When sitting on an ordinary chair, the neck quickly begins to swell, pains in the lower back, back appear, headaches begin, and fatigue quickly sets in. All of this can be avoided by choosing the right computer chair for the job.
Experimentally, doctors have proven that a comfortable office chair increases productivity and significantly reduces complaints about well-being.
Device
We are all different - different height, weight, build, as well as different health conditions. Therefore, the most important characteristic of an office chair is its ability to adjust to each person individually. For this purpose, good office chairs have a number of adjustments that help "fit" them to your parameters and make your work as comfortable as possible.
Seat
First of all, pay attention to the shape. Ideally, it should not have sharp corners. The material is also important, it must "breathe", be easily permeable to steam and moisture, so that it does not "sweat" from prolonged sitting.
There are several adjustment options for the seats.
- First of all, it is the ability to change its height in order to adjust the chair to the height.
- Another important adjustment is depth.
- It should be possible to slide the seat forward or backward so that it ends 10 cm from the knee bend.
- Some armchairs provide the ability to adjust the seat tilt, which can also be important for some features of the figure.
- Additional functions are possible, depending on the model. There is usually a slight thickening along the edge of both the seat and backrest. This is a very functional addition, it helps to maintain normal blood circulation, helps to evenly distribute the load on the back and keeps it from slipping on the seat.
Gaslift
The modern office chair arrangement is rather complicated. The height is adjusted using a gas lift - a steel cylinder filled with an inert gas. This device allows you to precisely set the desired height, and in addition absorbs vertical loads.
If the gas lift breaks down, the chair can easily break, so it is imperative that it be reliable. A system of categories is used to assess quality, with the fourth being the most reliable. The chair you have chosen must meet all technical standards and requirements in order to exclude the possibility of injury.
Dorsum and vertebral cushion
One of the most important characteristics of an office chair is its adjustable backrest. This is necessary in order to provide the spine with constant support, regardless of the position in which you are most used to working. Usually, the angle of inclination of the backrest relative to the seat is slightly more straight, but it must be selected individually.
Also, many models have the ability to adjust the depth of the back of an office chair, thanks to this function, you can move the back or move away from the seat so that it continuously supports the spine.
In the lumbar region, the spinal column forms a natural deflection. If you lean your back on a perfectly straight back, this deflection will straighten, and the nerves leaving the spine will be pinched, which will lead to negative health consequences.
Therefore, in most modern models of office chairs, special rollers are used, similar to a small pillow, placing them in the lower part of the back. This roller must be able to move up and down so that it can be positioned exactly against the waist.
Headrest
If you want to choose a computer chair in which you will not have neck numbness and headaches, pay attention to the headrest device. This useful device relieves tension on the neck and shoulder muscles, but for it to do this effectively it must have both height and tilt adjustments.
Mechanisms
Some armchairs are equipped with additional mechanisms, which at first glance may seem superfluous, but in fact, greatly increase the comfort of long-term sitting at the desk.
Rocking
In addition to the backrest tilt mechanism, which allows you to tilt it back, lean back and relax at some moments, some models have a swing mechanism. It helps to stretch your back a little, relieve tension from it.
Swinging is possible by shifting the axis of the backrest forward relative to the center of the chair, so you can swing slightly without lifting your legs off the floor or lifting your knees.
The mechanism is designed for the weight of a seated person from 50 kg, but not more than 120. In some latest models, a synchronizing mechanism is additionally installed, which allows you to change the position of both the backrest and the seat depending on the posture and taking into account the weight of the seated person. If you tilt the backrest, the seat itself moves forward a little.
Crosspiece
In the complex structure of an office chair, the most important detail is the cross-piece. It is on her that the greatest loads fall. Therefore, the material from which it is made must be of high quality and durable. Be sure to pay attention to this when buying.
Wheels
This structural element is also subject to significant loads, so the wheels must be strong. But there is one more requirement: the material from which they are made should not leave marks on the floor, and at the same time should slide well so as not to impede movement.
Ideal for making wheels in nylon, polyurethane and polypropylene. The international GS certificate is received by rollers with a self-braking system. In some models, stops are installed to prevent spontaneous rolling.
Armrests
Another important characteristic of an office chair is the presence of armrests. They take on the weight of the hands, allow you to lean slightly on your elbows, thereby relieving the cervical spine and the entire spine.
You need to understand that only those armrests that are suitable for your height can cope with this task, and for this they must have height and distance adjustments. For support to be effective, the hands resting on the armrests should be approximately level with the work surface of the table.
Customization
Choosing the right computer chair is half the battle. The second, no less important half is to configure it. Before buying, carefully study not only the certificates for the product, but also the capabilities of the particular selected model, its adjustment. Be sure to sit in it and try to make adjustments for yourself.
Set the following settings:
- The angle between the seat and backrest should be slightly more than 90 degrees.
- The height should be such that the arms, bent at the elbows, rest on the table at a right angle, while the legs are firmly on the floor, the angle between the lower leg and the thigh is 90 degrees.
- The back of the knees should not touch the edge of the seat, if this happens, adjust the depth of the seat.
- Adjust the lumbar cushion to the desired height for an S-shaped spine.
- Adjust the rocking mechanism according to your weight.
All of these settings will help you stay healthy and productive.