You know ergonomic chairs provide better support, which can help you avoid pain, be more productive, and have better health. However, did you know that there may be different types of ergonomic seating depending on how you want to use the chair? Keeping the user in mind can help you choose the right chair. With BodyBilt by ErgoGenesis’s wide range of seating solutions, we have the chair for whatever reason you are sitting.
Understanding Ergonomics
To pick the perfect chair, you need to have a basic understanding of ergonomics. Ergonomics is the study of the way people interact with their workplaces. The goal of ergonomics is to reduce workplace stressors, including physical stressors. Ergonomic office chairs are supposed to help correct your spine, reduce slouching, reduce head-forward posture, support your trunk, encourage proper pelvic alignment, and support your arms. They work with human anatomy instead of against it to help meet your physical and psychological needs.
Ergonomic Office Chairs
Ergonomic office chairs help counteract the unnatural posture when people sit too long. Some “experts” say that humans are not designed for sitting. That is not true. The human body is designed to sit for some periods. Our pelvic bones even have bones designed to support our body weight while sitting. However, humans are not intended to sit for hours at a time. Humans are not designed for sedentary lifestyles. Sitting for extended periods can cause joint pain, repetitive stress injuries, breathing difficulties, respiratory issues, digestive issues, headaches, and more.
BodyBilt designs with the human body in mind. They have features that help keep your posture in line, even while seated and doing desk tasks. However, your tasks can help determine which chair is right for you.
Supports the Spine
Think about the average chair. It has a straight back. Now, think about your posture. You have a curved back. Your spine has a natural S curve in it. It curves forward in the lumbar region, which is your lower spine. A straight-back chair cannot support your spine because it lacks that curve. An ergonomic chair keeps your body in a natural position, supporting the natural curve of your spine. That helps keep you from slouching, tilting your pelvis backward, or straining your core. All that helps reduce stress and strain, especially in your lower spinal region.
A tremendous ergonomic executive chair or office chair will include lumbar support. Lumbar support needs to be customizable. That is because everyone has an “S” curve in the lumbar region, but they are not identical. You need support for your specific lumbar region. Many ergonomic chairs let you increase or decrease support in your lumbar region.
Supports the Arms
Many people focus on the spine when looking for an ergonomic office chair. Spinal support is critical. However, it is not the only important part of your chair. When you stand, your arms hang naturally at your side. A tremendous ergonomic chair will support your arms while doing your tasks. That position can change depending on what jobs you are doing. An adjustable chair lets you transition from duty to task using the same chair.
Supporting the Rest of the Body
For typing and other traditional desk work, you want to sit with your feet comfortably on the ground and your hips and knees at 90-degree angles. However, that may not be your desired position. For example, many gamers prefer to recline since they look at a screen above their sight line. We offer chairs that can provide additional support, like headrests and footrests, giving you flexibility while supporting your body’s natural position.
Breathability
What is your office environment? Are you in a cold office environment? Then a leather chair, which retains your body heat, may be a great choice. If you are in a hotter climate, a breathable mesh chair may be the right choice. Many people talk about external temperature, but we will honestly discuss your workforce. If you or your employees are women in their 30s or older, you may be dealing with menopause or perimenopause. That can mean hot flashes. If you have not experienced one, a hot flash feels like you are spontaneously combusting. Anything that retains heat suddenly becomes stifling. Getting breathable mesh office chairs is one way to help keep people comfortable.
Adjustable
Most of us do multiple tasks, so we may need to reset our chairs during a typical day. An adjustable chair means we can use the same chair for different uses. However, you must keep all uses in mind while trying to pick your chair. With an adjustable chair, you can change:
- Height
- Seat Depth
- Arm Width, Height, and Angle
- Lumbar Support
- And More
Responsive
While adjustable chairs are great, you do not want to have to reconfigure your chair every time you do something different. Instead, you want a chair that supports you while you normally move throughout your task. Wheels, flexible fabrics, swiveling and tilting bases, padding, and more all help support your body through a range of motion.
Location
We have briefly discussed how ambient temperature can impact your choice of chair. It can also make a difference whether in an office or at home. In an office, you probably have hard floors or flat industrial carpets. However, your home may have plush carpets or more expensive floors needing protection. So, if you are buying a chair for your home, you want to ensure that the casters (or wheels) can handle carpets or will not marry your floors.
For a home office, you may also worry more about aesthetics. A big, cozy leather chair looks great in an executive suit. However, it can easily overwhelm the appearance of a home office. In addition, texture can be a consideration if you have pets. For example, some cats love to sharpen their nails on leather and faux leather. Keep all of that in mind when selecting the right office chair for you.
BodyBilt Offers Flexibility
Whatever reason you need an office chair, BodyBilt has the one for you. We offer adjustable, customizable office chairs in various styles and appearances. BodyBilt provides the flexibility you want to make your office chair the best possible investment.
