If by now you don’t know why ergonomic chairs are important, it probably means you’re still using traditional office chairs and putting yourself at risk of some serious health issues. So, let’s quickly fix that.
If you do a 9 to 5 job or work from home, chances are that you spend over 30 hours every week sitting at a desk. While you may not think that this is a cause for concern, the fact is that continuously sitting for such long hours can threaten your health and work productivity.
Everyone experiences back pain and other kinds of discomfort after sitting for a long time at a desk. This is because sitting for long periods strains your muscles, especially your spine. But thanks to health practitioners, people are becoming more aware of the implications of prolonged sitting which has led to the popularity of ergonomic chairs.
Now, let’s talk about what ergonomic chairs are exactly and why they are so important.
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What Are Ergonomic Chairs?
Ergonomic chairs are designed specifically with user comfort in mind. Ergonomic chairs are those types of chairs built to improve posture, offer support and enhance comfort. These types of chairs are good for the reduction of back pain and the improvement of productivity.
A typical ergonomic chair comes with plenty of comforts and offers adjustable features from seat height to armrests and more. All of these features enable users to seat correctly and comfortably for hours and also help to boost productivity.
So, Why Are Ergonomic Chairs So Important?
1. Supports Proper Posture
The major reason for discomfort after sitting for a long time is improper posture. Because of the way regular chairs are built, they tend to have you leaning forward when seated, and that kind of position does not bode well for your spine.
This is one of the reasons ergonomic chairs stand out from regular chairs. Their shape and features are designed to put you in the natural sitting posture. With such support for good posture, comfort is easily achieved.
2. Increases Comfort
Because traditional chairs do not support proper posture, you’re likely to experience discomfort in different parts of your body such as your lower back and neck regions due to prolonged sitting.
But ergonomic chairs are built to properly support those vital areas of your body that usually receives tension from extensive sitting. The result of this is a reduction in body pains and an improvement in comfort.
3. Adjustable Designs for Different Users
Individual needs are just as different as individuals themselves. For this reason, it’s important to have a flexible chair to suit people of different stature, especially in the workplace. This is where task chairs come into play.
Their ergonomic designs allow for adjustability to accommodate workers of different heights and widths so that they can sit in comfort and focus more on their work. Some adjustability to expect are seat height, back recline, armrests, seat depth, etc.
4. Reduces Muscle and Hip Stress
Oftentimes, our muscles and hips bear the burden of sitting for extensive periods. However, ergonomic chairs tackle this issue by helping you stay completely relaxed in the proper sitting position.
This means that you won’t feel any kind of stress or pain in your muscles and your entire body. And if you have existing muscle or body pain, using an ergonomic chair can help to reduce your pain.
By providing ample seat depth, your hips gain support and all the pressure from carrying the weight of your body is greatly reduced.
5. Boosts Productivity
Studies have proven over time that a person’s work furniture can have a tremendous impact on their work efficiency. We know how hard it can be to focus and give your best when you’re uncomfortable.
But with an ergonomically designed chair, you are assured of the kind of comfort that breeds efficiency. With features such as lumbar support, well-padded seat cushion, swivel, caster wheels, adjustable features like armrests, seat height, footrest, headrest, and other features, you can work more comfortably and conveniently from your chair.
The best part is that you can move around your desk and workspace easily without having to get up too often or placing so much tension on your body.
6. Safety is Guaranteed
Part of what makes a chair ergonomic is the inclusion of safety features in its design. Most chairs in this category have gone through safety trials and tests and have been certified to assure user safety.
So, if you want to guarantee safety for yourself, your household, or your employees, then you should invest in some ergonomic chairs.
7. Durability is Guaranteed
This is an important factor for anyone to consider if they’re thinking about why they should invest in an ergonomic chair. A chair can be great in every aspect but if it doesn’t last, it’s a waste of good money.
One of the great things about ergonomic chairs is that most of them are built with long-term use in mind. They are typically designed with materials that allow for easy mobility, flexibility, and continuous use without breaking down easily. So, you can rest assured that you won’t be throwing your money away on a chair that won’t last.
Moreover, most ergonomic chairs come with a warranty that you can take advantage of if need be. So, if by any chance you purchase a chair that malfunctions or breaks down in no time, you can get the company to repair it or ask for a replacement.
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How to Recognize a Great Ergonomic Chair
A typical ergonomic chair includes many features that can facilitate good posture, and offer support and comfort for long hours of sitting. They also offer many adjustable features. A great ergonomic chair may include the following features.
1. Seat and Backrest Padding
An ideal ergonomic chair will come with sufficient padding on the seat and backrest so that you can sit comfortably for long hours.
2. Lumbar Support
This is probably the most important feature of an ergonomic chair. The lumbar support ensures that your body maintains its natural curve, which is the ‘S’ shape. By providing support in the lumbar region, stress in the spine, lower back, and pelvis, is relieved; slouching is avoided, good posture is achieved, and ultimately, comfort.
3. Adjustable Features
The best ergonomic chairs include fully adjustable features from backrests to headrests, to height, and more to suit various needs.
Adjustable features that make a great ergonomic chair include an adjustable seat recline and tilt, adjustable lumbar support, adjustable armrests, an adjustable headrest, an adjustable seat height, and an adjustable footrest.
4. Comfortable Materials
When you’ve been sitting for a long time, you’re bound to sweat on your back and thighs which could cause discomfort. This is why the best ergonomic chairs use breathable materials to provide comfort for prolonged sitting.
5. Wheels and Swivel
The wheels and swivel features allow easy navigation around your workspace. Most ergonomic chairs support swivel up to 360. This means you don’t need to stress too much or get up from your seat whenever you want to grab something or reach other parts of your desk.
6. Headrest
Although not every ergonomic chair comes with a headrest, it is a great feature to look out for. The headrest provides support to your neck and head while allowing tension in your upper torso to be relieved.
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