Dictionary.com defines the term “ergonomic” as “an applied science focused on creating and arranging things people use so that the people and things interact most efficiently and safely.” Fundamentally, which means that ergonomically designed products are specifically created for comfort and productivity. Ergonomic seats aren’t any different. They are different from regular office chairs as ergonomic seats are developed for maximum comfort and productivity. Regular office seats might not have some ergonomic features like armrests, variable height, lower back support, etc. Basically, ergonomic seats are going to have a higher level of adjustability versus a regular office chair.
Why are ergonomic seats essential? Well, when you take a seat and add up the time you may be seated in the seat, it is essential. Based on OHSA, a typical office based worker, working a 40 hour week, will spend 25-30 hours in a seated position. Over a 12 month time period, that’s over 1500 hours in a seated position at work. That amount of time in a seated posture puts a substantial amount of force on the lumbar area of your spine.
There are a number of different ergonomic attributes that boost the fit and comfort of a chair. Options like back support, arm rests, chair height, and chair angle come together to support your body. If all those options 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 seat height to your personal needs and wants. The height that you choose will also affect the angle of your lower back so it’s vital that you test different heights. Back support plays a crucial role in your long term comfort. Search for a chair with adjustable back support, which is also commonly called “lumbar” support in reference to the lumber area of your backbone. Also you can make use of the tilt function on your chair to recline yourself slightly, which takes additional pressure off your backbone.
I know that all these characteristics may be confusing when it actually comes down to making a decision, so it’s worth your time to comprehend what ergonomic characteristics are really essential. 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.
