The main thing to look for is adjustability ; the more you can change it, the better you can customise it to suit your needs. So, before you go and buy a $2000 ergonomic chair that promises “instant pain relief”, have a look at these simple points to determine what characteristics make a good office chair. Remember – one size does not fit all! Try before you buy. If you want to know about how to set up your workstation, I have created a FREE e-book for you. All you have to do is click here to get it straight away. Some of us are tall, and others not so tall. It is imperative to have a chair that can be adjusted to accommodate your measurements. To set up the chair to the correct height: a) your hip and knees must be at a 90-100 degrees angle and; b) your feet must be flat on the floor (If you have shorter legs, consider getting a foot stool) When you sit right back into the chair, there should be at least 3-4 fingers gap between the edge of your seat and the back of your knee crease.

The seat of the chair should be flat or tilted slightly forward which will promote the neutral position of the pelvis. The back rest should be fixed at a 90-100 degree angle to the seat. It should also be able to recline to 120-130 degrees to allow the user to alleviate any pressure on the lower back when required. Maintaining the natural arch in your lower back protects you from common disorders such as disc degeneration, muscle strains, joint stiffness etc. sofa and swivel chair for saleA good lumbar support should mould to your lower back and reinforce your natural lumbar arch.used office chair calgary To arm rest or not to arm rest? electric wheelchair prices in uk

That is the question. I personally feel you should get rid of your arm rests because they often prevent you from getting close enough to the desk. This can promote a sub-optimal posture as you move forward in your chair to get closer to the desk. If you set up the rest of your workstation correctly to maintain optimal posture, there is no need for arm rests to support your arms in the first place.patio swing chair ikea If you need to move short distances around your workstation, getting a chair with a swivel and wheels will make moving around easier, which is very important in preventing repetitive strain injuries from leaning over and reaching.buy cuddle chair uk If the flooring material makes it difficult to wheel your chair around, consider using a plastic chair mat.chair cover rentals western ma

The padding on the seat cover and back rest should be thick enough to support sitting for prolonged periods of time. If it doesn’t feel comfortable the minute you sit in it, it definitely won’t be after a few hours. If it doesn’t feel good, then it doesn’t feel good. Move on to the next one. Now that you know what to look for in a good office chair, make sure you know how to set your office desk correctly. In terms of the ergonomic appeal of a computer desk, one should consider the following points. With your seat set up correctly, the height of the desk should be at a level where the keyboard and mouse would be positioned at elbow height when you are seated. There should be ample space for all of your desktop equipment to be placed and accessed easily. A crowded desk top may compromise your ideal posture. This allows for the keyboard and mouse to be located at an appropriate level in relation to your body. If you prefer the table height a bit higher, this may be a more viable option for you.

It may sound straight forward, but there should be ample room for your legs to fit underneath the desk. Your legs should not touch any part of the desk as this will alter your posture. There should be enough room to allow you to stretch your legs out when necessary. I have covered this post plus plenty more in my FREE ebook: How to set up your workstation. Make sure you go check it out!(in moderation, of course…)You're slouching right now, aren't you? Don't worry, it's something we all do. However, studies have shown that bad posture can increase feelings of depression, zap your energy and cut off your circulation. Couple that with sitting for long periods of time, and you've got a health hazard on your hands. See also: 17 DIY Office Hacks to Make Work More Tolerable If you have an office job, it's difficult to avoid the pitfalls of sitting and slouching. However, there are plenty of little tricks you can use to improve your posture gradually. Posture Tips at Work

Normal office chairs are notorious for negatively impacting your posture, especially if you are sitting in them improperly. Slouching in your chair may also lead to a decrease in your core strength. It may be replacing your office chair for a stability ball. On a stability ball, you spend your time actively balancing, so your body automatically forms a more correct posture. This can alleviate any back or core strain that you may have previously experienced sitting in a chair. Besides just improved posture and core strength, we have culled four other benefits that you may experience by replacing your office chair with a stability ball. Let's take a look. Experiencing the negative effects of sitting in an office chair? Here are 4 benefits of sitting on a stability ball: 1.) Burn Extra Calories As a personal trainer, you may not spend a large portion of your day sitting. However, many of your clients may sit for eight or more hours a day. That's where you come in.

While you probably focus on form and stance during each session, part of being a successful personal trainer is integrating your knowledge and expertise beyond the gym. You must be willing to go the extra mile and offer advice that your clients can take home with them. If your client is interested in replacing the office chair with a stability ball, remind him or her of the added bonus: extra burned calories. It's simple, really: The more we move, the more calories we burn. The more time spent on the stability ball, the more you move. 2.) Relieve Back Pain While you will have to focus on maintaining good posture while sitting on the stability ball, you won't be as hunched over as you could be sitting in an office chair. But the truth is, sitting on a stability ball isn't going to bring miracles or completely alleviate any pain you are experiencing. However, with regular exercise and stretching on a stability ball, you may be able to relieve some of the pain you are experiencing.

We'll take a closer look at those options below. 3.) Tone Core Muscles While we already discussed the negative impacts that sitting in a chair can have on your core strength, did we mention that switching to a stability ball can also help you to sculpt and tone those stubborn abs and obliques? With a stability ball, you are no longer relying on the back of the chair to keep you propped up. Instead you must engage your core, which of course leads to an increase in your core strength. Looking for an extra challenge during the workday? Grab your stability ball and perform a couple of exercises, such as: Plank with forearms on the ball Shoulder curl and press 4.) Induce the Inspiration to Stretch Maybe it's just us, but it's rather difficult as a trainer to sit on a stability ball without taking a break or two during the day to stretch out and relieve some tension. As we stated earlier in the post, the stability ball can relieve some strain you may experience in your back.

It can also provide added support when you want to get a deeper stretch that you may not have been able to perform otherwise. Remember that sitting on a stability ball isn't going to be a panacea for the eight-hour workday. And, while using a stability ball can alleviate a lot of the strain you may experience when sitting in an office chair, many experts still argue whether it has the advantages people seek. The truth is, sitting all day—regardless of sitting in a chair vs. on a stability ball—can negatively impact your health. For best results, switch back and forth between using a chair and a stability ball. And, don't forget to stand up throughout the work day to mitigate any possible health concerns associated with sitting for a long period of time. Want to learn more about how to build a stability ball into your own training or your personal fitness clients' routines? Check out AFPA's Stability Ball Training Certification. Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in February 2015 and has been revamped and updated for comprehensiveness.