The Best Ergonomic Office Chairs of 2017 (Plus Complete Buying Guide and Reviews)

Safe Computing Tips has been experts in ergonomically safe office and home equipment since 2005. We’ve pulled together extensive reviews of the best ergonomic chairs on the market in 2017.

Below you will find our Top 5 picks for 2017. We’ve also included extensive reviews of each pick, along with a full buying guide for your home office equipment. Enjoy!

For our full reviews of this high end chairs, see below:

#1 The Embody Chair by Herman Miller

Coming in #1 in our 2017 analysis is the Embody Chair by Herman Miller. As a brand known for its high sense of luxurious detail and focus on scientifically proven ergonomics, Herman Miller doesn’t disappoint with The Embody Chair.

As you sit down, you can feel the chair contour to your body, providing support in your lower back, buttocks, arms, shoulders and neck. Easily customizable to your specific needs, with an effortless range of motion, it satisfies all the qualitative aspects of what a good chair should be.

But how does it stack up to our analysis of the perfect chair? Let’s take a look at our list of factors:

• Seat Height and Dimensions – 5 out of 5 – One of the key features of Herman Miller is the scientific design that goes into their products. With this in mind, the seat height and dimensions of the chair are 100% on point. 5 out of 5.
• Lower Back (Lumbar) Support – 5 out of 5 – Another perfect score here. Starting at the base of the spine with “sacral support”, it provides a backrest adjustment functionality to find tune to your exact needs. You can definitely feel the difference with this one compared to some other chairs on the market.
• Adjustability – 5 out of 5 – The adjustable nature of this chair, including seat height, back tilt, backrest, and armrest, sets the gold standard for all other chairs on the market.
• Materials – 5 out of 5 – Closing out our evaluation factors with a perfect score, the materials section deserves it’s own explanation. In the words of the manufacturer, the backrest and seat are “constructed using a dynamic matrix of pixels that respond to the the body’s movements and prevent heat buildup“. Furthermore the outermost layer is a proprietary material called “Rhythm”, a breathable textile developed for use by Herman Miller.

They’ve really thought of everything on this one, and we’ve rewarded it with our #1 rating for 2017.

#2 Herman Miller Classic Aeron Task Chair

Another entry from Herman Miller, and it’s no surprise that they are taking up our top 2 spots in our 2017 guide. The Aeron chair made waves several years ago when it was introduced to the market, and it’s innovative design and approach to ergonomics continue to put the competition to shame.

Priced a bit more competitively than The Embody Chair, the Classic Aeron maintains the support and adjustable features, while also allowing for an additional head rest (ordered separately). It holds high marks across the boards, so let’s take a look at our factors we’ve evaluated:

• Seat Height and Dimensions – 5 out of 5 – Coming in 3 broad categories (large/medium/small), you should pick the best one for your body size. After that, however, the chair is highly customizable and adjustable. They’ve thought it all out when it comes to the science behind chair size and ergonomics, so this one definitely satisfied our standards, enough to get 5 out of 5.
• Lower Back (Lumbar) Support – 5 out of 5 – Probably the most important factor for most people, how does the chair support the lower back? If you don’t remember, this chair sent waves through the office chair landscape when it was first introduced, largely because of the comfort and support it offers for the lower back. This has only improved with their newer offerings, but the original Aeron is still a 5/5 on our scale.
• Adjustability – 5 out of 5 – This is a highly adjustable chair, it has adjustable arm rests, a “tilt limiter” which sets how far back you can recline (with 3 different settings), “posture fit” lumbar support, and of course seat height is fully adjustable. One thing that is not adjustable is “seat depth”, so it’s important to pick an appropriate chair size when you order (i.e. small/medium/large).
• Materials – This chair uses a material called “Pellicle”, which is a mesh that dissipates heat as you sit, so as to remain comfortable for long periods of time. Materials are definitely a crucial aspect of anything ergonomic, and they’ve definitely taken care of that for this one.

The quality of Herman Miller chairs can’t really be rivaled. If you are looking for the highest quality chairs, you’ll want to go for the Embody or the Aeron. If you are going to spend 8 hours a day in the chair, why not go for the best of the best?

