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