How to choose a computer chair

After several hours spent in front of the computer, the desire to warm up is firmly embedded in the subconscious. Unconscious movements of the legs and back begin, rolling in the chair, often leading to falls. And this is all during the first protracted session of “wiping your pants.” What happens to the body if, due to duty, you have to sit in front of the monitor for 5–8, or even more hours? It is better not to try to check this on your own experience, but to purchase a computer chair. Its creators have already taken into account all the hardships of sedentary work and managed to minimize most of its consequences.

Tasks of a computer chair

There are many dangerous disadvantages of sedentary work, but the key ones are:

• poor circulation in the lower body;
• increased load on all parts of the spine;
• unnatural position of the forearms.

Good furniture should cope with the listed problems, minimizing the risk of “occupational” diseases.

What to pay attention to

Depending on the design features, such furniture is conventionally divided into 3 categories:

Budget — chairs for visitors. The maximum you can count on in these models is seat height adjustment.They are convenient enough for short-term use, but if you spend a full day in front of the monitor, then purchasing them makes no sense.

Staff chairs - average price category. They are distinguished by their modest design and the use of inexpensive materials. But they already provide almost everything that is necessary to maintain health in a sedentary job.

Executive chairs They are distinguished by high build quality, expensive materials and original design. Absolutely everything is adjustable in it: from the height and depth of the seat to the level of inclination of the headrest. But they cost accordingly.

Design

Only chairs of the middle and highest price categories help maintain correct posture, reducing the load on the spine and forearms. They differ:

• adjustable armrests that do not connect the back and seat, but are a convenient support point;
• rollers under the lower back and hips, ensuring correct body position and comfort;
• a headrest, the absence of which makes it impossible to relax your neck.

The back and seat of such chairs have an ergonomic shape, their sides are curved and raised. Thanks to this, body weight is distributed more evenly, which not only adds comfort, but also reduces the risk of circulatory problems.

Materials

The upholstery must be wear-resistant. Leather and natural fabrics are more expensive, but regardless of the room temperature, they are pleasant to sit on. Synthetics lose in this regard, but are cheaper. It is better to abandon leatherette “pseudo-chic” immediately - leatherettes wear out quickly.

The frame of the chair can be made of different materials, but preference should be given to the most reliable - metal.As for the crosspiece, a plastic version is also allowed - replacing it in case of breakage is easy and inexpensive.

Functionality

The ability to adjust the seat height is the main feature of an office chair. But if the desire to add comfort is combined with the opportunity not to save on it, you can safely choose models equipped with a synchromesh mechanism. Such furniture will replace a rocking chair and will not require adjustments each time you change position.

Adjustable height and angle of the armrests will eliminate the problem of forearms hanging in the air. And the adjustable headrest will allow you to achieve maximum compliance of the chair with the body of the owner.

Ergonomics

The characteristic shape of the seat and back, the ability to adjust their height and angle of inclination are designed to reduce circulatory problems, but they do not completely cope with the problem. Manufacturers also took this point into account, expanding the functionality of the chairs with the help of a footrest. There are even models that allow you to work in an almost vertical position.

Focusing on ergonomics, we can distinguish a separate category of such furniture - gaming furniture. The simplest models represent a cross between chairs for staff and managers, since they are designed to provide maximum comfort to those who are carried away by the game. Expensive models have almost unlimited transformation possibilities.

Some tips

A good computer chair cannot be too cheap - budget models are not much different from a regular chair and are intended only for short periods of time in front of the monitor. If you have to choose between a relatively cheap “boss chair” and an expensive option “for hard workers,” it is better to choose the latter.There may be slightly fewer functions, but the quality of workmanship guarantees a long service life.

Usually, when buying a chair, little attention is paid to its wheels. But for hard floors it is better to choose rubberized options, and dense plastic ones are good on a fleecy carpet. However, both of them eventually damage the coating underneath, so when buying furniture you should also get a special rug for it.