Why Is a Good Chair Important?
A chair that is not comfortable will make you miserable. If the chair causes your back to go out, neck to hurt, or head to slump forward, then it will impact your productivity and quality of life.
Sitting in an office all day can be demanding on your body. But as the Mayo Clinic discoved, it doesn’t have to be a pain in the neck. What you need is a supportive and comfortable office chair that supports good posture and gives you just the right amount of back support for long hours at work. The following guide provides an overview of what to consider when purchasing an office chair and how to avoid some common pitfalls with used chairs.
Benefits Of A Quality Office Chair
According to a study conducted by researchers at Washington State’s Department of Labor and Industries , office workers’ productivity increases by 15% when ergonomic chairs and furniture are introduced. (blog.officechairsunlimited.com)
We have all gone through periods of time when we couldn’t work comfortably. Either the seat is the wrong height or the design hurts the spine.
Using a quality chair can make a big difference in your day to day comfort. A good chair will help you work longer and more comfortably each day. It may even improve your productivity as well as reduce the risk of repetitive stress injury at work.
What Are The Different Types of Office Chair Options?
A good chair should be adjustable, comfortable and durable so it will last for years. The following are some of the various types of office chairs that are available on the market today:
- Task Office Chairs
- Executive Chairs
- Conference Chairs
- Visitor Chairs
- Ergonomic Office Chairs
Task Office Chairs
Task office chairs are usually made of mesh or leather and used in an office as a general work chair. It is meant to accommodate a wide range of body sizes and shapes. It is not adjustable, but is a good choice for a person who doesn’t need a lot of customization.
Task chairs are also sometimes called computer chairs because they are used with computers in an office.
Executive Chairs
Executive chairs are used in the office for management, administrative work, etc. They are usually designed for a single person and can easily adjust to fit their body. They have multiple adjustments such as tilt, height, and pan. It is the type of chair that professionals use in their office on a daily basis.
They are usually well cushioned and high back chairs to provide good posture support. Some even include a massage function to help relieve muscle stress and pain.
Conference Chairs
These are chairs made specifically for business meetings. They are large and are usually quite heavy. The conference chair is a good choice for a meeting room with a large number of people. It is also used for board meetings.
Visitor Chairs
Visitor chairs are also known as reception chairs. They are best for an office that sees a lot of drop-ins and need a chair that is comfortable and easy to move around. A visitor chair may not be as comfortable as a task chair but is more affordable.
Ergonomic Office Chairs
Ergonomic chairs are excellent for people who need a lot of customization in their office chairs. These chairs are often used in a work environment that demands a lot of computer use.
An ergonomic chair is one that is specifically designed to accommodate a wide range of body shapes and sizes. It is generally adjustable so that the user can find the right spot for their arms, legs and head. An excellent ergonomic office chair will allow you to adjust the chair to provide support in those specific places.
An ergonomic chair should have certain features to be an ergonomic chair such as adjustable arms and arms with a pivot point, seat slider, seat height adjustment, adjustable lumbar support and body support.
Ergonomic chairs are more expensive than task chairs, but they have a lot of benefits for your health.
Some Questions Answered About the Types of Office Chairs
1) Are ergonomic considerations important?
Ergonomic offices are designed to provide a healthy, productive work environment. They are designed to support the seating and movement of the body. An ergonomic office chair is a great choice for those who spend a lot of time seated in front of their computer.
2) What is the best chair for sitting all day?
For prolonged sitting periods, a task chair makes the most sense. They are designed to provide the support that your body needs for a long day at the office.
A task chair is generally the best option for a seated position.
3) What type of chair is best for office work?
Ergonomic offices are designed to support the seating and movement of the body. An ergonomic office chair is a great choice for those who spend a lot of time seated in their desk.
Problems When Buying Budget or Used Office Chairs
Buying used office chairs can be an alternative to buying new. It’s understandable to look for a cheaper option especially during these hard economics times. However, these five reasons may make you change your mind.
Some of these include:
- No manufacturer’s warranty
- You can’t try before you buy
- Shorter Chair Life Expectancy
- Too many decisions to make
- Not always the cheaper options
- Poor condition and not necessarily clean
No Manufacturer’s Warranty
Let’s face it… when you buy a used office chair, what assurance do you have that you are buying a quality chair? Chances are very slim that the chair will last long or even work. Without a manufacturer’s warranty what guarantee do you have that the chair will work?
You can’t bring it back to the furniture store saying that the chair doesn’t work.
