In today's market it can be quite difficult to know how to choose a good ergonomic chair. With the flood of chairs coming from overseas now, consumers have a much larger selection to choose from than ever before, which can make for a very difficult choice if you don't know what qualities to look for. Subtleties in the design, manufacturing process and materials used can be the difference between a chair that will provide you long lasting comfort at your work area for years to come and one that will leave your body aching and have you out shopping again for a replacement in no time. We've compiled a short list of things to look for to ensure you get a chair that will last and support your body like it should.
Casters
The casters on the chair should be fitted to the surface that they will glide on. For hard surfaces, urethane casters should be used for smooth mobility. For softer surfaces like carpet, nylon casters are a better fit.
Base
It is recommended that your chair have a five leg base. It should also have a 360 degree swivel, which increases its accessibility and can accommodate for more movement.
Controls
In order to properly set up your chair, all levers and controls should be labeled so you know what they do to the chair. Cheaper plastic handles often break easily, so look for a chair with a substantial amount of metal in the lever or handle.
Seat Height
Make sure the chair has seat height adjustment. This is accomplished by a pneumatic lift cylinder in the base, allowing you to set the chair at the proper height for your body -- the seat should be just below your knee caps with your feet flat on the floor or a footrest.
Seat Pan
Depth: The seat should allow you to sit with your back flush against the back rest, and the front of the seat pan should not touch the crease of the back of your knee. You should have a couple fingers distance between the back of your knee and the seat pan. A seat slider mechanism that allows you to adjust the depth of the seat pan can help accommodate this.
Width: The seat pan should be wide enough for your thighs.
Slope: The edge of the seat pan should curve downward (a waterfall front). If you lean forward a lot during the day, there should be an option on the chair to tilt the seat pan forward and should be able to lock in place.
Seat Cushion
There are many options of seat cushions available. Some options are triple density foam and memory foam. Usually the kind of cushioning on the chair is dependent on personal preference. Keep in mind if you want a different kind of cushioning, it is good to go with a manufacturer that allows you to customize your chair upon order. ErgoCentric is the most well known manufacturer of ergonomic seating in Canada, and custom builds chairs to your specifications. Other brands made in Canada are also available.
Backrest
The chair should have a lumbar support built into the backrest. The best ergonomic chairs have an adjustable lumbar support to accommodate a range of heights of potential users. The back should be convex (have a bump) for lumbar support, but the overall shape should be concave to fit and conform to your body. It should certainly be covered in padding similar to the seat pan to avoid the hard surface contact.
Arms
Armrests are an optional choice. If choosing to use armrests they should be wide and contoured so that your arm can rest comfortably on it. The armrests should not be so high that you find your shoulders shrugging. Adjustable armrests are a great feature, because they allow you to ensure that they can be set at the height where your shoulders are relaxed at your sides and still support the weight of your arm, thereby reducing stress on your neck and shoulders.
