We all know the feeling, at the end of a long day behind the desk, your back is aching, your legs feel numb and your neck muscles are tight as a drum. This is because the chair you sit in all day long, does not provide the adequate support your body needs.
There are several things you should consider in a good office chair.
The Backrest-It is very important to maintain the natural S-shape of the spine, which makes lumbar support crucial. Look for an adjustable backrest, the outward curve should fit into the small of your back.
The Seat-The seat of the office chair needs to have height adjustment. Too high a seat can have you bending way over causing back strain. You need to be able to rest the sole of the foot on the floor with the back of the knee slightly higher than the seat of the chair. The seat should have a rounded edge and be wide enough to accomodate your hip comfortably.
The Armrest-I personally do not use the armrests on my chair. I find it more comfortable to rest my lower arms on my desk. But for those who do, make sure they are not too low that you have to lean or too high that your shoulders lift. Also make sure they are wide enough to allow movement but not too wide that you have to reach as this will cause muscle fatigue in the shoulders and neck.
Chair Base-The biggest issue here would be stability. You would want a chair with five legs for adequate support. Those chairs with four or less tend to tip. Also make sure the casters on the chair are made for the surface it will be on. For instance if you are on a rug you should have casters made for that purpose. You may want to invest in a chair mat if you are on a rug. This makes the chair roll easier and saves lots of wear on the rug.
I know this all seems like a lot to think about for a chair. But when you consider how much time you actually spend in your chair and the stress this can cause for your back, legs, and neck, I am sure you will see the benefits are well worth the effort and expense.
This is the first article in a series by Michelle Moglia of http://www.OfficeFurniture-1.com which carries a huge variety of name brand office furniture. Follow up articles will cover information about setting up productive computer workstations and workstation environments.