How Should a Chair Fit You?

POSTED: September 13, 2021

Anyone who works an office job understands that the type of chair you sit in at your desk can make a huge difference in your overall comfort and productivity each day. Poorly designed office chairs can cause various physical ailments and a lack of support, leading to discomfort and distraction in the workplace. With a well-designed, comfortable office chair, you can experience pain relief, better posture, and improved physical support. So, what makes the difference? How should a chair fit? What are the defining characteristics of durable office chairs? What features should be adjustable, and how do you know if they’re adjusted properly? To help answer these questions, here’s a look at the essential hallmarks of effective chair design.

1. ADJUSTABLE CHAIR HEIGHT.

When properly fitted to your body, a chair’s height should accommodate the length of your body. What does this mean? Essentially, the backrest needs to support your lumbar spine, but it also needs to be adjustable to different activities. For example, when you’re performing tasks that require upper-body mobility, you want low and narrow backrests that won’t interfere with your arm movement. When you’re sitting upright, you need support for your lower back and perhaps your upper back.

2. CHAIR WIDTH FOR VARIOUS BODY WEIGHTS.

Because people have different hip widths, you need a seat that can adjust to your body size. When properly fitted to your body, the seat will be wider than your hips, so you’re free to move.

3. ADJUSTABLE SEAT HEIGHT.

A good office chair will feature an adjustable seat height. To be adjusted properly, your chair’s seat needs to support your thighs evenly, as your feet are resting on the floor or on a footrest. If the seat is too low, your back will flatten and you’ll feel pressure over your rear end and tailbone. If it’s too high, you’ll feel pressure behind your knees and, possibly, numbness in your feet.

4. A STABLE CHAIR BASE.

Because a chair’s base is its foundation, this component is crucial for effective chair design. Look for a chair that has a sturdy base made of steel, aluminum, wood, or another stable material. Ideally, it will have five to seven legs with casters extending from a center column.

5. ADJUSTABLE ARMRESTS.

Other important features of a quality adjustable office chair include adjustable armrests, which can be moved to fit your arm length and body type. They’ll be adjustable in terms of armrest height, width, and angle to properly support your body.

If you’re looking for a better seating solution for your office environment, come to Concept Seating. Explore our online catalog to view our various products. Or, check out our list of reasons you should choose us to learn more about what we offer. With our adjustable office chair seating solutions, you gain supportive chairs that have been thoroughly tested, are made to withstand long hours in the office, adjust to a huge range of body types, and showcase sustainable materials. When you want to talk about adding durable office chairs to your business environment, get in touch with Concept Seating today!