Don’t be too Casual When Buying An Office Chair

Sizing up the chair

It is a well known and undisputable fact that people come in many different shapes and sizes, a fact which cannot be understated more; but used here it emphasizes the importance of asking the right questions about office chairs before making a decision to purchase one. First you should decide how you plan to use the chair, as this will be the determining factor in the degree of comfort you can expect to get from such use.

Keep in mind that almost all office chairs come with a variety of mechanisms designed to control features like, tilting angle, tension tightness and other parts of the chair, so it may be helpful to take a look at the various types of office chairs and their benefits, including those described in the following paragraphs.

Heavy use & moderate

Heavy use chair – These types of chairs are for those who plan on sitting at their desk for long periods of time. If this this sounds like you should it may be necessary to look for a chair with a tilting mechanism as well as a fatigue reducing device on the bottom of the chair seat. Because of this device, moving forward or backward will enable the chair to move with you in order to provide support. This will also help to support your back at all times.

Moderate use chair – If you are a typical assistant manager, or you run back and forth between your desk and other areas throughout the office on any given day, you should consider getting an office chair with a knee-tilt mechanism. This allows you to lean back in the chair, while keeping your feet firmly planted on the ground. Chairs that do not have this mechanism will typically cause your feet to lift off the ground when you lean back and forth, an action which could ultimately lead to discomfort over time. Best of all, these chairs are normally more stylish than the average task chair.

A chair for the executive

Executive office chair – These types of office chairs normally have the same types of mechanical features as moderate use chairs, although they are normally larger, more comfortable, and offer more style for the executive. They are designed for the average executive who is busy running about and spends a good deal of time either on the phone or on a computer. Comfort, style, and status are the key features when deciding to buy one of these types of office chairs.

If you want average level of security, an office chair that offers the ultimate in comfort may be an ideal purchase. You can purchase a heavy use chair, as you will probably spend a good amount of time at a desk; but if you move around a bit more than normal, you may want to go with a moderate use chair, as it will provide the comfort you need when you return to your desk.

General rules for the office chair

1. You should make sure your feet rest comfortably on the floor, and your thighs fully supported and placed square with the floor.
2. Your back should be comfortably supported. The angle that is formed by your upper legs and torso should be between 90 and 105 degrees.
3. When you tilt back it should be easy, although it should not be so easy that you are in danger of falling every time you lean back.
4. The desk chair should be customized to permit frequent changes in posture.