What Is an Ergonomic Chair? | Ergonomic Chairs Direct

When you stop and think, we spend a great deal of time seated. Whether in the office or at home, prolonged sitting is a daily occurrence. A surprising majority of us not only fail to adopt good seating practises, but fail to recognise the concept all together.

In recent years, people have gone to great lengths to combat this. One of the notable ways designers have attempted to rectify this issue is through the creation of ergonomic chairs. Today, we are going to answer the common question – what is an ergonomic chair?

What Is an Ergonomic Chair? – A Brief Summary

Sitting for prolonged periods of time, improperly, comes with some serious health implications. Let us examine office workers, for example. People who work in an office may be seated at their desks for more than 30 hours a week. If good seating practises are not adopted, and good posture is not maintained, the hours add up and can place significant stress on our bodies. In an effort to diminish stress from periods of prolonged sitting, furniture creators have begun to incorporate ergonomics into design.

The discipline of Ergonomics is simple. The design of an object is examined to optimise safety and efficiency. An ergonomic chair, therefore, is a chair that has been designed to consider the health and comfort of the user. Most importantly, ergonomic chairs prioritise posture and offer support. As a result, users of ergonomic chairs are less likely to experience neck and back pain. Equally, pressure is taken off the user’s hips and, in many cases, productivity is boosted.

The Main Features of Ergonomic Chair Design

So, now we have a basic understanding of ergonomics and why it is useful. Still, you may be asking yourself what a product made within the guidelines of ergonomic chair design looks like.

There are certain features that determine whether a chair is ergonomic or not. Some chairs incorporate more features than others. Still, you can expect to find the following on an ergonomic chair:

Adjustable headrest
Lumbar support
Adjustable arm width and height
Adjustable seat pan
Seat depth
Chair height adjustment
Adjustable tilt tension
Tilt lock

These elements are brought together to provide a chair that outperforms a traditional or standard one. These features give the user more flexibility, stability and comfort.

How to Set Up an Ergonomic Chair

Although ergonomic chairs offer extra support and, in a lot of ways, outperform standard chairs, you still should make adjustments to ensure you are getting the most from your chair. Setting up your ergonomic chair in the right way will allow you to reap all the benefits that they offer. So, what is an ergonomic chair capable of?

Seat Height: The ability to adjust your seat height is a basic feature of ergonomic chairs. Your feet should be flat on the floor with your legs bent at a 90-degree angle.
Seat Depth: Often overlooked, seat depth is absolutely critical when it comes to setting up your ergonomic chair. When adjusting your seat depth, you should leave 2 and 4 inches between the edge of your seat and the back of your knees. If a seat is too deep you cannot engage with the backrest so you may as well be sitting on a stool. It is vital that you sit back on the seat so the backrest fully supports you. A seat that is too small will mean your legs are not properly supported.
Seat Tilt: Seat tilt is another really important aspect of an ergonomic chair. You need a seat angle adjustment or seat tilt to set your knees slightly lower than your hips. This will help to open the pelvis and align the natural ‘S’ shape of the spine.
Backrest: Good posture is maintained through the ability to adjust your backrest. Providing your chair has backrest height, move the back so that the lumbar area fits into your lower back.
Lumbar: Lumbar support helps to maintain the curvature of your back. Whilst lumbar support is fixed on some chairs, others allow you to adjust it. This should sit comfortably at your lower back.
Armrests: Once adjusted properly, your armrests should remain at the same height. Make sure your armrests are at elbow height when your arms are vertically against your sides. You may also be able to move the width of your armrests or pivot them. Adjust both features until you are comfortable.
Headrest: This will help support the back of your neck and minimise tension in your shoulders. If your chair has a headrest, adjust it so it meets the base of the back of your head.

What Is an Ergonomic Chair? – Understanding the Benefits

We hope we have, so far, been able to outline what ergonomic chairs are and why they are so widely popular. For those in two minds about purchasing an ergonomic chair, there are some key benefits to consider.

These include:

Improved Focus/ Productivity: Ergonomic chairs aim to maximise the comfort of the user. When it is broken down, it is fairly simple: If you are uncomfortable, and thus under stress, your ability to focus will be impaired. The correction to posture provided by ergonomic chairs improves comfort. Resultantly, you are not distracted and can maintain focus which, ultimately, boosts productivity. In an office setting, this could be invaluable.
Physical Health Is Prioritised: Although we can make every effort to maintain good posture, after time, without proper support, we are likely to revert to old habits. Once this happens, our body is again susceptible to stress as a result of sitting improperly. A normal chair demands that you are constantly mindful of your posture. One of the core principles of ergonomic chair design is to offer your body support. Neck, back, joint and hip issues will therefore be minimised through the use of an ergonomic chair. In some cases, even eliminated.
Emotional Well-Being Is Boosted: As this post has highlighted, we spend countless hours seated. Whether for work or otherwise, we are hardly able to avoid sitting for long periods of time. If the chair you are sitting in for all these hours is uncomfortable, your emotional well-being is likely to suffer. Not only this, but physical ailments can be amplified by uncomfortable / poorly constructed chairs. If you’re comfortable and your body is supported and free of tension, your emotional well-being will be secure. It’s as simple as that.

Ergonomic Chairs Direct: Experts in Ergonomic Chair Design

At Ergonomic Chairs Direct, we are firm believers in the use and benefits of ergonomic chairs. We understand the importance of postural health and wellbeing, and believe our products accurately reflect this. We are committed to sharing the benefits of our products with anyone wondering ‘what is an ergonomic chair?’.

For more information, get in touch with us today! Alternatively, try our chair builder tool that allows you to build a bespoke chair unique to you.