Ergonomics refers to the study of people's efficiency in their workplace. The concept of ergonomic chairs started in the 1970s. Herman Miller and Bill Stumpf created the Ergon Chair back in 1976.
The Ergon Chair is the first chair of its kind that provided support for the spine. It featured a foam supported seat and backrest, gas-lift levers for height adjustment, and five-star legs that had easy-glide castors attached to it.
If you are planning to buy an ergonomic chair, this blog post is a must-read.
Table of Contents
Office chair vs. ergonomic chair
Things to consider in an ergonomic chair
The best ergonomic chairs worldwide
Agile's best ergonomic chairs
Office chair vs. ergonomic chair
An office chair has all the basic parts- backrest, armrest, height adjustment, and sometimes tilt adjustment. Even though it is made up of these parts, it is mostly fixed and you cannot customize it. You are the one who will adjust to whatever comfort a simple office chair can offer you.
On the contrary, the ergonomic chair comes with customizable parts that adjust to the level of comfort that you want. From its name alone, we can understand that it follows the principle of ergonomics. It prioritizes the well-being of its users.
The sought-after feature of ergonomic chairs is its lumbar support. It helps the user maintain proper posture and provides reinforcement for the back, neck and shoulders. For the most part, it prevents injuries and helps people maintain their focus while working.
Things to consider in an ergonomic chair
Lumbar Support
A good ergonomic chair will have proper adjustments in both height and depth to support the lumbar spine. The chair’s backrest should have a concave curve to facilitate weight distribution and reduce stress on the body.
Backrest
The normal width of a backrest is between 12 to 19 inches. It should be able to support the inward curve of the lumbar spine. If the user can adjust the recline of the backrest from anywhere between 110-130 degrees, it will reduce a portion of the weight that is exerted on their backs.
Seat height
One of the indicators of a good ergonomic office chair is the adjustment in its seat height (15-22 inches above the floor level). This range is suitable for people with a height of 5’ to 6’4”. When you sit on the ergonomic chair, your feet should be flat on the floor and your knees need to be positioned at a 90-degree angle.
Seat depth and width
The standard seat width is between 17-20 inches and the seat depth should be adequate in such a way that when the users sit down, their back can lean against the backrest. Both the seat depth and width should have ample space for the thighs to rest comfortably.
Armrests
Armrests should be adjustable and removable so that you can customize it according to the way you need to relax your body. Ideally, the armrest needs to be 7 to 10 inches above the seat pan.
The best ergonomic chairs worldwide
Herman Miller Aeron Chair
This is one of the highly-recommended ergonomic chairs since it comes in three sizes- small, medium, and large. It can accommodate buyers with different body types. Its height and seat depth and width are all adjustable.
The Herman Miller Aeron Chair was nicknamed as the “Dot Com Throne” by Brian Kennedy in his 2006 New York Magazine article.
Herman Miller Sayl
Herman Miller Sayl’s design leans toward the petite-framed users. It has height-adjustable arms, seat depth, lumbar support and a ventilated backrest to facilitate air circulation. Compared to the other Herman Miller models, it doesn’t have the complete range of customization features but it is an excellent choice for the standard ergonomic office chair.
Agile's best ergonomic chairs
Agile offers an excellent line of ergonomic chairs that are divided into two categories: lumbar support and lower back support.
Lumbar support chairs
The two best-selling models for lumbar support office chairs are:
The backrests of these chairs are designed to contour to your back. It also has a 3-lever mechanism that enables adjustments of the seat angle, height, and back angle. Additionally, it features a knob backrest height and tilt tension adjustment.
For the Eden Spectrum Chairs, you can choose between models that armrests and those that don’t.
Lower Back Support Chairs
Featuring mesh backrests, these are the best options for those who want a higher backrest than the normal office chairs. Both ergonomic chairs come with the complete adjustments for height and seat depth, simultaneous back and seat tilt as well as armrest.
The mesh material enhances air circulation while you work and its fabric-cushioned seat will ensure your comfort while you stay seated for eight hours or more.
Also, its wheel castors are easy to move around. That way, you can change the location of your chair whether the floor surface is hard or carpeted.
Get the best value here at Agile
If your budget is your main consideration, don’t let it hold you back. Agile’s ergonomic chairs come at a variety of prices and payment plans. Order one now!
