How 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.