How to Choose a Good Study or Work Chair?
Your office chair is one item present in your workplace whose quality you should never compromise on. Sitting in an incorrect manner can lead to a wide range of musculoskeletal problems; hence, it is essential to have a chair that will enable you to sit in the best position.
A good study or work chair follows your body movements, drastically reduces the risks of strains and injuries, and helps you sit in the right manner, regardless of how long you spend sitting each day. However, there is no one-size-fits-all because what works for one individual may not work for another, even in the same working environment.
Now, let us see how to choose a good study or work chair.
- Evaluation of the Adjustment Capabilities of the Chair
- Check for the ability to adjust the height of the chair: The height of your study or work chair should be completely adjustable. The seat of the chair should be extremely easy to move either downwards or upwards. This adjustment will permit individuals of different heights to sit comfortably in the chair. Ensure that you can adjust how low or high the seat is prior to purchasing the chair.
- Take who will be using the chair into consideration: Before you zero in on a study or work chair, you would surely want to consider who will be making use of the chair. The chair must comfortably fit all those who shall sit in it or have the ability to be successfully adjusted to fit them. Ensure that your chair is an ideal fit for everyone in the office prior to investing in one.
- Ensure that all elements of the chair can be adjusted: A good office chair will permit you to adjust every element of the chair by itself. You must be able to move the seat, armrests, and back support independently of each other. This level of customization will surely allow you to make the chair an optimum fit for anyone that could be using it.
- Evaluation of the Back Support of the Chair
- Check the chair for appropriate upper as well as middle back support: A good study or work chair will surely offer complete upper as well as middle back support. If you are planning to sit for extended periods of time, support to the back and its natural shape will be vital in the prevention of strain and injuries. Ergonomic chairs have excellent upper and middle back support.
- Check the chair’s lumbar support: Chairs that do not offer optimum lumbar support will have a damaging as well as flattening effect on the lower back. The lower back is naturally curved inward, and chairs that are poorly designed will eventually cause this curve to straighten out. Ensure that your chair helps in the maintenance of the natural curvature of your lower back to ensure that your back stays healthy and strong.
- Ensure that the backrest can be successfully reclined or adjusted: The ability to recline and adjust the back of your chair will surely affect the amount of weight that is placed on your lower back. If there is a necessity to be seated for the majority of the day, reclining can surely help in relieving pressure on your spinal discs as well as the muscles of the lower back.
- Evaluation of the Seat of the Chair
- Ensure that the seat is the appropriate size for you: Seats that are too large or too small can eventually affect your comfort as well as health while you make use of them for long periods. When you are seeking out a good study or office chair, you must ensure that the seat is the perfect size for you as well as others who may use it. The seat should be ideally about an inch wider than your hips. The seat pan must be positioned just behind the knees.
- Check the seat’s padding: You would surely be spending a lot of time in your office or study chair. Hence, you will want to ensure that your chair has proper and adequate padding to help in ensuring comfort as well as ergonomic support. Check if the chair is created from high-quality foam prior to making that all-important purchase.
- Check if you can tilt the chair’s seat: Though the ability to tilt the seat of your chair is quite often optional, you may still want your chair to include this feature. This is because tilting the seat can help in maintaining adequate and proper posture while sitting. If you feel that this feature will help in more comfortable sitting, seek a chair that has this capability.
- Finalising Your Choice
- Try out your chair in person: Though you can successfully learn a lot about a chair by reading the specifications, it is best to try a chair out in person. By sitting in a chair, you will gauge its comfort levels and surely check if it can be adequately adjusted to suit your needs. Whenever possible, examine a study or work chair in person to ensure that it is the perfect one for your needs.
- Consider the details: There are a plethora of features to consider prior to purchasing the perfect study or work chair. Because there is so much to take into consideration, several aspects of the chair may be overlooked. Consider the following elements before finalising your choice:
- Chair bases must have five spokes.
- The casters of the chair must move freely and easily.
- You may need a footrest if the height of the chair is too high and cannot be successfully adjusted.
- You may be confused as to which chair covering is best. Vinyl coverings are easier to clean, but they do not breathe well. Cloth seat covers permit better airflow, but they are tougher to clean.
- Think about different styles: There are umpteen types and styles of chairs for office use. These chairs will eventually differ from traditional styles of chairs because each chair will come with its own unique set of advantages and benefits. Some of the chairs that you should consider having a look at include kneeling chairs, saddle chairs, exercise balls, and reclining chairs with footrests.
The Bottomline
After you have zeroed in on some chairs that successfully suit your needs, it will still be a tad difficult when it comes to choosing the chair’s design. Both traditional and contemporary chairs are available in plenty, and that, too, in diverse colours. Ultimately, you will have to take a call based on your preferences and budget.