Webster describes the word “ergonomic” as “an applied science concerned with creating and coordinating things people use so that the people and things interact most efficiently and safely.” In essence, which means ergonomically made items are specially designed for comfort and productivity. Ergonomic office chairs aren’t any different. They vary from standard office chairs as ergonomic chairs are created for optimum comfort and production. Typical office chairs might not have some ergonomic features like armrests, variable height, lower back support, etc. In a nutshell, ergonomic seats are going to have a higher level of flexibility compared to a regular office seat.
Why are ergonomic chairs crucial? Well, whenever you take a seat and add up the time you may be seated in the seat, it becomes critical. According to OHSA, the typical office based employee, working a 40 hour week, will spend 25-30 hours in a seated position. Over a 12 month period, that’s over 1500 hours in a seated position at work. That amount of time in a seated posture puts quite a bit of force on the lumbar section of your spine.
There are a variety of different ergonomic attributes that improve the fit and comfort of a seat. Functions like back support, arm rests, seat height, and chair angle work together to support your body. If all those features and terms have your head spinning, I’d suggest that you focus on ride height and back support as your main focus. Having a variable ride height allows you to set the chair height to your personalized tastes. The height that you choose will also impact the angle of your lower back so it’s important to try different heights. Back support plays a crucial role in your long-term comfort. Search for a seat with adjustable back support, which is also typically known as “lumbar” support in reference to the lumber section of your backbone. Also you can use the tilt function on your chair to recline yourself slightly, which will take additional pressure off your backbone.
I am aware that all these characteristics may be confusing when it actually boils down to making a choice, so it’s worth your time to understand what ergonomic options are actually important. Your level of comfort and health will play a direct role in your productivity and overall success, so take the time to review your options.