How To Buy An Office Chair

-----------

Everyone knows that people come in many different shapes
and sizes.  Before buying an office chair, there are a
few questions that you should ask yourself.  You should
decide how you plan to use the chair, as this will be
the determining factor for true comfort.  Almost all
office ahirs come with a variety of mechanisms that will
control the tilting angle, tension tightness, and a
mixture of other controls as well.

Heavy use chair
These types of chairs are for those who plan to sitting
at their desk for long periods of time.  If this is your
profession, you should look for a chair with a tilting
mechanism and also a fatigue reducing device on the
bottom of the chair seat.  Because of this device, moving
forward or backward will enable the chair move with you
in order to provide support.  This will help to support
your back at all times.

Moderate use chair
If you are a typical assistant manager or run back and
forth between your desk and other areas throughout the
day, you should consider getting an office chair with a
knee-tilt mechanism.  This allows you to lean back in the
chair, yet still keep your feet firmly planted on the
ground.  Chairs that don't have this will typically lift
your feet when you lean back and fort, which can
ultimately lead to discomfort over time.  Best of all,
these chairs are normally more stylish than the average
task chair.

Executive office chair
These types of office chairs normally have the same types
of mechanical features as moderate use chairs, although
they are normally larger, more comfortable, and offer
more style for the executive.  They are designed for
the average executive who is busy running about and spends
a good deal of time either on the phone or on a computer.
Comfort, style, and status are the key features when
buying one of these types of office chairs.

For the average security, an office chair that offers
the ultimate in comfort is an ideal purchase.  You can
purchase a heavy use chair, as you'll probably spend a
good amount of time at a desk.  If you move around a
bit, you may want to go with a moderate use chair, as it
will provide the comfort you need when you return back
to your desk.

General rules of the office chair.
1.  You should make sure your feet rest comfortably on
the floor, and your thighs should be fully supported and
placed square on the floor.
2.  Your back should be supported comfortably.  The angle
that's formed by your upper legs and torso should be
between 90 and 105 degrees.
3.  When you tilt back it should be easy, although it
shouldn't be too easy.
4.  The desk chair should be customized to permit frequent
changes in posture.

Truth About Office Chairs

-----------

An office chair is easily the most important
furniture found in an office.  Not only for the
look of the office, but also for the health and
well being of the entire staff.  Over the last
several years, office chairs have come a long
way.

Office chairs of today are designed to promote
health, ergonomical design, and even improve
your posture while you work.  Even those with
bad backs will find the office chairs of today
to be quite relaxing.

Below, you will find some types of new office
chairs that are available for your office:

1.  Kneeling office chairs - Kneeling office chairs
have no type of back support. They incline forward
and therefore allow the hips to slide forward.
Kneeling chairs will naturally align the neck,
shoulders, and even the spine.

2.  Saddle chairs - These chairs are aptly named
as sitting on them is almost like sitting on
a horse.  They can help to solve lower back
problems quite well, with the height being easily
adjustable.  This chair will work great as a
desk or even a computer chair.

3.  Exercise ball chairs - Ball chairs almost
resemble a ball.  They are very difficult to
slouch in, as they demand you to keep an upright
position.  They also encourage movement as they
tend to be a bit bouncy.  The bouncing is a good
thing, as it helps to keep the blood circulating
and your muscles in constant use.

4.  Recliner chairs - A reclining office chair
will help you work in a reclining position.  For
those will spinal injuries these types of chairs
can be a blessing.  You can even attach a small
table to the chair as well for working.

5.  Balans chairs - These office chairs will keep
your legs at the right angle.  They will help your
lower back as well, all while keeping your spine
nice and even.

The office chair you select should be the one that
best fits your needs and requirements.  No matter
which type you end up getting, it should offer
ergonomic benefits as well as support for your back
and spine.  If your sitting at your desk for long
periods of time you want a chair that will keep you
comfortable.

At different times throughout the day, always remember
to change your sitting position.  You should also
sit for a period of time without back support as well,
to keep the blood circulating.  Even though office
chairs with back support are great to have, you need
some time away from them as well.

The Perfect Office Chair

------

An office chair will come in all sizes, colors,
and shapes.  Ergonomics means that a chair has a
healthy design.  Chairs may come with adjustable
parts.  All the while, the human body comes in
many different shapes and sizes.
Some may be tall, other short.  Some require a
large chair, while others prefer a smaller width.
As much as we may want it to, the human body
isn't as flexible as an ergonomic chair.  Even
though it isn't possible to find the perfect
office chair for everyone, it's quite possible
to get adjusted to all types of seating.
Even if you aren't able to find the perfect office
chair, you can always use techniques to make the
most of the situation.  They can help make proper
use of the body and even enhance your coordination
as well.  The idea here, is to hold your neck in
such a way that the length of your spine and neck
aren't shortened or curved in any way.
There is no ergonomically designed office chair
that can force your body into the correct position
it should be in.  It's up to your body and mind to
sit in a a healthy manner.
When it comes right down to it, finding the perfect
office chair is all a matter of what's best for
you.  Office chairs come in all different shapes
and sizes, such as human body's.  If you try out
several chairs, you'll find the perfect chair for
your particular body size.
Once you've found your perfect office chair, you
can relax like never before.  At the office, finding
the perfect chair for yourself is something you
must do.  Finding your perfect office chair isn't
that hard - all you have to do is look around.

