Are ergonomic chairs worth it – 5 tips you should know

Whether you’re working at home or adjusting your setup in an office space, you should always consider ergonomics as one of the key elements of a proper sitting arrangement. There’s no point in getting the cheapest chair and desk combo possible, if your entire body is going to suffer from a bad posture it’s forced into for hours on end. Ergonomic office chairs and furniture are a massive trend now, but even with more and more options available, finding the right one can be tricky and is never a matter of picking the better-looking one. Without further ado, here are some tips you should pick up before buying your next ergonomic office chair. 

What an ergonomic office chair should feel like? 

At first sight, most office chairs look quite similar and have roughly the same functions – they swivel, you can adjust their height, they have a curved backrest and some form of armrests to support your elbows when you’re typing. Upon closer inspection, you’ll easily see there are some big differences between certain types of office chairs and only some of them can be considered truly ergonomic. Ideally, an ergonomic office chair should relieve body pains and strains by properly supporting the key parts of your back and spine and allowing you to sit comfortably for extended periods of time. Whether you’re working at your desk for an hour, two, or 8, you should consider sitting in a way that’s safe for your body and posture. The chair should have most of its parts adjustable so that you can actually fit it perfectly for your body. 

5 tips you should know before buying an ergonomic office chair

Depending on your budget, stylistic choices and preferences, there are many ergonomic chairs to choose from available on the market. However, there are parts you should always look out for in the perfect chair:

• An ergonomic office chair should be fully adjustable. Without key elements possible to be changed and fitted for your body, a chair can never perfectly support the spine when sitting up. Let’s remember that sitting is not actually a natural and healthy position for the human body. 
• The seat. From afar, it’s just a surface you seat on, but as far as ergonomics goes, it plays a vital role in supporting your spine. The seat height should be fully adjustable to allow you to sit with your fit touching the floor flat, with your knees at a 90-degree angle. It should also be wide and deep enough so you are able to sit with your back against the backrest and a 2-4 finger-wide space between your knees and the edge of the chair. 
• The lumbar support. The lumbar is a critical region of your back – it stabilizes the upper body and affects your neck, head and shoulders. It should be properly supported to keep the natural curvature of the spine and distribute your weight equally. A chair without lumbar support leads to flattening the spine curve, which in turn causes back pain.  
• The backrest. Some ergonomic chairs have a one-piece backrest with lumbar support built-in, others are a little bit more modular with the ability to adjust certain parts separately. Both options are ok, provided that the chair is wide enough, the backrest is curved to support the natural curve of the spine and the chair allows you to move and recline freely. 
• The armrests. Often overlooked, but oh so important. The armrests should be adjustable, as they will be impacted by how high is your desk and what you are working on at the moment. When typing, your elbows should be lightly supported by the armrests – the hands should not be hanging loosely, as it puts too much strain on your wrists. 

Are ergonomic chairs worth the investment? 

Short answer: yes. Whether you’re working from home or in an office space, ergonomics should always come first and be considered while you’re setting up your workstation. The ergonomic office chair is the most important part of it all, as it’s the only element that has full contact with your body at all times.