When you have to work for many hours sitting down, you know that one of the essential elements for your day to day life is an ergonomic chair. In this way, you can spend between 4 and 6 hours sitting without your back, shoulders or lower back suffering too much (the most expensive ones can give you 8 to 10 hours of protection). But, to know how to buy it, it is important to know what the parts of an ergonomic office chair are.
This is something that not everyone knows. In fact, it may be quite difficult to see in your own chair. And yet, this knowledge can help you know exactly which ergonomic office chair you need. And that is why today we are going to stop and we are going to discuss this topic with you.
What is an ergonomic chair
First of all, we are going to tell you exactly what is considered an ergonomic chair. And it is not just any chair that they sell you out there and they give you the adjective ergonomic. Not much less. In fact, They have a series of characteristics that you should take into account. Which are? We indicate them to you.
But first, what is an ergonomic chair? Its concept can be something like: that chair that has armrests, lumbar support, movement and whose objective is not only to support the body of a person and make it comfortable, but provide adequate support to the body in such a way that the parts that can be loaded the most are not affected (or deteriorate) when working for many hours sitting down.
In other words, these chairs are intended not only to serve to sit, but protect posture, improve comfort, and preserve health, especially of the spine, neck and lower back in order to reduce tension.
Does that make any chair? The truth is that no. And it is as simple as thinking of a chair, even the one you may have right now. Could you be working 8 hours on it without any pain? Do you have a shape that makes you have to constantly change your position or slouch because leaning your back against the backrest hurts? Then, sorry, you don't have an ergonomic chair.
What features should ergonomic chairs have?
A little above we have told you that we were going to clarify what the characteristics of ergonomic chairs are. And we're not going to keep you waiting:
- Seat height adjusts. In other words, you can put it at the height you want, although it is best to always keep your knees bent and form an angle of 90º with the ground. And yes, they have to put their feet on it.
- Tilting seats. This is not seen in all ergonomic chairs, but it is in the most recognized brand. It is a way to control the position of the pelvis with the hips and knees, in such a way that you get more comfort and also more freedom.
- Adjustable armrests. Specifically, we are referring to the fact that they can be moved to the sides, from the front to the back and even in height.
- Seat width and depth. This helps to improve the comfort of the person, but also to exert more or less pressure on the back of the knees.
- Lumbar support and recline. A few years ago it was thought that the problem of children being stooped was because they used chairs that were not straight, and everyone began to use those that fixed the backrest in such a way that it was torture to have to spend all day with the chair. straight back (if you didn't end up leaning forward, back cramps were guaranteed). Now, with ergonomic office chairs, it is known that the backrest must have lumbar support to reduce stress on the spine, but also that it can be adjusted and reclined to suit the person who uses it. It does not mean that you are going to use it as a "bed", but it does mean that you will find a suitable posture to reduce the tension of the back and muscles in the area.
- The only and most important thing, the have an area that supports the head and neck to reduce the tension that builds up in these parts.
Parts of an ergonomic office chair
Now yes, you already have a better idea of what an ergonomic chair entails. And it's the turn of know each of the parts of an ergonomic office chair. We will go one by one to tell you everything in as much detail as possible.
Headrest
Also known as header, header... It is the part that is responsible for keeping your neck and head supported on a comfortable surface and not loose.
For it to be suitable, you have to take into account that it must be adjustable in height and angle.
Wheel
The wheels are something essential in ergonomic chairs since in this way you can move with the chair without having to get up. Now, there are two types of wheels, some soft and others hard. Everything will depend on the type of sole you use, if carpet, parquet, tile, etc.
chair base
The base of the chair normally It is made up of a structure with several “legs” that end in the wheels. They can be five, six, seven… (it is the most common).
As for the material, it is made of aluminum or polyamide since they are two very resistant materials to support the weight of the person and the chair itself.
armrests
They are two elements that come out on both sides of the backrest and the seat and its function is to serve as a support for the person (so that you have a place to rest your arms). Normally the surface has a non-slip material to make them comfortable.
Backup
The backrest is one of the most important parts of an ergonomic office chair because it is the one that will safeguard both the back and the dorsal. Good ergonomic chairs have, in addition to a good backrest, an adjustable lumbar support system for the person to personalize it to their liking.
This piece is made with aluminum, polyamide, or polypropylene as the frame, and then breathable mesh is used so it doesn't get too hot or too cold as it's worn.
Seat
Another element that must be taken care of very well. It should not only be large enough for you to have a good grip on, but also It must be comfortable for you to spend hours in the chair.
Apart from having a frame that is usually made of the same material as the backrest, it has foam or injected foam to provide comfort.
Sables
In the top ergonomic chairs you will have different levers that are responsible for regulating the height of the seat, moving it forwards or backwards, tilting the backrest more or less, or raising or lowering it.
In this last sense also you should know that they have a gas piston, a component that is the one that expels the chair upwards so you can put it at the height you want.
As you can see, there are many parts to an ergonomic office chair, but all of them are easy to identify and to know what their function is. Is there one that is the most important to you?