A Good Office Chair

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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.