#3 Eurotech Seating Ergohuman

Rounding out the top 3 is an entry from another long time player in the ergonomic market. Eurotech seating has been around since 1979 and it’s been providing some of the highest quality products since their inception. Still top of the line, the Ergohuman provides a bit of a price break from the Aeron and The Embody, but still offers comparable quality.

We’ve tested both, and the results are very similar to the Aeron, both in form and material. User feedback shows that many even prefer the Ergohuman to the Aeron (or Aeron imitators), and I’m sure the cost savings play a role in that as well.

Taking a look at our evaluation factors, we see very high scores across the board:

• Seat Height and Dimensions – 4.5 out of 5 – While this is highly adjustable, it does not come in small/medium/large like the Aeron and others. Therefore it may not be the best for the very big and tall or the very small. However, for the majority of people it won’t be an issue and the dimensions will work just right.
• Lower Back (Lumbar) Support – 4.5 out of 5 – While it does provide back support that many users raved about, it does not provide an adjustable lumbar support. Nonetheless, it will probably fit you just fine, and it comes with many other adjustable options. However, if lower back pain is a big issue for you, you may want to opt for another model that comes with adjustable lumbar support.
• Adjustability – 4.0 out of 5 – Comes with many standards adjustable features like seat height, back angle adjustment, as well as tilt limiter and “synchro-tilt”. This model does not come with “seat depth”, although similar models like the Ergo Human LEM4ERG do. This features are more then enough for most, but with the high expectations at this price range we’ve decided to only give this model 4 stars.
• Materials – 4.5 out of 5 – This model is fully mesh which dissipates heat really well and works great for long sessions at the computer. Other models have leather seats, but this one is fully mesh and is very comfortable for long hours.

Overall this is a very solid chair that got great reviews from our in-house team and also seems to get great feedback from customers. At a competitive price-point for high-end chairs, it’s definitely worth keeping on your short list as you evaluate your options.

#4 Office Factor Ergonomic High Back Executive Managers Chair

A very nice alternative to the top of the price range is the High Back Executive Managers Chair from Office Factor. Users still report high quality and a very comfortable sitting experience compared with the highest priced options from Herman Miller. It comes with a head rest, which is good for those that do a lot of gaming (or those that simply prefer head rests), and its nice to not have to track down the add-on before or after purchasing.

Very adjustable, everything from lumbar support to arm rests, tilt lock and seat height. Also comes with a very wide base and is rated for up to 300 pounds, which makes reclining a much better endeavor than some lower grade chairs. If price is an consideration, but you still want to stay high grade, this might be the sweet spot.

Let’s take a look at our evaluation factors:

 

• Seat Height and Dimensions – 4.5 out of 5 – It loses a half a point because it doesn’t come in multiple sizes, but that really shouldn’t be an issue for the vast majority of people. Being highly adjustable on almost all fronts means that you can find the perfect combination of adjustments to make your time in the chair as comfortable as possible. We also love the wide base, which allows for far recline without the threat of tipping over.
• Lower Back (Lumbar) Support – 5 out of 5 – Users love the back support that this model gives, and our in-house tests show similar rave reviews. Throw in the adjustable lumbar support and you get a quick 5 stars. This one really is a great buy, especially for the price.
• Adjustability – 5 out of 5 – Highly adjustable, including lumbar support as mentioned above, arm rests that configure in multiple ways, tilt lock and of course seat height adjustment. Has much more than some of the competition, so it gets 5 stars on this factor.
• Materials – 4.0 out of 5 – Our materials evaluation is a mixed bag. While the construction is very sturdy, the fabrics and mesh aren’t very impressive, at least compared to the higher end chairs in our list. Nonetheless, what it lacks for in fancy fabrics and materials it makes up for in usefulness. The wide base and sturdy construction will help insure a long lasting product that will hold up to extended use over time.

While it’s ranked #4 on our list based on objective and qualitative reviews, it’s in the “sweet spot” when it comes to price. Not the most expensive, but still listed among the higher end chairs. If you are look for this type of combination, this might be the chair for you.

