How to Choose an Ergonomic Office Chair?

Posted by Barry Einhorn on 2023 Sep 15th

Ergonomic chairs don't need sacrifice beauty in favour of health

For those in search of the most comfortable office seating available, or if you have issues with your back and posture, an ergonomic office chair is the way to go. Not only do they boast a handful of benefits, but they’re made to be long-lasting, and durable.

Here the team of Canada’s office chair experts from Office Seating have collected some of the most important things to consider when buying a new ergonomic chair for your workspace.

The Need for Ergonomic Office Chairs

The article " The benefits of ergonomic furniture on both physical and mental wellbeing" by Antonio Guillem, published on October 16, 2018, emphasizes the significant impact of ergonomic furniture on workplace health and productivity. It cites a report by Digby Brown Solicitors, which links a considerable portion of the 600,000 workplace injuries annually recorded in the UK to outdated and unsafe office furniture. The article stresses that ergonomic furniture reduces the risk of musculoskeletal disorders, such as neck and back joint damage, and enhances productivity. The findings and recommendations in this article are equally valid for office environments in Canada.

People who require sitting long hours at a desk or workstation should use an ergonomic chair that allows them to adjust it to improve employee safety, health, and productivity.

What Exactly is an Ergonomic Office Chair?

Ergonomic chairs are specifically designed to provide enhanced support to the more vulnerable parts of your body when sitting for long hours, in addition to finding a comfortable and functional solution for those with chronic aches and pains. They’re designed to provide the perfect support needed for your body when sitting at a desk, taking into account the back support you need, your posture, weight distribution, and movement.

Every individual is unique, with distinct needs and preferences. Recognizing this, an ergonomic office chair is designed to be highly adaptable, enabling each user to customize the settings for optimal posture. By allowing for personalized adjustments, an ergonomic chair caters to the specific requirements of each user, ensuring a comfortable and beneficial experience that supports both health and work efficiency.

Here some Frequent Asked Questions about Ergonomic Office Chairs

How Can an Ergonomic Chair Benefit Me & Is it Worth the Investment?

If spending hours each day at the desk has caused you to develop aches and pains, or you simply want a more comfortable chair that provides better support, ergonomic chairs are ideal. Non-ergonomic chairs can lead to muscle and joint issues, much more so if they’re used for extended periods of time. However, the right ergonomic chair will fit your body perfectly.

Investing in an ergonomic office chair, despite the slightly higher cost compared to a traditional chair, is a wise decision for long-term comfort and health. Not only do these chairs enhance workplace comfort, which can significantly boost focus and productivity, but they also play a crucial role in reducing daily aches and pains, as well as preventing chronic health issues. The additional investment, which may amount to a few hundred dollars, is a small price to pay for the substantial benefits it brings. Improved work performance, coupled with savings in healthcare costs and reduced absenteeism due to health-related problems, make the choice of an ergonomic chair a sensible and far-sighted investment for both immediate well-being and long-term health.

What Should I Look For in a High-Quality Ergonomic Office Chair?

Graphic showing Global Furniture Group options for ergonomic chair adjustments

There are some key features quality ergonomic office chairs in Canada will include such as:

Back Angle: Adjusts the angle of the backrest, supporting various postures and activities.
Back Tension Adjustment: Controls the amount of resistance felt when leaning back, ensuring comfortable support.
Tilt Movement: The chair tilts from a point at the center, offering a balanced reclining motion. Most chairs offer center tilt while some few also offer knee tilt.
Chair Tilt Lock: Allows the chair to be locked in a tilted position, providing stability and customized recline.
Seat Height: Adjusts the chair's height, ensuring feet rest flat on the floor for optimal posture.
Soft Descent Pneumatic Lift: Provides a smooth, controlled height adjustment mechanism.
Back/Lumbar Height Adjustment: Customizes the position of lumbar support to align with the spine's natural curve.
Lumbar Depth Adjustment: Fine-tunes the depth of lumbar support for targeted lower back comfort.
Seat Depth: Adjusts the seat's length to fit the user's leg length, enhancing comfort and circulation.
Seat Angle Adjustment: Alters the angle of the seat for improved posture and reduced pressure on the thighs.
Arm Height: Changes the height of the armrests to reduce shoulder strain and support the arms.
Waterfall Seat Edge: Features a curved front edge to reduce pressure on the back of the knees and improve leg circulation.
Properly Contoured Cushions: Ergonomically shaped cushions provide tailored support and comfort.
Width Adjustable Arms: Allows the width of the armrests to be altered for a comfortable arm position.
Arm Rotation: Enables the armrests to rotate, accommodating different tasks and preferences.

Benefits of Using Ergonomic Office Chairs

Improved Posture: These chairs are designed to support the natural curvature of your spine, which helps in maintaining a good posture.
Enhanced Comfort: Ergonomic chairs often come with adjustable features that can be tailored to fit individual needs, providing greater comfort over extended periods.
Reduced Back Pain: By supporting the lower back and promoting good posture, these chairs can help reduce or prevent back pain.
Increased Productivity: Comfortable seating can lead to better focus and increased productivity.
Adjustability: The ability to adjust seat height, backrest, armrests, and headrest ensures a personalized fit for different body types.
Long-Term Health Benefits: Regular use of an ergonomic chair can contribute to overall health and well-being by reducing the risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders.

Contact Office Seating for the leading ergonomic office chairs in Canada!

We carry today’s best brands of ergonomic office chairs like the Ibex Multi-Tilter, the Vion™ Mesh High Back Multi-Tilter , and more. We also sell a wide variety of mesh, big and tall, boardroom, and executive office chairs in Canada.