Task Chairs 101
Choosing the Right Task Chair for Comfort and Health
On average, office workers will spend 4 to 9 hours of their work day sitting down. Some studies have equated those hours to around 2 months of sitting per year. One should consider ergonomics, durability, construction, and price when looking for the right chair.
The best ergonomic task chairs are backed by years of research and development.
Look for a chair with adjustable features like seat height, armrests, and lumbar support to ensure optimal comfort during long hours of sitting. ergoCentric’s tCentric Hybrid chairs offer adjustable option for nearly every part of where the chair connects with your body. The lumbar support on the back of the chair can even be adjusted with a hand pump.
Pictured above: tCentric Hybrid chairs from ergoCentric. The human body was not made for sitting. Lack of proper support while seated adds stress to the body, which over a period of time, can lead to muscle fatigue, circulatory problems and even spinal injuries. Proper ergonomic seating provides the support essential to your health and the comfort you need to be productive.
Ergonomics: Opt for a chair that promotes good posture and supports the natural curve of your spine. It should provide adequate back support and allow you to maintain a neutral position while seated. Many desks are now height-adjustable, so take advantage of time throughout the day to stand!
Nightingale’s CXO has a contoured thoracic lumbar support pad with ENERSORB™ foam can be easily adjusted up/down and in/out for personalized support and comfort. It also has a patent-pending spring-loaded ball bearing ratcheting system that operates the armrests, which move up/down and in/out, complete with lockable swivel and forward/backward arm pad adjustment.
Size and Adjustability: Consider the chair’s dimensions and weight capacity to ensure it suits your body type. Adjustable features can accommodate different users and preferences. Some manufacturers like Nightingale Seating produce chairs that can easily accommodate users up to 350 lbs and more. Everyone’s preferences and needs vary, so consider your individual requirements when selecting an office chair.
National’s Fuel Chair offers sweeping contours and comfortable support create the foundation for this specialty large and tall and heavy-duty 24/7 seating solution. Fuel is the perfect choice for everyday use and task-intensive applications. Featuring generous proportions and contoured foam, Fuel enhances the comfort for users of all sizes.
Material and Durability: Choose a chair made from high-quality materials that are both comfortable and durable. Look for sturdy construction and upholstery that can withstand daily use. It’s important to find a chair that is both breathable and cleanable.
Humanscale’s ergonomic home and office chairs replace heavy, complex mechanisms with the sitter’s own body weight and the laws of physics to encourage movement, providing the most comfortable chair available. The Freedom Chair is often considered the gold standard of office chairs, according to The New York Times.
Mobility: if your work requires frequent movement or reaching different areas of your workspace, consider a chair with wheels for easy mobility.
Price: Seat a budget that can explore chairs within that range. It is important to strike a balance between affordability and quality.
Try Before Buying: Whenever possible, try sitting in the chair before purchasing it. This allows you to assess its comfort and adjustability firsthand. Many commercial furniture dealerships, including Contract Furniture, Inc., will allow the customer to try a chair out before committing. CFI often allows a ‘Chair Rodeo’ when we’ll lend more than one manufacturer’s task chair to the client so several employees can test out the chairs.
If you are an employer, you will see the reasons why you should help your workers maintain the right posture and feel relaxed by using an ergonomic chair. Investing in good office chairs is an investment for your health!