#5 Serta Wellness by Design Mid-Back Leather Office Chair

Rounding out our top 5 is the Serta Wellness by Design office chair. This one has some really handy features that help to improve posture and encourage a neutral back, but comes in at a significantly lower price point than the others in our list. If budget is a concern, this may be a great option for you.

As we’ve mentioned before, lower back support is one of the most important aspects of any office chair. Maintaining a neutral spine will help to avoid bad posture, improve blood flow and support proper positioning throughout the rest of the body. The Serta Wellness by Design takes an innovative approach to this by its “posture-correcting tilt technology” which works to push your pelvis forward as you lean, so you don’t slump and slouch your way into a poor position.

Let’s take a look at how the Serta stands up to our evaluation factors:

• Seat Height and Dimensions – 4.5 out of 5 – Height and dimensions are relatively standard and should fit most all body types. Height and tilt are adjustable, as well as arm rests, to account for personalization and tweaks. Doesn’t come in more than one size, so we’ve docked it a half a point.
• Lower Back (Lumbar) Support – 5 out of 5 – The “posture-correcting” technology is certainly innovative, and it addresses a common issue with users moving around and slouching into poor posture. Definitely worth a 5 out of 5 for this one.
• Adjustability – 4 out of 5 – Pretty standard height, tilt and arm rest adjustments, but nothing super-fancy. We’ve come to expect a lot from the high-end chairs, so we’ve docked this one a full point.
• Materials – 4.0 out of 5 – While many people love the look and feel of leather, it doesn’t do much to dissipate heat and provide a comfortable environment for extended periods of time. Because leather doesn’t breathe very well, heat will build up over time. We’ve docked it a full point for this reason, but for short periods of time its a very comfortable chair, and the black leather certainly looks good from afar.

So in summary, this is perfectly serviceable chair, especially for the price. If you need to purchase multiple chairs or otherwise trying to cut costs, this is a great chair. If you are looking for the highest quality chair on the market, you might want to go with one of the other high-end chairs on our list.

 

#6 GM Seating Ergonomic Executive Genuine Leather Dream Chair

The GM seating Ergonomic Executive Genuine Leather Dream Chair is an attractive and competitive alternative to the relatively top of the range high back executive chairs. Most users agree, this chair is a high-end and high quality option that offers a very comfortable sitting experience compared to other high-end chairs.

Although some users complain that the controls are a bit confusing at times, the GM Seating Dream Chair comes with a full range of adjustable features, including head rest, tilt tension control, tilt lock, back angle, seat height and arm height.

It’s a great option for those that do a lot of gaming, or spend a good number of office hours. It also comes with a headrest, which can be removed or adjusted per your preference.

It is quite adjustable and comfy, judging from the arm rests, tilt lock and seat height controls. This model also comes with a 25 inches wide base and weights up to 48 pounds, which makes it easier to move around with, say in the office, than some other higher grade chairs.

Evaluation factors are below:

• Seat Height and Dimensions – 5 out of 5 – At a height of 28 inches and depth of 19 inches, the 25 inches wide GM seating Ergonomic Executive Genuine Leather Dream Chair is highly customizable and adjustable to deliver maximum comfort all day.
• Lower Back (Lumbar) Support – 3.5 out of 5 – There are plenty of adjustments on this seat to keep you comfortable for extended periods of time except for the controls not being personalized since one has to re-position into the correct posture of the seat for greater comfort. Thus if you have a problem with the lower back you might want to opt for another model.
• Adjustability – 4.5 out of 5 – This chair is easy to adjust up or down, the arm rests are adjustable and so is the head rest. Its adjustability includes tilt tension control, tilt lock, back angle, seat height and arm height.
• Materials – 4.5 out of 5 – From the name, The GM Seating Ergonomic Executive Genuine Leather Dream Chair is made of genuine calfskin leather which promotes and offers increased support for the user. The chrome/polypropylene with nylon casters completes the base. The chair is made up of 97% recyclable components. The calfskin leather design is also responsible for its quality and fancy look. If you prefer mesh, as many do, there is a mesh option available as well.

