7 things to look out for when buying new Office Chairs

A fair amount of choice, benefit consideration and a hint of commitment goes into choosing a new office chair. A chair needn’t be expensive but the more you spend, the more likely you are to get a chair with good ergonomics. 

Talk to any chiropractor and their main grievance will be posture when working at a pc. Most people are not sitting correctly, not supported enough and as result carry unnecessary tension and strain in their necks, shoulders, and lower backs.  

The solution is an adjustable office chair with a backrest that supports the natural curve of your spine. Ergonomic chairs are ideal for long-term users but there are standard desk chairs have taken ergonomic elements into consideration that would suffice too. Ergonomic simply means that a chair has been designed for efficiency and comfort when working. A good quality ergonomic chair is fully adjustable to suit your body and support needs.  

When buying a chair this year, be sure to look out for the following points to ensure that your purchase is good quality, will last long and is value for money.

1. Seat Height: Ensure your seat has a height adjustment lever. This will allow you to set your chair at the right height in relation to your desk. Allowing your feet to stay flat on the floor and shoulders relaxed.
   
   
2. Seat Depth and Width: Your seat width will contribute to how comfortable you fit on the chair, too small and you’ll feel cramped. You seat depth should allow for your back to fit against the back rest, with a small gap between the end of your seat and your knees.
   
   
3. Lumbar Support: Lumbar support is a small curve in the lower section of the backrest which fits into the small of your back. Choose one that fits comfortably, removing strain from your lower back. Most ergonomic chairs will have an adjustment lever to shift the lumbar support up and down or forwards and backwards.
   
   
4. Backrest: Choose a chair that is curved to the natural shape of your spine. Some backrests allow you to tilt back and recline. This helps remove strain as well. A good quality ergonomic chair will allow you to set the tilt tension here as well, so that you don’t overextend. 
   
   
5. Seat Material: Choose a seat material that is breathable and durable with sufficient padding. A chair’s padding is designed to support your spine and vertebrae, reducing pressure on your back when you sit. The right amount of padding will depend on what is comfortable for you and for how long you intend to stay seated. Long-term users prefer memory foam seats.
   
   
6. Armrests: While having no arm rests allows for more movement and getting closer to your desk, they do serve a purpose. If you choose to have armrests, a chair with an adjustment lever here is helpful in setting the armrests to the right distance and length you need. Your forearms should rest comfortably on your armrests or on your desk and your shoulders should be relaxed.
   
   
7. Wheels and Swivel: a computer chair should swivel and move around smoothly to allow you to reach different sections on your desk without adding strain to your back. Keep in mind that plastic wheels could damage wooden floors and tiles while hard wheels will damage carpets.  

Visit our showroom, where we have made it easy for you to choose from a wide range of locally manufactured office chairs. We can assist you with choosing the correct, supportive chair for your seating needs. We are proud stockists of the Merryfair® Ergonomic Office Chair range which offer adjustable lumbar and armrest support. They also have the Donati Syncho mechanism for tilt tension setting and come with a 3-year warranty.