Importance Things

-----

Employers and employees truly value their office
chairs, and for good reason.  Even though office
chairs are valued, many employees value their
desks much more.  Both are inanimate objects,
yet the purpose of a desk is to simply keep your
computer, paperwork, and other things.

The value behind a desk is 90% aesthetic, while
the value of a chair is simply amazing when it
comes to your health.  Ergonomic chairs will
help your back while you sit at your desk, even
keep your legs, shoulders, and neck comfortable
while you work.  If you sit at your desk for
extended periods of time, an office chair is
very important in your life.

You work at least 8 hours a day, 5 days a week,
48 weeks a year. Therefore, if you sit at your
desk at least 5 hours a day, you spend around
1,200 hours sitting in your chair.  To put it
in other terms, 1,200 hours is equal to 50
days and nights sitting down.

At work, you can sit on budget chairs, which
are available for a little of nothing.  Even
though they are made of solid construction and
guaranteed for up to 5 years, they aren't
ergonomically made for prolonged usage.

To get the most out of your office chair, you
need one that offers you plenty of ergonomic
benefits.  This way, you'll be able to protect
yourself while you work - knowing that your
chair has your back and upper torso well taken
care of.

When it comes to the office, nothing is as
important as your office chair.  You'll spend
a lot of time sitting in your chair, which makes
it something you want to have the best of.

A Good Office Chair

-----

Below you will find the features that good office

chairs provide you with. Before you buy an office

chair, you should make sure that the chair has

these features.

1. Backrest adjustment

A backrest adjustment can help to prevent or even

alleviate the discomfort that's associated with

sitting for long periods of time. The features of

a backrest adjustment include:

Backrest height - This allows you to find

the backrest height which will provide support for

the lumbar portion of your lower back.

Backrest tilt - this feature will allow

someone to adopt different postures while still

keeping good support for the lower back. You can

also adjust the feature as you wish.

Horizontal backrest movement - this feature

isn't the same as the tilt. Instead, the horizontal

will move side to side, making the chair a little

deeper for those who need it.

2. Chair height adjustment

Every office chair must have a height adjustment. With

most chairs, a pneumatic lever is the most common

way, as it allows you to readily adjust the height of

your office chair from a seated position. Office

chairs of the past require you to place a foot on

the base of the chair then spin it around and around

to raise or even lower the height.

3. Seat pan characteristics

With a chair's seat pan, you should look for the

following characteristics:

1. Rounded edge - found at the front of the

seat pan, this will prevent uncomfortable pressure

at the back of the legs or behind the knees.

2. Seat pan depth - Between the back of the

knee and front of the chair there should be a space

about the size of a clenched fist. For the legs,

this will help maintain proper circulation.

3. Seat pan tilt - This will allow room for

posture changes and also help to alleviate pressure on

the back of the thighs.

4. Fabric - Be on the lookout for durable

and permeable material that will dissipate moisture

and heat.

4. Armrests

An armrest shouldn't interfere with the task at hand

and always provide you room to move. Armrests aren't

normally needed for keyboard use, although they can

be used with reading, editing, or even doing work on

a desk. If you have to have them, look for those with

an adjustable height, adjustable width, and adequate

padding.

5. Stability

A great office chair will have a five pronged base

with the appropriate casters (soft for hard surfaces

and hard for soft surfaces). Chairs with four prongs

are less stable and prone to tipping sideways or

backwards when the users leans in any direction.

Office Chair Anatomy

-----

The office chair is something you see in every part
of the office - cubicles, CEO's room, conference
rooms, even in the cafeteria.  Wherever the area
may be, an office chair has one purpose - to allow
you to sit down in a comfortable and healthy manner.

Contrary to what many may think, the office chair is
no longer a piece of furniture.  Behind each and every
office chair, there are a lot of thought and science
being implemented.  The reason for this, is because
an office chair can be harmful to your health and
also your body.

The principles of ergonomics are used with office
chairs to give you comfort and safety.  Below, you'll
find some key points to look for in an office chair.

1.  Chair height
The height of an office chair should always be easy
to adjust.  In order to do this, the chair must be
equipped with a pneumatic adjustment lever.  This
lever should be able to move your chair between 16
and 21 inches off the floor.

This is important simply because the person sitting
in the chair needs to sit according to the height of
the table or desk.  The chair shouldn't be too high
or too low, so the user doesn't slouch or strain at
their desk.

The important thing to remember is that the knees
should be at a lower height than your hips.  This
will encourage the natural "double C" of the spine
and help to provide upright support for your body.

2. Chair width and depth
An office chair should always be wide enough to
support users of all shapes and sizes.  Normally, the
width will vary between 17 and 20 inches.  The chair
depth area is the area found from the front of the seat
to the back of the chair.

The depth of the office chair should be big enough for
you to lean back against the backrest with 2 to 4
inches difference between your knees and the seat of
the chair.

3. Armrests
Armrests are adjustable and will allow you to rest your
elbows, arms, and shoulders in a comfortable manner.

4. Backrest
The backrest on an office chair will vary from 12 to
19 inches.  Like all other parts of office chairs, the
backrest should be adjustable enough to move either
forwards of backwards.

5. Swivel
Working in an office requires you moving about, from
one computer to another or even to a file cabinet.
Therefore, an office chair should provide a swivel at
the bottom to allow you to move around your area
freely.