Choosing the Right Ergonomic Chair: Seating Tailored for You

Choosing the Right Ergonomic Chair Humanscale Collections of Chairs

Every office needs chairs. That is non-negotiable.  But how easy is it when choosing the right ergonomic chair for your office?

In today’s age, people spend extensive amounts of time sitting at our desks. Studies show that ergonomic chairs and health are intrinsically linked: choosing the right ergonomic chair can impact posture, back pain, musculoskeletal health. For example, if a chair is so high that your feet dangle off the ground, it can lead to poor blood circulation and increased pressure on your knees. If a chair doesn’t align with the way your back is shaped, you will eventually have poor posture and potentially chronic back pain.

That’s why choosing the right ergonomic chairs are crucial for the office. Ergonomics in the context of the workplace are the study and design of equipment and tools aimed to suit the needs of the human body. Ergonomic chairs are a cut above all other office furniture because they are made with our health in mind. They should be able to accommodate diverse body types, improve posture, and enhance productivity.

What are some factors to consider when looking for an ergonomic chair?

Look for customization. Every aspect of an ergonomic chair is designed with purpose so it can be tailored to the individual’s needs.

Choosing the Right Ergonomic Chair Friant Zone Too Task Chair
Photo: Friant Zone Too Chair

Considering Seat Pan

Seat pans are the flat surface that you sit on. It is important that the seat pan is not too long or short for your legs; otherwise, it will prevent you from fully leaning back from the lumbar or will not properly support your knees and put pressure on them. If you cannot find a chair with adjustable seat pan, the general rule is to find one where there is a half-inch gap between the seat pan and the back of your knees.

Choosing the Right Ergonomic Chair 9to5 Seating Hag Sofi Chair
Photo: HÅG SoFi Ergonomic Task Chair

The Right Lumbar Support

Lumbar support is the back of the chair that you lean on. Adjustable lumbar support is critical to an ergonomic chair because it helps you keep your lumbar region, the lower back, aligned and prevents slouching. Choosing the right ergonomic chair that supports the natural “S” curve of your spine is necessary; if it doesn’t, it’ll tilt the pelvis and jam the joints of our lower back.

Lumbar support must be both depth adjustable and height adjustable to cater to different people.

Choosing the Right Ergonomic Chair OFS Sladr Chair
Photo: OFS Sladr Ergonomic Chair

Make Sure It’s Height-Adjustable

Your knees should bend at a 90-degree angle and your feet should always be flat on the floor to promote proper posture, better circulation, and rested legs. For this reason, even non-ergonomic chairs often come with height customization. The chair should height-adjust to accommodate people of various heights when choosing the right ergonomic chair.

The Addition of Headrests

Not all ergonomic chairs come with headrests, and that’s fine. It’s simply another aspect to consider. However, headrests are a common feature because they can keep your head and neck properly aligned with the spine.

When You Need Armrests

Armrests are an optional addition, but when ergonomic chairs do have them, they should be adjustable. There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to chairs, and the same applies here. Adjusted accordingly, armrests provide crucial support for the arms and shoulders and reduce strain on the neck and back muscles.

Choosing the Right Ergonomic Chair Humanscale Freedom Chair
Photo: Humanscale Freedom Ergonomic Chair

Choosing the Right Ergonomic Chair Recline

The ergonomic chair moves with your body, no matter how small that movement may be. That’s why options such as recline should be a factor to consider when choosing a chair. Not all work is done sitting straight up; the ability to lean back is necessary to support and relax the lower back.

Choosing the Right Ergonomic Chair OFS Butterfly Chair
Photo: OFS Butterfly Chair

Choosing the Right Ergonomic Chair Base

The base of the chair is an often overlooked, but crucial feature of seating. A good ergonomic chair has wheels and a swivel base to allow users to turn their whole body instead of just their neck, preventing strains and sprains.

Choosing the Right Ergonomic Chair Senator Circo Chair
Photo: Senator Circo Ergonomic Task Chair

Selection of Materials

The consideration you put into buying a chair should extend past ergonomics. Materials are another significant aspect to think about the choosing the right ergonomic chair.  Materials can impact daily comfort and productivity. 

Mesh is a popular lightweight fabric made with interwoven polyester or nylon fibers that promote airflow and prevent sweat. Their flexibility easily conforms to the user’s body for comfort. 

Leather offers a premium experience and is durable and long-lasting. Cleaning takes minimal effort. However, cons include the high-cost of the material and possible discomfort when the weather gets hot.

High-density foam provides lasting comfort and retains their shape and supportive properties longer. They are a reliable choice for high-use environments. On the downside, they can feel too hard and rigid for some, lacking the flexibility that mesh has in spades.

Choosing the Right Ergonomic Chair Humanscale World Chair Freedom Headrest Chair and Summa Chair
Photo: Humanscale World Chair, Freedom Headrest Chair and Summa Chair

Wrapping Up

There are many factors to consider when buying a chair because they must be as unique as the person using them. The multitude of options can be overwhelming, but it’s all a matter of preference.

At the end of the day, there’s a chair for everyone. Ergonomics ensures it.

