Ergonomic Task Chair Fundamentals
There are many basic principles involved in the design of an ergonomic task chair, most of which are very easy to understand. A good chair is important because nowadays most of us spend of a good portion of every day working on the computer, or using it for our entertainment. Its hard to ignore that almost everywhere you go you see people sitting in chairs that look cheap, old, flimsy and just plain inadequate for daily use. Investing in the right ergonomic chair will reward you with increased comfort and productivity at the computer and a decreased risk of developing any serious conditions in the future.
A high quality task chair will always be available in custom configurations, because lets face it if you're going to spend upwards of $500 or $1000 on a new chair it better be customized to your specific body size and shape. The one-size-fits-all approach only applies to the less expensive chairs, usually under $200, but there are a few decent manufacturers producing good chairs in this price range. However, you need to make sure you take some measurements of your current chair so that you know whether or not you need to go larger or smaller with a new one. This refers to the actual dimensions of the seat cushion and the back rest (or sometimes called the back support). Premium brands like Herman Miller, Humanscale and VIA Seating offer multiple size combinations with almost all of their products.
The material of the chair is not very important in terms of ergonomics but the firmness of the cushions are something to consider. Most chiropractors usually recommend sitting on the hardest surface you can handle when you are going to be seated for long periods of time. Sometimes referring to a wooden bench as a better alternative than a good ergonomic chair, they cannot always be taken literally, but the concept behind the idea is true. It is actually better for your back to sit on a firm surface rather than a really cushy one. Extremely soft chairs may be ok for lounging but if you're going to be doing work you need a nice firm seat cushion to help strengthen your back and prevent it from going out of alignment.
Having arm rests on the chair are almost always optional and it is purely up to your personal preference. However, if you do choose a chair with adjustable arms just be conscious of how often you are resting your forearms on the pads, because too much leaning will cause problems to arise in your neck and shoulders. There are many other great ergonomic products on the market that can really help make computing safer and more comfortable. After purchasing a new chair, think about looking into a new ergonomic keyboard, ergonomic mouse and adjustable keyboard tray. Those are the most popular initial upgrades to any workstation. If you need portability in your peripherals you can also opt for a curved wireless keyboard and mouse combo or an ergonomic bluetooth mouse. As far as eyewear there is a new company called Gunnar Optiks that just released their high-tech computer glasses that specifically designed to prevent Computer Vision Syndrome and Digital Eye Fatigue. All in all, buying a good task chair is a major step towards a healthier, happier work environment.
