Ergonomic office chairs are designed to fit your body. They offer better support than non-ergonomic chairs and can help prevent back, neck or shoulder pain. Adjusting your chair to fit your body and workspace allows you to sit comfortably throughout the day without feeling fatigued or having back pain. Below are tips on how to set up an office chair that’s ergonomic
Seat height
Adjusting the seat height is one of the most important things to do when setting up an ergonomic chair. When you sit in your chair, your feet should be flat on the floor and your knees slightly lower than your hips for proper posture.
You want to adjust your seat height so that if you push down on two fingers with each hand (with no pressure), they will be at hip level or just below it. Aside from the seat height, you should also adjust the seat depth. When using a chair with an adjustable seat pan, it is important to adjust the seat using the following method: with your back against the chair's backrest, make sure there is at least one inch of space between the edge of the seat and the back of your knees.
Backrest
Setting up the backrest on your ergonomic chair is a simple process, and it can help you prevent back pain and other issues.
First, find your chair's backrest lever. This is usually on either side of the seat, close to where your legs rest. It will be raised from the rest of the chair and have a small handle attached to it. Pull up on that lever until you hear or feel a click. The backrest should now be set at its highest position.
If you have trouble getting into or out of this position, try adjusting the height of your chair instead of using the lever. The lever may only work for you if it allows for a sufficient range of motion or flexibility when lowering or raising itself from its full height position.
Footrest
When setting up an ergonomic chair, your footrest should be adjustable, so you can easily match the seat height. It should be at least as high as your seat.
You'll also want it to be stable and easy to adjust so that when you need to raise or lower it, it won't get stuck halfway through the adjustment process. Footrests with a locking mechanism are preferable because they're less likely to slip and drop unexpectedly.
Make sure your footrest isn't too high or too low — it shouldn't strain your knees unnecessarily by making them flex farther than they naturally do when sitting upright in a chair without one.
Armrests
Armrests should be able to move up and down and in and out. You should be able to adjust the width of the armrests so that you have a comfortable experience.
Adjustable armrests allow you to change how far away your hands are from the keyboard or mouse (depending on which hand is dominant), which can help reduce muscle strain over time.
The height of the armrests affects how high above your desk surface you'll sit, which affects posture and blood flow throughout your body. If possible, try adjusting them to ensure your elbows are at a 90-degree angle.
Neckrest and lumbar support
Adjust the headrest height to support your neck. This will help you maintain a neutral spine position, which is good for posture and pain management. Ideally, the back of your head should be in line with or slightly behind your shoulders when using this feature. Some chairs can be adjusted up to 10 centimetres high.
If your chair has adjustable lumbar support, use them only after adjusting their height, so they're parallel with your pelvis and don't interfere with proper seating posture. Some people need no additional support here, but others might need more than what's available through padding alone.
Tips for better ergonomics when sitting
If you're like most people, you spend at least eight hours of every day sitting down. And that can take a toll on your body.
But luckily, there are some simple things you can do to keep your body comfortable and healthy while you sit at your desk. Here are our top tips for better ergonomics when sitting:
- Keep your wrists straight and ensure your arms are at a 90-degree angle to your body.
- Adjust the height of your chair so that your feet rest comfortably on the floor. Use a footrest to get an even better position.
- Make sure your elbows are directly below your shoulders, not raised above them or held too close to your body.
- If you're looking down at a keyboard or mouse, keep your head in a neutral position (not tilted forward or back), and be sure to align your eyes with the top of the screen so that you don't have to look down too far.
- If possible, try switching between sitting and standing throughout the day — this will help keep things from getting too stiff!
Ergonomic office chairs — better for you than non-ergonomic ones
If you're sitting at a desk all day, whether it's at work or home, it is crucial to be aware of how your body moves when you sit. This can cause long-term health problems such as back pain, leg pain, muscle stiffness and even spinal degeneration. It is best to use an ergonomic office chair to avoid these issues.
An ergonomic chair offers countless benefits. It supports the spine in its natural position, reducing pressure on the lower back and other areas associated with poor posture. An ideal chair should have adjustable features that allow you to customise its position to meet your needs.
SIHOO — home of the best ergonomic office chairs in Australia
SIHOO ergonomic office chairs are a great investment for anyone who spends a lot of time in front of the computer. They come with many features that make them more comfortable and better for your back and posture. If you buy one, check out our tutorial on how to set up an ergonomic office chair so you can properly assemble it and comfortably use it throughout the day.
At SIHOO, we provide users with high-quality products and wonderful experiences. We have been the leading ergonomic furniture brand for years, with our products used in homes and offices. SIHOO's success is largely due to its commitment to quality and its focus on research and development.
Browse our catalogue of ergonomic chairs so you can find one that best fits your needs.