Table of Contents
Want to stop ending your workday with a sore back? Working from home is awesome.. But there is a price to pay. Sitting in an improper chair for 8+ hours a day will eventually destroy your posture, your back, and productivity. Perhaps one of the easiest adjustments you can make is investing in a good office chair. With some research you can find one that will:
- Stop the back pain
- Improve your focus
- Get more done each day
Why The Right Office Chair Matters
Most people don’t think much about their office chair. They sit on whatever they can find around the house… Dining chair. Kitchen stool. Heck even the couch. And wonder why their back hurts at the end of the day.
But the problem is, sitting is terrible for your body. Your spine loves movement. It hates staying in one position for long periods of time. If you are sitting in a chair that isn’t supporting you properly, your muscles are straining to hold you up.
The result? Pain, fatigue, and a serious dent in your productivity.
A good home office chair is made to sit in for hours on end. It cradles your spine where it needs support and promotes good posture effortlessly. Designed for daily use in your home office. If you’re comparing chairs, check out this selection of office chairs. Having the correct chair can make a world of difference to your body by day’s end.
The Real Cost Of A Bad Chair
A bad office chair is more expensive than you think.
Okay, maybe you save money in the short term by keeping the dining chair seat… But the ER visits, lost work, and persistent discomfort that ensue? Not so much. Look at the stats. Hinge Health found that 45% of people working remotely experienced back and joint pain after transitioning to working from home.
Think about it: when you hurt, you can’t concentrate. When you can’t concentrate, you can’t produce your best work. A good chair will more than pay for itself by keeping you healthy and able to perform.
FYI: Research showed that 41% of home-based employees sat at chairs that were too low. Nearly half of all telecommuters are sitting incorrectly each day.
Key Features To Look For In A Home Office Chair
Okay, now for the fun part. Choosing a chair there are some deal breakers you should expect. Seat rails. Seat clamp position. Seat tilt angle. Backrest position. When these are adjusted properly you will own a chair that will take care of you.
Adjustable Seat Height
Your feet need to sit flat on the floor. When seated your thighs should be parallel to the ground with your knees bent at 90 degrees. If your chair does not allow you to adjust the height to achieve this then it’s the wrong chair.
Most decent chairs have a pneumatic lever for this reason. Ensure that the range is suitable for your body and your desk.
Lumbar Support
Really important. Your lower back curves inward. A good chair supports that curve. If you sit without good lumbar support you will begin to slump forward after an hour… Slouching forward is one of the quickest ways to create chronic back pain. Find one with adjustable lumbar support so you can move it to where you need it on your back.
Adjustable Armrests
Allow your arms to rest relaxed at your sides with elbows bent at 90 degrees. If the armrests are too high, your shoulders will rise up to them. If they are too low, you will lean over to one side. Both situations cause neck and shoulder pain. Adjustable armrests let you find the perfect position for your body.
Seat Depth & Width
The seat needs to fit your body properly:
- Too small: You’ll feel cramped and uncomfortable
- Too big: You won’t be able to reach the backrest
- Just right: You can fully recline with 2-3 fingers of space behind your knees
Don’t sleep on this. Choosing the wrong seat dimensions will create discomfort regardless of how many bells and whistles your chair has.
Breathable Material
Sitting for hours can get sweaty. Seek out materials with breathable mesh/fabric that allow air to circulate. Leather is attractive but holds heat and will get very uncomfortable with extended use.
How To Set Up Your Chair Properly
Bought the perfect chair? Now you need to set it up correctly.
Most folks simply plop down into their chairs. Dialling your chair takes 5 minutes and saves you years of pain.
Follow these steps:
- Adjust the seat height so your feet are flat on the floor
- Slide back so your lower back is against the lumbar support
- Adjust the lumbar support to fit the curve of your back
- Set the armrests so your elbows are at 90 degrees
- Position your monitor so the top is at eye level
- Keep your keyboard close enough to avoid reaching
After installation, weekly inspection to ensure nothing has moved. Inches per week add up.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
Even with a great chair, lots of people make the same simple mistakes.
- Sitting too long: Get up every 30 minutes to stretch and move
- Crossing your legs: This throws your hips out of alignment
- Leaning on one armrest: Creates uneven pressure on your spine
- Slouching forward: Defeats the purpose of having lumbar support
- Choosing the wrong desk height: You can have the best chair in the world but if your desk isn’t at the right height…
Your chair isn’t the only factor that goes into a healthy home office. Movement, posture, and habits matter as well.
You now understand what to look for when choosing the proper office chair for your home office. An ergonomic chair is one of the best investments you can buy for your health and career.
Pick the right chair and your back will thank you.