Generally, this is a great chair to look out for judging from its ergonomic design and comfort. While it’s still a high-end chair it does undercut the price point of it main competitor, the Aeron from Herman Miller, and this gives it a good advantage among the other high end chairs in the market. The attractive design and look of this chair will also go a long way in pulling your interest to it.

#7 The Steelcase Gesture Task Chair

The Gesture Task Chair is a convenient office chair and offers exceptional arm support for extended periods of time to its users. It is spacious and ergonomic especially to the arms and lower back because of it being flexible at the perimeter to allow users sit in a range of postures with minimal obstruction. However, this chair does have quite a high end pricing compared to other office and even gaming chairs. According to most of its users, It offers a comfortable sitting experience because it “provides support and adjustability where and when you need it. The highly adjustable arms are the best part as you can easily re-position them to be useful for different activities take for example typing.” Some of the users however complain that it “does not come with an optional lumbar support and adjustment ability.” The “Gesture” comes with a dimension of 24 x 35 x 45 inches and is up to 78 pounds heavy.

Let’s check out its evaluation factors as below:

• Seat Height and Dimensions – 3.5 out of 5 – It has dimensions of 24 x 35 x 45 inches and weighs in at 78 pounds.

• Lower Back (Lumbar) Support – 4 out of 5 – It is flexible at the perimeter to allow users to sit in a range of postures without obstruction. Created for the way we work, it is strategically adjusted to fit in the way we work and live nowadays.
  

• Adjustability – 4.5 out of 5 – Its arms move like a human arm which allows users to be supported in any position they find comfortable. Arms and shoulders remain supported regardless of the device being used. It is quickly adjustable and takes into account various body types and sitting preferences. It has a new sitting experience designed with a back and seat that move as a synchronized system moving with each user to provide continuous and persistent support.

• Materials – 3 out of 5 – The seat is made up of platinum metallic frame or base that gives it the strong look and ability to provide various customizations. The other material used on the seat is fabric.

The customization of the arms is something to go by because it enables the user to re-position in a manner most comfortable. The chair is also fairly well constructed and ergonomic. The chair, however, does not come with the optional lumbar support and adjustment ability hence the lower back is not fully comfortable to the user. This chair is perhaps best suited to be used in offices where concentration is considered more than relaxation. Therefore, this is preferably the best chair on the market for an office.

#8 ANCHEER Ergonomic Office Chair with Adjustable Lumbar Support

The ANCHEER is designed to offer you superbly excellent ergonomic and lumbar support during extended periods of work. Its mesh provision allows for body cooling and prevents body moisture build up. To add icing on the cake, its price point is relatively low compared to comparable models.

Evaluation factors are as outlined below:

• Seat Height and Dimensions – 5 out of 5 – It comes with a seat height of 36-19.70 inch (Adjustable) and depth of 16.77 inch. Its seat is 19.89 inch wide and has a seat back size of 20.28-21.45 inch. It also comes with a pillow size of 10.92 inch for maximum comfort. It has an adjustable armrest height of 7.02-8.97 inch and also an adjustable chair height of 42.9-45.24 inch making it quite personalized for its users. It weighs in at 38 pounds (17kg).

• Lower Back (Lumbar) Support – 5 out of 5 – The Ancheer has an adjustable lumbar support that ensures longer periods of comfort. Its “scooped design” helps you to sit centrally with support from the backrest. The front edge of the seat has a “waterfall” design, which makes sure there isn’t pressure spots on the back of your legs during long sessions. The seat is cushioned and upholstered in a durable mesh fabric that provides you a cool and breathable feeling when seated on it. The mesh is also designed to provide exceptional back support and to prevent body heat and moisture build up.

• Adjustability – 4.5 out of 5 – The seat has an adjustable Lumbar support which is very convenient for padding the lower back. The T shaped arm height is adjustable and has been topped with a comfortable sculptured pad, which has been formed to allow maximum support for your arms. The head rest and seat are also adjustable to fit user preferences. The adjustable tension for leaning helps the user lean back and forth in a convenient manner. In addition to the seat pedestal adjusting up and down, and the back tilting, the seat adjusts forward or backward and the back is adjustable vertically so it fits your exact body size.

