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ergonomic seating - what to look for
January 5, 2009 Consumer Products, Design, Ergonomics
a picture of the proper way to sit when reclining. Click to watch the videoHow much time do you think you spend sitting in an office chair? Assume 8 hours per day, 230 days per year for 40 years. How many years of your life is that? 9 years! Don’t you deserve to sit comfortably for 9 years?
It is proven that a chair that fits you will make you more comfortable and more productive (yes, you read it right…more productive). In a study conducted by the University of Texas and the Upjohn Institute, it was found that those that used the Leap chair and received the proper training were 17.8% more productive than their colleagues. Too good to be true? Click here to read the full story.
So…now you know why you need an ergonomic chair, but what should you look for when selecting one?
On average, we change seated postures 20-30 times per day. You should have a chair that supports these various positions with minimal adjustments. Here are some features you should look for in order to sit properly AND reduce the amount of stress on your body…
- seat height – proper seat height should allow you to place both feet squarely on the floor
- seat pan depth – adjust the seat pan to contact the backrest without feeling pressure behind the knees
- backrest tilt tension – backrest force should be high enough so to easily rock and balance into a reclined angle
- lumbar support – can be the single most important element in defining chair comfort
- armrests – results in significantly less neck and shoulder pain (adjustable armrests provide additional benefit)
- seat pan angle – seats that automatically change angles as the user moves promote posture change even further
- backrest height and angle – should reach shoulder blades and angle to limit amount of head and hand travel as you recline to maintain proper distance from the computer and keyboard
- headrest – look for a padded headrest adjustable for height and depth. Typically an option on high end seating.
According to Steelcase research, chair height, seat pan adjustments and tilt tension are basic adjustments needed to ensure fit, the rest are needed for more long-term task intensive use. Read Choosing a Chair Based on Fit, Comfort and Adjustable Features for more information.
Not the reading type? Watch a video showing you what these adjustments look like in action.
Steelcase offers a variety of seating options at a multitude of price points to ensure you find a chair that fits your needs. Browse our seating products to find the solution that fits you best.
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Leap Review…In the news
December 30, 2008 Steelcase News
Sure…we are quite fond of our Leap Chair, but don’t just take our word for it, check out the review from NOTCOT.
Here’s my favorite part of the review…First things first ~ awesomest unboxing surprise yet…. (the chair was in one piece, no assembling/etc)… and i pop the top, and i’m greeted with this message that just makes me smile
We hope it makes you smile too.Check out the full post…Steelcase Leap Chair-12.29.08
For more Leap reviews, see the In the News section on the Leap product page.
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The most comfortable chair on the planet
December 18, 2008 Steelcase News
Not only do we think Leap is the most comfortable chair on the planet, but so too does Office Freaks, a blog about Office Supplies, Office Furniture, Office Technology and Office Gadgets.
Check out their recent post called, The Steelcase Leap Chair is the Most Comfortable Office Chair on the Planet!
For more Leap reviews, see the In the News section on the Leap product page.
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Think Review…in the news
December 18, 2008 Steelcase News
Close-up of the Think back from the Workalicious reviewConsidering a Think Chair? Looking for a 3rd party review? Look no further.
Check out the review from Workalicious – Think Chair by Steelcase
For more Think reviews, check out the In the News section of the Think product page.
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Packaging as an innovation?
December 16, 2008 Consumer Products, Design, Environmental, Trends
Lamp that was the gift box used to send a bottle of wine.Have you thought of packaging as a unique innovation? Well, here are three examples of companies that are treating packaging as a differentiating factor. Not only does this help reduce the products’ impact on the environment, in some cases, the products are enhanced as a result of this improvement.
- Are you a fan of Extra chewing gum? If so, maybe you’ll soon notice nifty new packaging. This concept created by Kyle Gati eliminates the need for the celephane wrapper and utilizes recycled paper and eco-friendly adhesives for the new boxes concept.
- Have you purchased a laptop lately and noticed the incredible amount of packaging needed to prevent shipping damage. Then purchased a carrying case for the same reason…to prevent damage. Think maybe these two needs could be combined? Well, so to does HP.
- And the best for last…wine with a gift box that turns into a lamp. Seriously. Cava, a Spanish champagne, from Ciclus ships in a gift box from that, with just a few steps, turns into a fully functioning, attractive lamp. I want one.
I’m sure we’ll continue to see a reduction in packaging as this environmental movement continues. Have you come across similar examples? Please share…
