. |
| while you're seated - you shouldn't have | | | | Price The price for a good chair can run |
| to get up just to change the height of | | | | anywhere from several hundred dollars to |
| your chair. | | | | more than a thousand. Many manufacturers |
| If more than one person will be using | | | | dedicate significant resources to |
| the chair, make sure the range of | | | | scientifically designing and testing |
| heights will accommodate all users. You | | | | their chairs. Add marketing costs, and |
| should be able to adjust the height of | | | | you can see why these chairs command |
| the seat pan so that the fronts of your | | | | such high prices. That said, if you're |
| knees are level (or just slightly below | | | | among the millions who spend the |
| level) and your feet are firmly on the | | | | majority of their days sitting in a |
| ground. | | | | chair, a high quality, comfortable, and |
| Remember that a footrest can be used to | | | | healthy chair can be a very wise |
| compensate for dangling feet. | | | | investment. |
| Lumbar Support A good lumbar support | | | | |