• Materials – 4 out of 5 – As stated above, the Ancheer is made up of high density and high strength polyester mesh material. The Contemporary ergonomic mesh is designed to reduce body moisture build up and offer aeration to the user. However, it is not as sturdy and stable as some would hope. It is possible to for larger individuals to risk tipping over if they recliner too far, and this has to do with a slightly narrow base. This shouldn’t much of a problem for the average users, however, so we’ve only docked 1 point.

Although this may be a relatively inexpensive version of the mesh chairs, its quality is quite higher and the design is attractive. If you have spine trouble and/or just need good lower back support without opting for the higher priced options, this might be for you.

#9 Merax Racing Style High Back Gaming Chair w/ Footrest

The Merax High Back Spacious Racing Style Gaming Chair Recliner is spacious, easy to adjust and/or use, eye catchy and has quite low pricing. According to most users, it offers a comfortable sitting experience because of its headrest, armrest and seat padding. Some users however complain about its inability to recline like a normal chair. The Merax is made up of a headrest, armrest, padding and seat height adjustability for its users, which is especially great for those that do a lot of gaming. The Chair comes with a 27-inch wide base and is up to 38 pounds heavy. If a lot of gaming and office work is your thing, this might be your best bet.

Evaluation factors are below:

• Seat Height and Dimensions – 5 out of 5 – At a width of 27 inches, depth of 24 inches and a height of 46-48 inches, the Merax is easily adjustable to offer great comfort. This is evident through its seat height which is conveniently adjustable from 18-20 inches depending on the user’s preference.

• Lower Back (Lumbar) Support – 4 out of 5 – With its weight capacity of 225lbs, the Merax has an ergonomic lumbar back pillow for greater back support. The lumbar back pillow has more padding hence support is better and in addition, there are also cushions on the arm rest for enhancing user comfort.

• Adjustability – 3.5 out of 5 – As stated above on the seat’s height and dimensions, its seat height is easily adjustable from 18-20 inches depending on one’s own preferences. However, the lower rating is because of its inability to recline like a normal chair. It requires the user to release the lever to adjust the recliner which causes a little instability when leaning forward. Its convenience is that it is easy to adjust similar to a car chair and folds all the way down. It can also be locked at any reclining angle up to 160degrees.

• Materials – 4.5 out of 5 – It has quality material made up of PU leather and has a soft spacious seat with sturdy base which offers superb comfort and stability .The arm and head rests are thickly padded for further comfort.

In summary, the Merax is a perfect chair especially for gaming (even from the name) and office work. It can also be used at home because of its ergonomic design and superb comfort. Its similarly low-priced price-point as well gives it a good bargain to users compared to its other high end competitors in the market. The seat also has quite a catchy and attractive design that would impress any user who values class and elegance.

#10 DXRacer Boss Series Big and Tall Chair

The DXRacer Boss Series Big and Tall Chair is sure to become your seat of choice for working and relaxing because, unlike other chairs in the market, it has a higher backrest easy to adjust and/or use to save the neck and spine. Its ergonomic and quite eye catchy design ensures its efficiency and comfort. In terms of pricing, this chair has a rather moderate pricing. According to most users, the chair offers a comfortable sitting experience because of its higher backrest and straight armrests that protect shoulders and wrists. The DXRacer is made up of a backrest, armrests, cushioning and seat adjustability for its users, which is especially great for those who do a lot of office work or spend lots of time on their computers (i.e. gaming, etc). The Chair comes with a high weight capacity of 204.1 kg and is up to 73 pounds heavy.

Evaluation factors are below:

• Seat Height and Dimensions – 5 out of 5 – The chair comes with a maximum seat height of 22.5 inches and a minimum seat height of 18.5 inches. Its maximum arm height is 31 inches and a minimum of 24 inches. It has a backrest height of 36 inches and a backrest shoulder width of 25 inches. Its weight capacity is up to 204.1 kg.

