The Ideal Sitting Position
Before going in depth about the things to consider before buying a computer chair and its characteristic, let me elaborate about an ideal sitting position in a computer chair.
Our thighs should be in a horizontal position to the floor, feet should be planted on the ground and arms be leveled with the desk.
Furthermore, there should be no strain in the back and you should be able to sit for a substantial amount of time without being uncomfortable.
A good chair should address all of this.
For those looking forward to buying a computer chair, here is a list of ten things to consider before buying a computer chair:
1. Adjustable Seat Height
This is the first thing to consider before buying a computer chair. You might not be the only user of your computer; other people who use the chair may differ from you in height. So, your chair must have an adjustable seat height in order to accommodate all the differing heights of the people who will be using the chair.
The height should be adjusted such that the user looks directly at the monitor. The height can vary from 16 to 21 inches approximately off the ground.
2. Lumbar Support
Our lumbar is arched inwards naturally. Sitting too long in a chair without any support may cause slouching in the lower back and strain in the structures in the lumbar spine.
Therefore, the chair must be able to support our lumbar (and it should be adjustable too). Keep in mind if your lower back is properly supported, it will ensure that you can sit for an extended period of time without any discomfort.
3. Width and Depth of The Seat
Let me stress that the longer you sit in a chair, the more stressful the experience will be if the chair doesn’t have the proper width and depth that fits your physique. A computer chair ought to have enough width and depth to support any person comfortably.
The depth, particularly, should be enough to sit with your back against the backrest and the back of your knees must be 2 to 4 inches away from the seat of the chair.
4. Material
You wouldn’t deny that the material of the chair should be of a good quality. But, the quality of the chair that you might desire depends upon the need, purpose and length of usage of the chair.
If you use a computer for a longer period, a cloth seat may be more beneficial to you than leather.
On the other hand, chairs made up of leather are easier to clean for messy eaters.
That said, you should determine the fabric that best suits your needs before buying a computer chair.
5. Adjustable Backrest
A chair usually has an attached seat and backrest or a separate seat and backrest. If the seat and backrest are a single unit, your chair must have the option of tilting forward or backwards depending on what you prefer.
Additionally, it should also have a locking mechanism.
If they are separate, backrest must be adjustable in height and angle.
6. Armrest
An armrest is optional. It depends on a number of things: if you move around more often or if you sit in a chair for an extended period of time…
Essentially, your arms and shoulders should be relaxed when on the armrest.
Keep in mind that your elbows and lower arms should rest lightly on the armrest.
It may be beneficial to have a chair with detachable armrests, so that there won’t be any hassle when performing work that requires more mobility.
7. Easy Adjustment Control
We have been talking about adjustment in each point discussed earlier; it is that important.
It is undeniable that a good chair must be customizable as per requirements, but it should also be easy to control for better comfort. The controls should be reachable from the seated position without any strain or special effort.
You should be able to change your height, tilt, and swivel from the seated position as you don’t want to keep repeating the process of standing, adjusting the chair, sitting in the chair and all over again, while using the computer.
8. Propel Wheel
Being able to move from one side of the room to another without having to stand up from the chair is a comfort we’d all like to be able to have. With wheels on your chair you to do just that.
The wheel depends upon the types of floor you want to use the chair on.
If the computer desk is on a hard surface, buy a chair with soft, rubber wheels. If it is covered with carpet, it may be best to have hard wheels.
It is absolutely necessary to ensure that you’ve got proper wheels on your chair to avoid any functionality problems.
9. Swivel
Your computer chair must swivel to allow you freedom to move.
For instance, let’s say that you want to turn on your printer. Would you prefer to stand up and go to where the printer is or simply rotate a little to reach it and switch it on? Obviously, you would prefer the latter.
Your chair should be able to rotate 360 degrees so you can have easier access to all your supplies in your office.
10. Price
When buying a chair, the price should be considered. At the end of the day, if you don’t agree with the price, it doesn’t matter how much functionality the chair has. So, before you go out searching for your computer chair, it is prudent to decide on a price point.
Featured photo credit: Pixabay via pixabay.com
