Should You Be Using Office Chair Armrests?
Most office workers spend roughly eight hours a day sitting in the same office chair, which can often be uncomfortable and make you feel restless after a while. But it doesn’t have to be that way. The importance of not settling for any old office chair is often overlooked, but your office chair just might be the most vital piece of furniture you buy.
Endeavouring to choose an office chair with adjustable arms, lumbar support, and customisable features will be the difference between happy working or trudging through with aching joints. Typically, consumers tend to gravitate towards office chairs with cushioned seats, but there are many other factors you should consider, including the inclusion of adjustable armrests.
Why are Office Chair Armrests Important?
Whether to buy an office chair with adjustable arms or not has been a heated topic of discussion for many years. There are three sides to this argument.
The first is, I’ve never put any thought towards whether an office chair with armrests is better than one without.
The second is, you should use a desk chair with armrests, as they support your upper limbs and reduce the pressure and load throughout your lower back when sitting.
And the final argument is: you should not use an office chair with armrests, because they create risk factors such as shoulder shrugging, stress on your forearms, and the encouragement of a leaning posture.
What may surprise you to read is that both arguments are correct, but the deciding factor depends on the positioning.
How Positioning Can Affect the Suitability of an Office Chair with Armrests
The standard office desk tends to be around 720mm in height. When looking at the seated elbow height, the ideal user should be around 6’2”, and those who aren’t this tall should adjust themselves to fit the workstation. But this adjustment can lead to shrugging, as most of us sit too low in our chairs in relation to our desks. This is where office chair armrests come in.
An office chair with adjustable arms will support your arms by holding your arms in a more comfortable position at all times while typing.
However, this is actually a red herring because although you may feel supported, the armrests are holding your shoulders in a shrugging position throughout the day, which can create tension in your neck and shoulders. If sustained for long enough, this position could be a potential risk factor for developing a musculoskeletal disorder.
However, if you ensure to sit in a natural position throughout the day, rather than forcing yourself to sit in a particular way, office chair armrests can support your elbows and forearms, and prevent stress on the musculoskeletal system. Posture is vital when it comes to sitting in an office chair with armrests. But an ergonomic chair with adjustable armrests will do most of the work for you.
Working for hours at a time without armrests or with armrests that are not adjustable could result in repetitive stress injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome and could even lead to serious neck and shoulder issues. But an ergonomic chair with adjustable armrests can help you to achieve the perfect sitting position, which will allow you to work comfortably for hours at a time.
A notable advantage of using an ergonomic chair with adjustable armrests is that they allow you to get close to your desk and reduce the need for reaching, which can cause shoulder strain after a while. Armrests adjustable by depth and height are perfect to achieve this. But why else is armrest height so important?
Armrest Height
One of the primary issues users usually encounter when purchasing an office chair with adjustable arms is not knowing how to position them properly. Users typically end up placing the armrests too high, causing shoulder shrugging, or unevenness, which can cause you to lean to the side. Leaning forces the misalignment of your spine and pelvis, which can result in long-term lower back discomfort.
Your office chair armrests should be positioned at your natural elbow position. When they are properly set, your armrests should sit just under your elbows when your hands are in your lap, allow you to sit close to your workstation, adjust to your requirements, and set at the correct width for your frame size.
When to Use Armrests
Ideally, armrests should be used intermittently throughout the day. They are arm…rests so they should be used that way. If you are set up at the correct height and your workstation is well adjusted then you should merely use your office chair armrests as a rest break when taking a phone call, reading a document or talking to a colleague.
Armrests are also beneficial when moving out of your chair as it removes the force on your hips in half.
Positioning while working
You should use your office chair armrests while typing or using your mouse, to keep your wrists straight, your upper arms close to your body, or your hands at or slightly below the level of your elbows. You will know when your office chair armrests are at the perfect height because you can easily reach the keyboard and your muscles will not feel tense or strained while you work.
To adjust your armrests correctly, you should ensure the rests are positioned just below the elbow height with your arms and shoulders relaxed. When sitting, the top of the desk should be at or slightly below your elbow height with your shoulders relaxed and palms resting on the front of the desk.
Different Styles Of Armrests And Adjustment
If you’re looking for an ergonomic chair with adjustable armrests, you should know that there are several types of adjustments to look out for and that one size does not fit all.
- Height Adjustable: At the very least, your armrests should be height-adjustable to allow you to customise your chair to achieve the perfect position. This is essential in preventing discomfort.
- Width Adjustable: An office chair with adjustable arms should allow movement towards and away from your body to suit your body size.
- Pivot/ Twist: The pads of your armrest should rotate for more flexibility and support.
- Folding: Folding adjustable armrests are especially beneficial to wheelchair users, as they will fold away, back and down when you don’t need to use them and allow more space for your wheelchair.
What Are Armrests Made From?
Just a little tidbit of information, high-quality office chair armrests are usually made of polyurethane to withstand daily use while still being durable and comfortable.
To Summarise
Although most think back support is the most important feature of an adjustable ergonomic chair, armrests are an equally essential factor to consider. You may not realise that your shoulder and back pain can be attributed to poor armrest positioning, and has less to do with the lumber support the chair offers than you thought.
Although a chair with fixed armrests may be cheaper, it is important to weigh up the long-term investment of buying an ergonomic chair with adjustable armrests and understand just how much time you will be spending on it. So, for those who put in a good eight hours a day, investing in an office chair with adjustable arms is well worth the money.
Browse our selection of high-quality adjustable ergonomic chairs at Ergonomic Chairs now to achieve a more comfortable working environment, and support your body throughout the day.