Choosing the wrong office chair can result in lower back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, pain and numbness in the legs and feet and contribute to a variety if other health problems. Plus, it can simply make your job much harder to do.
If you are suffering from any of the above problems, then it may be time to upgrade your office chair. In order to ensure that you choose the most comfortable chair that will provide you with adequate support and comfort, check out what to avoid when choosing an office chair:
What To Avoid In Choosing Suitable Office Chair
1. Form Over Function
Just because a chair is stylish and looks good does not necessarily mean that it is comfortable and functional. Always choose a chair for the features that it offers rather than the its looks. However, this does not mean that you have to choose an ugly chair. There are a wide variety of products available on the market some of which meet both the need for function and design.
2. Non-Adjustable
Avoid chairs that cannot be adjusted. This is especially true if you are not of average height and size. An office chair should adjust to your height allowing your thighs to be parallel to the ground while both feet are placed flat on the ground. You should also ideally not need to strain your neck and shoulders to reach items on your office desk. The backrest and armrests of the chair should also be adjustable so that your back and arms receive adequate support.
3. Cost Over Value
An expensive office chair is not necessarily a better office chair. It is important to weigh up the value that the chair will provide versus the cost. Make sure that the chair and the materials that it is made of are durable and long-lasting. Also, ensure that you receive a manufacturer’s warranty for the chair.
4. No Support
There are a range of different areas of support that your office chair should provide. First and most importantly, the padded seat should support your weight with ease. The backrest should provide adequate lumbar (lower back) support and the chair should preferably have armrests. A headrest is optional to provide neck support depending on how the chair is going to be used.
5. Mobility
An office chair should ideally have wheels to enable you to move it around easily without getting up from your seat. A chair that turns is absolutely essential. Remember that you will be using your feet and legs to push the chair around and turn it so lightweight materials are better. A heavy office chair is going to be difficult to move around and strain your muscles.
It is recommended to test and try a variety of office chairs and compare their pros and cons to find one that meets your unique requirements. Visit professional office equipment stores and get advice from the experts. Take your time making a selection and invest in a chair that is going to provide comfort and support well into the future.