You Can’t Try Before You Buy
Another problem with buying used is that you can’t try it out before you buy it. Chances are that the chairs are in very bad shape. A used chair from someone who uses it every day will not be in good condition, so you won’t know what you are getting.
Reading a used office chair review, or asking the owner to describe the condition of the chair, is your only option.
Shorter Chair Life Expectancy
A used office chair is not going to last as long as a new one. Many people who sell or buy used chairs don’t pay attention to the condition of the chair and don’t see the signs of misuse such as scratches and dents.
A used chair is more likely to be in great condition but it can not be guaranteed.
Too Many Decisions To Make
Buying a used office chair can be overwhelming. You have to decide on everything from color to how much cushion you want. Buying a used office chair is one of those decisions that you have to make one way or the other, so it’s better to go with a new one unless you know for sure that it’s in good condition and it will last a while.
Not Always the Cheaper Option
Let’s face it… you just never know what you are going to get..
Buying a used office chair at a local second-hand store may not always be the cheaper option. Spending on something new is sometimes cheaper than buying a used office chair on Facebook or at your local thrift store.
Poor Condition and Not Necessarily Clean
You often have no idea who owned the chair before you, so you can’t be sure about the cleanliness of the seat and back. You can’t be sure of the quality of the chair and how it was maintained.
What to Look for In a Seat – Top 7 Things to Consider Before You Buy
When you are looking for an office chair, there are many things to consider.
Cost and Prices
Office chairs can be expensive. If you are getting a new chair, you will probably be able to get one for prices between ksh. 20000 to ksh. 100000. You should only go for an expensive chaire if it makes money sense.
There is nothing wrong with going for a budget chair or wait for factory sales as happens at Newline. The fact is that a perfect chair doesn’t need to interfere with the company budget.
Comfort and Ergonomics
When you are sitting for long periods of time, you need to be comfortable. If you are not comfortable, you are not going to want to work. It makes sense that you would want to be comfortable. An office chair that is comfortable could help to support your back and give you a positive outlook on the work day.
Adjustable Arms and Armrests
Armrests reduce stress especially in the neck, spine and shoulders.
The arm on the chair should be adjustable. The arm on the chair should be a pivot point for the hand so that you can quickly move the arm when needed. You may be needing to move the arm to rest from time to time. Your arms should be movable and flexible in the office.
If you have to lift up things, move around a lot, or reach for things, the arm should be movable. You should consider a chair that has an adjustable arm.
Seat Height and Adjustment
Many people are looking for a chair that can adjust in height. Adjustable lumbar supports and a seat slider will help greatly when you are sitting for long periods of time. You may have certain needs when you are sitting. If you are tall and working at a desk, you may need a little extra height for your back.
If you are short and working at the computer, you may need a little extra height for your legs when you are standing. An office chair with an adjustable seat will help to reach different heights for the comfort of your body.
Swivel Office Chairs
A swivel base on the chair can benefit your health. Your chair is loading your body. A swivel base will make it easier to rotate in your chair to different positions. You could then look up to stretch or look down to rest.
A swivel chair can also help to make almost any chair more comfortable.
Ergonomic Chair
An ergo chair can help a lot to improve your health. The sales person in the office might tell you that a task chair is good enough for your body. An ergo chair can help to ensure that your back is supported. Take the time to find an ergonomic chair.
You will be happy that you did.
Upholstery and Fabric
Don’t settle for a chair that has a hard seating surface. You will want to sit in a chair to get through your entire work day. The upholstery of the chair can make a big difference in the comfort. Some people like a nice soft seating surface, and others like a firm seating surface.
You may not like a soft upholstery, but you may like a firm seating surface.
Office Space
The type and size of your office should be considered when choosing a chair. The chair needs to fit in the office space. The type of work you do will also help in the choice of a chair.
You should also consider the company brand in certain instances.
Chair With Casters
Your chair should have casters on it to make it easy to move around when needed. Chair casters can be used to move around with ease. Most new chairs are going to have casters on them. You can find office chairs with casters on them that can be floor models. Floor models typically have casters on them, and they are often sold at a low price.
Conclusion
After reading the article you may be thinking, what kind of office chair should I choose?
The first thing you should consider is the type of chair you need. You have many options with different office chairs available. Once you narrowed it down to two or three chairs you can make a solid decision that’s best for your body type.
Get in touch with us today and we shall be happy to help you choose the perfect office chair for your office today.