Get Expert Help in Choosing the Right Ergonomic Chair

Stay updated with the team at 2010 Office Furniture on the latest ergonomic chair trends, and let us assist you in planning all your professional work spaces, including providing work-from-home office solutions. We design environments that enhance employee engagement and boost overall productivity.

To get started, contact us today and share your project details and requirements.  From large businesses, non-profits, government projects and small business, our office furniture experts are here to help!

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Main Photo: Humanscale Collection of Chairs
Resources & Special Thanks to Respective Product Manufacturers: HÅG, Friant, Humanscale, OFS & Senator

Choosing the Best Office Chairs to Support Well-Being, Comfort, and Productivity

How do you choose the best office chairs? Office chairs are an expected part of any corporate or home office setting. They’re everywhere and they’re important.

Why?

Sitting on an office chair isn’t a passive activity. WebMD notes that extended times of sitting will “wreck your back” and urges readers to use ergonomic chairs.

Yet, most of our workdays are spent sitting.

Think of people driving on any of the freeways in Los Angeles, Orange County, or the Inland Empire. We’re sitting in the driver’s seat, but we’re often tense navigating traffic, especially if we think we’re going to be late for a meeting.

How many times have you or someone you’ve seen been hunched over the steering wheel? Moving from a car seat to an office chair isn’t always a pleasant experience.

Our bodies are whole units and the wrong posture in a wobbly chair will stress the lower back muscles, knees, and elbows. If a laptop isn’t at the right height, then gravity pushes on our necks causing additional strain.

The chair is the foundation for an employee’s well-being and provides needed support for them to comfortably complete their tasks.

Principles for Choosing the Right Office Chair

A chair should comfortably support a person’s body weight and movements. You should be able to recline easily and maintain back support.


Photo: AMQ Tizu Chair

Ergonomic chairs let a user relax in a neutral body position which is the position the spine is in when standing. A neutral position means there’s no neck tilt. A quality ergonomic chair achieves this with three components:

  • Adjustable lumbar support
  • Adjustable arms
  • Reclining backrest

Now, a word about lumbar support.

There are five vertebrae in your lower back, also called the small of your back, that make up the lumbar spine which supports your body’s weight, surrounds and protects your spinal cord, and allows for a wide range of body motions.

Lumbar support reduces stress on your spine and can correct issues like slouching.


Photo: Friant Vektor Chair

Not all office chairs have proper lumbar support so know what you need.

Choosing Office Chairs for Functionality

All chairs should be comfortable, offer support, and be matched with the person’s job function. Let’s look at key positions in an office and understand what they do.

  • Executives spend time planning, meeting, and making decisions.
  • Receptionists facilitate communication, primarily from the outside to employees inside the company.
  • Managers who oversee people and project managers who oversee processes might alternate sitting for a few hours and meeting at their desks with others or moving to a separate location.
  • Creatives like graphic designers or programmers may want long hours to create and finish tasks with limited interaction either with clients or internal staff.
  • Vendors and clients coming to the office need comfortable seating in the lobby area before sitting either at someone’s workstation or in a designated meeting area.


Photo: ERG International Aristo Crossfire Lotus Cube Plus Series

Other needs for chairs are in breakrooms, and for training sessions or gatherings in specific spaces like conference rooms.


Photo: 9 to 5 Hag Capisco Chair

Now let’s look at the best seating solutions from 9 to 5, a leading manufacturer of ergonomic chairs and more—they’re local to the Southern California market.

9 to 5 Seating

Many chairs are cross-functional. 9 to 5 Seating is a leading manufacturer of office chairs and was a 2022 Good Design Award winner. Granted by The Chicago Athenaeum, an international Museum of Architecture and Design, the prize recognizes innovative industrial, product, and graphic designs worldwide.

9 to 5 Seating is committed to excellence in ergonomic design and quality while keeping chairs budget-friendly. Look more closely at some select models.


Photo: 9 to 5 Seating Cortina Chair

The Cortina is an executive chair that can also work well in a traditional conference room setting.

It has subtle curves along the back and the seat provides continuous support and comfort that eliminates pressure points.


Photo: 9 to 5 Agent Chair


Photo: 9 to 5 Aria Chair

For receptionists and side chairs, consider the Aria and Agent, which has six control options.

Need a welcoming chair for guests? Look at the Indy Chair, with 15 degrees of flexible back recline and lets the user stretch when seated for long periods.

A statement for lounge, reception, or meeting areas is the Jax Chair. It comes with low or high backs to create more privacy in seating areas.

Sometimes, you just need a stool. The Remy Stool is fun and is curved like a rocking chair to give the user a wide range of motion.

If there are specific models from 9 to 5 or other manufacturers you want to know about, but you don’t see them on the 2010 Office Furniture website, contact the team and let them know.

Trust the Track Record

Need input on planning your office space or furnishing any part of it? Get maximum productivity from your office design and furniture.

2010 Office Furniture’s staff has more than 50 years of combined expertise advising and outfitting clients who are recognized throughout Los Angeles County, Orange County, and the Inland Empire.

Contact them with your questions and possible project needs.

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Main Photo: 9 to 5 Capisco Puls Chair
Resources & Special Thanks to Respective Product Manufacturers: 9 to 5, AMQ, ERG International, Friant