• Lower Back (Lumbar) Support – 4 out of 5 – The DXRacer has straight armrests to protect shoulders and wrists. The back and seat padding is firm to offer support to the lower back. It also comes with an add-on Lumbar cushion and a headrest designed on the back rest plus a higher backrest to support the entirety of a user’s spinal column, from the pelvis to the neck.

• Adjustability – 4.5 out of 5 – The seat is made up of an adjustable system, the height and angle of the chair can be adjusted to any degree. In addition, it has an adjustable height gas-spring allowing the user to adjust for varying heights to better meet the needs of their office or computer desk, and an adjustable backrest down to a comfortable position for the user. The heavy tilt mechanism ensures its adjustable seat flexibility and superb comfort.

• Materials – 4 out of 5 – The chair is made up of leather style vinyl and metal. The metal provides its strong ability to carry quite a large weight capacity as compared to other chairs. The chair also has a full size frame inside.

Generally, if you need a chair for office work or simply just your computer desk, the DXRacer will work quite well and efficiently serve your needs. It offers its customers the ultimate level of luxury and superb comfort.

The Ultimate Buying Guide to Ergonomic Chairs

Safe Computing Tips has been dedicated to providing the best ergonomic and RSI related content since 2005. 12 years later, in 2017, we are still as dedicated as ever to providing the best possible information and guides to our users.

Today, we’d like to walk through the evaluation and buying process for one of the most important aspects of a workstation, the ergonomic office chair.

Let’s start with the basics, why exactly is it so important to be ergonomic in a workplace?

Why are Workplace Ergonomics so Important?

As far back as workers have been asked to perform multiple tasks over and over again, there has been what came to be known as “Repetitive Strain Injury” or RSI. Many people will think this goes back to the rise of the computer age, but the history goes much further than that.

RSI in some form dates as far back as 1700, with one of the most prominent and debilitating forms, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, being first identified in 1854.

Just some of the problems that can arise from repetitive, non-ergonomic tasks:

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Trigger-Finger
• Repetitive Strain/Stress Injuries
• Nerve Compression Syndromes
• Tendonitis
• Bursitis
• Arthritis

Anyone who has suffered through these or other forms of RSI knows that it can be extremely painful and could possibly affect someones livelihood, necessitating medical attention, medications, even surgeries.

Due to this fact, the proper practice of ergonomics in the workplace have been studied and developed over the past 40 years, leading to many products that can help to make the workplace a comfortable place. One of the most important of these ergonomic products is the office chair, which serve to be the base of an ergonomic workstation.

But before we can talk about how a chair can help avoid RSI and poor posture, let’s take a quick look at some of the factors that lead to it in the first place…

Factors that Contribute to Poor Posture and RSI

There are several factors that can be a cause of RSI and other issues, and many of these related to poor workplace ergonomics. We will discuss these in more detail below:

• Lack of Education on correct Posture – One of the primary causes of poor posture is simple ignorance of what correct posture should be. “Knowing is half the battle”, as the saying goes.
• Muscle Weakness/Decreased Fitness – Muscle weakness, especially the “core” muscle groups of the abdominals and back, can tend to cascade to other parts of the body and lead to poor posture, slouching, leaning and other compensatory movements. Maintaining a fit muscle core will help to avoid unnecessary leaning and slouching, and avoid potential RSI as a result.
• Localized pressure/decreased blood flow – Most commonly caused by leaning on desks, keyboards or armrests, the chronic pressure on one part of the body can cause a decrease in blood flow and ATP to muscles and tendons.
• Repetitive Tasks – As the name implies, RSI can be caused in various ways by the repetition of tasks, such as typing (often associated with carpal tunnel syndrome), clicking a mouse (often associated with trigger finger) or other movements. If the tasks must be done, as is the case with most office jobs, the best way to avoid this is to create a more ergonomic workstation.

While some of these elements are user dependent (i.e. muscle weakness or education), there are some that can be helped or solved by a better use of office workstation equipment, in particular chairs and desks. Let’s look at how utilizing a specialized chair can speak to some of these elements.

How Can Ergonomics Help?

Now that we know some of the factors that can lead to RSI and poor posture, how can chairs or other workstation elements help to avoid these?

