Office Chairs 101: All You Need to Know About Office Chairs

We spend most of our waking hours at work, so an excellent office chair is necessary. With the sheer choice that is available in the market, it can be quite overwhelming, to say the least. We asked all our followers to ask us questions on Ergonomic Office Chairs they want to know the answer to, and here we are!

We have compiled this chair buying guide, in which you will find answers to all Office Chair FAQs and a few tips!

Office Chairs 101: All You Need to Know

WHAT SHOULD THE STANDARD HEIGHT OF AN OFFICE CHAIR BE?

The standard height of an office chair varies from person to person. To begin with, the seat height of your office chair should be easily adjustable. The easiest way to adjust this is to do it with a Pneumatic Adjustment Lever. The term may sound complicated, but the Pneumatic adjustment lever is found under the seat, allowing your seat to change levels when moved.

A seat height of 17 to 22 inches off the floor is ideal for most people. To know what works best for you, set your chair to a height just below your knee when you are standing. This will allow your feet to be flat on the floor with your knees at a 90° angle.

WHAT IS THE MEANING OF LUMBAR SUPPORT IN OFFICE CHAIRS?

Our spines have a natural curvature which needs constant support. Without this support, our bodies tend to compensate by slouching, leading to back pain over time.

Lumbar support in an office chair is built to be pushed against the small of the back. This support fills in the gap between our backs, consequently keeping the spine in correct alignment. The placement of the lumbar support is equally as crucial as its inclusion. It should fit right at the natural curve of your back, directly above your belt line. This makes sure your posture is correct and protects you from back pains in the future.

IS IT BETTER TO HAVE AN OFFICE CHAIR WITH OR WITHOUT ARMS?

When we sit, we instinctively try to find a place to put our arms; if we don’t find such a facility, we use our laps. From an ergonomic standpoint, armrests are great for your posture. They allow your arms to loosen up and rest in a relaxed position. This way, you will not feel stiffness or tightness in your shoulder muscles.

Choose an office chair that has adjustable armrests. It should allow your arms to rest comfortably without tightening your shoulders. Armrests take bodyweight off our shoulders, so you know what to do the next time you’re chair-shopping.

WHAT DIFFERENT OFFICE CHAIRS ARE THERE?

There is an office chair for everyone. But the process of finding that perfect chair can be draining.

Here are the top 10 types of office chairs to help you decide:

• Ergonomic Chairs – Assist in posture correction and prevent musculoskeletal disorders
• Drafting Chairs – Best for architects and artists, suitable for tall and standing desks 
• Executive Office Chairs – Luxuriant style, ideal for meeting rooms in offices
• Mesh Chairs – Provides breathability, great for anyone who sweats a lot while working
• Balance Ball Chairs – Engages core and boosts blood circulation when used for less than 30 minutes 
• Saddle Chairs – Encourages a riding-like sitting position, great for core-strengthening, perfect for a high desk 
• Movement Chairs – Great for active sitting; instability of the chair forces you to move
• Sit-stand Chairs – Height-adjustable, perfect for sit-stand desks
• Heavy-Duty Office Chairs – Perfect for tall users, weight capacity ranges from 300 to 1000 pounds
• Small and Petite Chairs – Best suited for petite or short-statured users, the height of armrest, headrest, lumbar support and seat depth is much lower.

HOW DO I CHOOSE THE BEST OFFICE CHAIR?

Choosing an office chair is probably the most critical task, especially if you’re working from home. Here are a few features you ought to be looking for when investing in an office chair. Make sure your chair has options to adjust the height and backrest and a locking mechanism to prevent any sudden jolts. Check for lumbar support, armrests and adequate width so you are not constricted for 8 hours in an uncomfortable chair.

Remember to opt for a chair with a breathable seat and the right padding. Hard padding will be painful, and a soft one will not provide support. A chair with added wheels or casters is always a bonus, giving you easy mobility.

WHAT IS THE CORRECT SITTING POSTURE FOR OFFICE CHAIRS?

Maintaining the right posture is extremely important, especially if you’re working from home. Avoid working from your bed or couch, as this can strain your muscles immensely. Invest in a good office chair and follow these five steps to get the perfect posture:

1. Position your elbows at a 90° angle to your desk
2. Sit in as close to the desk as possible
3. Bring your keyboard and mouse in close so your elbows are in line with your ribcage
4. Place your feet flat on the floor or footrest
5. Sit right back into the chair, with your hips and back in full contact with the backrest

WHY CAN’T I STOP MY OFFICE CHAIR FROM SQUEAKING?

If your chair is squeaking, chances are there is too much tension in the area where the ends of the spring touch the housing ends. This can be fixed easily. Get a few paper towels and a lubricant like oil. Apply this lubricating agent to the spring that is located inside the turn knob of your chair. Make sure you wipe any excess oil off the floor with the paper towels, and there you have it!

WHY ARE COMFORTABLE OFFICE CHAIRS IMPORTANT IN AN OFFICE?

If you have questioned as to why office chairs are so uncomfortable, you’re not alone. From chairs that don’t offer lumbar support to chairs that have really hard padding, a lot can go wrong with office chairs. Sitting in awkward positions to be comfortable will negatively affect your mood and productivity. Therefore, you need to replace these chairs to avoid long-term spinal damage.

As discussed in the previous questions, a good office chair will encourage a better posture, keep you from aches and pains, and make your 8 hours at work more comfortable.

WHAT IS THE BEST DESK CHAIR FOR MY HOME OFFICE?

At Codex, we know our chairs very well. Here are two chairs suggested by our Office Furniture Specialists that will make working from home a breeze and very comfortable.

NV MESH BACK CHAIR: The NV Mesh Back Chair features an ergonomic design with adjustable arms, full back support, and mesh fabric for comfort and breathability.

OA SERIES HIGH BACK HIGH BACK OFFICE CHAIR – This OA Series High Back Chair offers a deep contoured seat foam for maximum comfort. It has dual levers that let the user independently control seat height and back angle. It is a great chair for office use as it has a recommended usage time of 8 hours.

ARE GAMING CHAIRS BETTER THAN OFFICE CHAIRS?

If you are a gamer or a person who consumes content, the ability to recline is a significant advantage. Gaming chairs feature more cushioning and support your hips, arms, back, shoulders, neck and head, thus easing your muscles.

If you are a gamer, we suggest a gaming chair. Opt for a gaming chair that has lumbar support built-in. Even though gaming chairs are pricier, they are worth the price.

On the other hand, sitting at a reclined angle to perform 8 hours of desk work is not ideal for people with a desk job. So, if you have an office job and are looking for an ergonomically robust chair, an ergonomic office chair is your best bet.

WHAT SORT OF WHEELS SHOULD I BE LOOKING FOR IN AN OFFICE CHAIR?

To answer this question fully, let us look at why office chairs have wheels in the first place. Wheels offer mobility without standing and are great if you want to move over to a colleague’s desk or a printer. Most office chairs have five wheels in total. This is because five wheels in every direction ensure better balance and provide a firm foundation to the chair.

If your chair will be used on a hard surface, go for a chair with soft rubber wheels. On the contrary, if your home office or workplace is carpeted, hard wheels will help you navigate better.

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Looking to improve your office environment but don’t know where to start? At Codex, we want to help take the guesswork out of creating an ergonomic workspace. Therefore, we have assembled a list of ergonomic chairs, office desks and office accessories to enable you to shop confidently. Open an account today or contact us at sales@codexltd.com if you require product recommendations or pricing!

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