What to Look for in an Office Chair

Due to today's technology, enormous amounts ofrounded edge.  A straight horizontal front will cut off
people are spending most of their working hourscirculation on the backside of the knees.  A good tip is
behind a desk in an uncomfortable office chair. that you should be able to slide your fingers between
Because of this deskbound lifestyle, more and morethe inside of legs and the front edge of the seat.
individuals are becoming overweight, out of shape, andWidth of the seat and armrests
developing other health problems.You need to fit into the chair.  If you have to squeeze
Although a sedentary lifestyle causes health problemsinto the chair then it does not fit, no matter how
in itself, an uncomfortable office chair causes acomfortable it may seem once you are seated. 
completely new arena of problems.  Hours uponThere should be room between the armrests and
hours in an uncomfortable chair brings about backyour body.  In addition, the armrests need to interact
problems, neck pains, and just overall body aches fromwith the desk.  A good office chair will have
bad posture.adjustable armrests.  What good are armrests if they
Below are guidelines that can help you select the rightare not useable or uncomfortable to use.  Quality
office chair, therefore reducing body aches, stiffness,armrests can help with tasks like reading and writing,
and pains.and taking pressure and tension off the neck and
Buying an office chair is similar to buying a car. shoulders.
Would you buy a car without test-driving it?  TheHeight Adjustments
same applies to selecting your chair, you need to sitPeople are not all the same height; therefore, your
down and feel it out.  Again, just as your car, youoffice chair must have a height adjustment.  The
want comfort; you will spend numerous hours in yourspecifications to adjust your office chair and to
car commuting, shopping and running errands.  Thepromote good posture are as follows:  thighs should
same philosophy applies to your office furniture.  Yoube horizontal to the ground while both feet are on the
will be spending numerous hours in that chair soground and wrists should be straight while typing
choose wisely.If you cannot find an office chair height that allows
Below are guidelines as to what you should look forboth of the above, you may want to find a way to
when purchasing your next office chair.alter the height of your keyboard so that you can
Back supporthave straight wrists while typing and your body is
Your new chair should provide adequate backaligned properly with the chair and the floor.
support.  The back support of the chair should alsoStability
be adjustable to fit properly to your back.  The backYour chair must be stable.  Your chair tipping over
support of the chair should remain the same as youwhen you are in it is not funny.  Serious and
move and recline in your chair.  A good office chairpermanent injury can occur.  Look for a chair on
with proper back support will improve your posturewheels that swivels and a five-point base that will not
and therefore eliminate or reduce back pain andflip you over on your head when you recline.  
stiffness.  Selecting an office chair without adequateSo, take time you are out shopping for your new
back support can cause back problems that couldoffice furniture, take this article with you.  Once you
stay with you your entire life.have decided on your new office chair, make sure it
Seatingpossesses all of the above features.  As mentioned
The padding and design of the seat should beearlier, a good office chair will improve posture and
considered.  The front of the seat should have aeliminate aches and pains.