Proper Support

One of the root causes of RSI is localized pressure on one or more areas of the body. This is often the cause of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), which is caused by too much pressure on the wrist/forearm area. The same effect can cascade through the muscle and skeletal groups and affect the back, neck and shoulders.

The proper support from a chair and desk will avoid this localized pressure, and even distribute the weight of the body throughout the back, bottom and arms of a person.

Alignment

In tandem with the support aspect, providing for the perfect alignment of the bodies muscle groups will help to avoid incorrect posture and/or the development of RSI. The most crucial points for alignment are:

• Head alignment – The head should be in a neural position and aligned with the shoulders and hips. Proper headrest and back support of an office chair (along with the proper positioning of computer monitors and other workstation elements) will help keep the head in perfect alignment.
• Pelvic alignment – The pelvis is at the base of the spine and can affect the natural curve of the spine. The goal is to have a slight forward tilt of the pelvis in order to encourage the natural S-curve of the spine. Most good office chairs will come with a tilt adjustment to this effect.
• Relaxed Shoulders – Many people hold their tension in their shoulders, and this comes out when repetitive tasks need to be done in an uncomfortable environment. When the work environment is better aligned and supportive of the tasks at hand, the shoulders can be comfortably relaxed.

Ease of Motion

Last, but certainly not lease, is the easy of motion allowed by modern chairs. In previous years chairs were often static, similar to kitchen chairs in a household. This mean that standing/sitting, swiveling/pivoting, and leaning/reclining were all relatively impossible. It’s no wonder that workers developed RSI and other problems at such a high rate.

Modern office chairs provide swivel motions that make pivoting from one station to another easy. Additionally they provide rolling caster motion that allow easily moving a chair from one area to another.

While these things might be considered obvious features of chairs, their importance should not be overlooked.

Now that we know how a proper chair and workstation can help to avoid the potentially painful consequences of RSI or bad posture, we need to know what exactly to look for in our chairs or accessories. Our next section is dedicated to the elements of a chair that are important to consider when making a buying decision.

What to expect from your office chair?

One of the biggest misconceptions when purchasing ergonomic equipment is that one-size fits all. This isn’t the case at all. Every individual has their own unique traits, and these need to be matched correctly with the ergonomic desk, foot rest, keyboard, and chair ,etc.

Finding a good fit is the first step to picking the best chair. Initially this means it should conform to your specific body shape (upper/lower back, neck and head, legs and seat). There shouldn’t be more then a few inches of leeway when it comes to these contact points, otherwise you will find yourself straining unnecessarily to fit into the chair.

To this point, adjustability is a crucial aspect of any chair. Since no fit will be completely perfect right out of the box, its necessary to make some small adjustments. These adjustments should be able to be made in all of the following areas:

• Seat Height
• Tilt
• Recline

Additionally (though not necessary) you can also find a chair that includes the following adjustable features:

• Lumbar (lower back) support
• Head rest
• Arm rest
• Foot rest

Finding the Perfect Match

As mentioned before, no chair will be a perfect fit right out of the box. Just because a chair is labeled as “ergonomic” doesn’t mean its a good fit for you or your body type. This is why being adjustable is so important, starting with height…

Height is adjustable in 3 different ways. Firstly, the seat height, most all office chairs some with this feature, and it’s what most people think of when they think of height adjustment (i.e. the pedal underneath that seat that lowers or lifts the chair seat).

Secondly there is the back height. This one is especially important for big and tall people, as being taller than a chair back is definitely not ergonomic. This can also refer to the head rest (if there is one) which can be adjusted to fit the head/neck of an individual.

Thirdly, there is arm rest height. Not every chair will have arm rests, but those that do will need to be adjusted. Having incorrectly fit arm rests will throw off the alignment of the entire body, and that is definitely not ergonomic.

While height is one of the most important factors, there is one other very important factor is the lumbar support. Some chairs come with this as an adjustable feature, while others don’t. If it’s not adjustable, you’ll want to find a chair back that fits the contour of your spine as closely as possible.

Additionally you should also be looking for chairs with 5-point base, this provides stability. It should also easily “swivel” from side to side, making moving around, sitting/rising, an easy task.

Support the Perfect Posture

All of these features are meant to promote proper posture. What exactly is the perfect posture for an ergonomic workstation?

• Neutral Back – The shoulders, elbows, back and seat should be aligned is pretty much a straight line. Your adjustable seat back should support your lower back.
• Thighs parallel to floor – The chair seat should be adjusted to a correct level such that your knees are bent at a 90-degree angle and your thighs are parallel to the floor.
• Keyboard/desk at elbow height – Your elbows should also be at a 90-degree angle, and either be supported by arm rests of the chair or a ergonomic padding in front of the keyboard.
• Support this posture by proper spacing of monitors/documents (anywhere from 18-28 inches away), and the use of a foot-rest if necessary.

The key things to take away from this exercise is to focus on your posture first, and then let your workstation support that posture. If you muscle memory doesn’t support proper alignment of your body, your chair won’t be able to overcome that.

Accessories to Your Chair

There are several items that you use to support your posture and overall ergonomic workspace, these include:

Ergonomic Foot Rest – Some people find that a foot rest underneath their desk will help for stability and comfort, as well as relieving some pressure from the lower back.

Desk Lamps – Lighting can be very important to avoid unnecessary strain on the eyes. You want to avoid glare (i.e. too much lighting), but also the strain that comes with dim lighting.

Keyboard padding – Many people find that padding in front of the keyboard can help to avoid carpal tunnel syndrome and other RSI problems of the wrist.

Alternatively, some people find that ergonomic kneeling chairs are a better option. These can help those people with ongoing back problems, or those people that standard ergonomic “sitting” chairs don’t seem to be a good fit.

Summary

To summarize the above point, here are the main factors that you should consider when evaluating an office chair for purchase:

• Seat Height – The height of the seat should be adjustable, but that still doesn’t mean one size fits all. Chairs can come in general sizes of “small/medium/large”, and you should choose the appropriate one based on your general body type and height. Once that is chosen, it can be further adjusted to more perfectly fit your exact situation.
  • Remember, the feet should be flat on the floor (or on your footrest, if you use one), and thighs should be parallel to the floor.
• Seat Dimensions – It’s important to leave 2 to 4 inches of room between the front of the seat and the back of your knees. Furthermore, the width of the seat shouldn’t leave more than an inch or two of wiggle room for your elbows to utilize (if arm rests are present).
• Armrests – Not every chair will have armrests, and a chair can be perfectly ergonomic without them. It’s largely up to the preference of the user and/or the proposed task. If armrests are present, they should meet the elbows/forearms at a 90 degree angle and support a neutral back/spine/shoulder alignment. The dimensions and depth of the seat with affect these, so make sure to choose correctly on those factors as well.
• Lower back (Lumbar) Support – Back problems are a top cause of chronic pain issues for our aging population, with the lower back being a primary source of that pain. Having a chair back that supports the natural curve of the spine will help to avoid slouching and encourage proper posture.
  • Remember, chairs can only encourage proper posture, but it’s up to you to practice it throughout your day.
• Adjustable Backrest – Because no two people are exactly alike, it’s important to adjust each element of a chair to your precise needs, and this includes the backrest.
• Stable Base – This usually goes without saying, as today’s chairs usually come with a standard 5-point, swivel base, but it’s important to note its importance. Stability is obviously important, as you want to be able to recline, lean back and otherwise move around comfortably and without too much effort.
• Swivel – As mentioned before, being able to move around freely is quite important, especially in today’s office jobs. A stationary chair is a big no-no when it comes to ergonomics, as it can make movement very difficult and strenuous (especially when done in repetition).
• Material (Cushion and Mesh) – Often overlooked for its functional importance, the materials used in the seat and chair design are an important consideration. A breathable mesh is preferred over solid fabrics, as the free passage of air can help keep your back and bottom cool and dry. Furthermore a firm, yet comfortable cushion is important to consider.

Additional Resources

For some additional resources on the topics covered above, please see below:

Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders in the Workplace – OSHA.gov