Just what is an ergonomic chair and is it worth the hype and the price? Welcome. Take a seat. As creators of top-of-the-line ergonomic chairs who have put decades of experience into creating the ultimate home office chair, we’ve got plenty to say on this topic.
What is an ergonomic chair? The definition
An ergonomic chair isn’t just a nicer looking office chair – it’s designed to aid how your body actually works. For instance, it supports your spine’s natural shape, helps you sit properly in order to prevent you from getting aches, pains and fatigue.
In fact, the word ‘ergonomics’ comes from Greek – ‘ergon’ meaning ‘work’ and ‘nomos’ meaning ‘laws’. This perfectly encapsulates how the principle of ergonomics is to use science to design furniture that comfortably supports your body through the working day in any way it can.
An unergonomic chair, on the other hand, is designed with no care for the person who sits in it. This can mean a lack of lumbar support, poor adjustability for height or even insufficient seat padding. As you can imagine, this outcome is a poor experience that eats into your focus and productivity.
So in essence, what an ergonomic chair means is that it’s built to fit you – not the other way around.
Why prioritise ergonomics
Since we all started working from home, back problems have gone through the roof. Our survey of 1,000 Brits found over half have more physical issues since working remotely, with 22% saying it’s gotten much worse.
What’s really scary is that only 39% of people working from home use a proper desk. The rest are hunched over kitchen tables (25%), slumped on sofas (23%), or making do with whatever’s around.
Worst of all, only 22% were provided with an actual ergonomic chair by their employer.
It’s no coincidence that physical problems are rising at the same time as people are working from kitchen chairs and sofas. The connection is clear – when we don’t include proper ergonomics in the workplace, our bodies pay the price.
Features of ergonomic chairs
Just what is it that makes a proper ergonomic chair different from a bog-standard traditional office chair? Or that dining chair you’re using while you work from the table?
Here are some of the common features that make ergonomic chairs better for your body.
Adjustable seat height
What it is: You can move the seat up and down to match your height and desk.
Why it matters: Your feet should be flat on the floor with your knees bent at 90 degrees. This helps blood flow and takes pressure off your lower back.
Slouch chairs: All our ergonomic chairs have easy height adjustment. Just pull the lever and find your perfect height – whether you’re 5’2″ or 6’4″.
Seat depth and width
What it is: A seat that’s the right size with adjustable depth for different leg lengths.
Why it matters: There should be a gap of 2 – 4 inches between the edge of your seat and the back of your knees. Too close and it cuts off circulation.
Slouch chairs: Our seats have a waterfall edge that stops pressure on your thighs and keeps blood flowing properly. Meaning no more swollen ankles or numb legs!
Backrest
What it is: The part of an ergonomic chair that supports your upper body.
Why it matters: A good backrest follows your spine’s natural curve and can be adjusted to give support exactly where you need it.
Slouch chairs: Our backrests adjust throughout the day as your needs change – whether you’re leaning forward to type or sitting back on a call. They support your body’s natural posture and follow your curves to keep your spine aligned. Goodbye back pain!
Lumbar support
What it is: Support for the curve in your lower back.
Why it matters: Good lumbar support keeps your spine in its natural ‘S’ shape and stops you from slouching. This in turn helps reduce stress on your back and pelvis.
Slouch chairs: Our chairs have adjustable lumbar support you can position exactly where your own back needs it.
Swivel function
What it is: The chair can rotate, letting you reach different areas without stretching.
Why it matters: The ability to swivel means you can reach all areas of your desk and surrounding storage without twisting your back.
Slouch chairs: Every Slouch chair has a smooth 360-degree swivel to keep your back in the perfect position.
Armrests
What it is: Supports for your arms and elbows.
Why it matters: Good armrests reduce tension in your shoulders and upper back. They need to be adjustable to keep your shoulders relaxed.
Slouch chairs: Our chairs have fully adjustable armrests you can set up to match your height, width, and the way you work. No more hunched shoulders or achy arms.
Breathable materials
What it is: Fabrics that let air flow through so you stay cool.
Why it matters: When you sit in the same place for hours, breathable materials like mesh can stop you from overheating, sweating and getting uncomfortable.
Slouch chairs: Our mesh chairs keep you cool even during the longest days. You can feel the difference straight away.
Want to see what our fabrics look like in your space? Order free samples and we’ll send them to you within 5 days.
Recline capability
What it is: The ability to lean back properly while still getting support.
Why it matters: Reclining now and then takes pressure off your spine and gives your back muscles a break. It’s good to change positions throughout the day.
Slouch chairs: Our chairs have smooth tilt mechanisms so you can lean back while still getting proper support. Your body needs to move during the day, not stay frozen in one position.
Hopefully now you can see that there’s no one defining thing that makes a chair ergonomic, it’s the combination of smart features that makes the sit more comfortable.
The science-backed benefits of an ergonomic chair
Investing in an ergonomic chair isn’t just about being comfy – although that is a big part of it. It’s also about looking after your health. Here’s what research shows:
Less back pain & better posture
Studies show ergonomic chairs genuinely reduce back pain. One study in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine found workers who got proper ergonomic chairs had 54% less lower back pain after just one month.
The lumbar support and adjustments work together to keep your spine aligned properly, taking strain off your muscles and discs.
Get more done without distractions
It’s simple – when you’re not constantly fidgeting and aching, you can focus better. Research from Smith & Bayehi found good ergonomic chairs and desks boosted productivity by around 17%.
Fewer aches and pains
Sitting badly for years leads to all sorts of musculoskeletal problems in your muscles, nerves, and joints. Health experts say proper ergonomic seating is one of the best ways to prevent these issues.
Better circulation
The waterfall edge and height adjustments keep blood flowing properly to your legs, stopping swelling, pins and needles, and more serious issues like deep vein thrombosis that can happen when sitting in badly designed chairs.
Long-term health
Beyond just feeling better today, ergonomic chairs help prevent chronic problems that build up over years. Your future self will thank you for taking care of your body now.
Consider a standing desk for ultimate ergonomics
Pair your ergonomic chair with a height-adjustable desk for the ideal working set up. Being able to switch between sitting and standing throughout the day is proven to be great for your body in a whole host of ways.
At Slouch, we only make height-adjustable desks because we’re convinced by the health benefits. Our standing desks are designed to look sleek in matching colours to our office chairs and make changing positions as simple as pressing a button.
Find out more about the benefits of a sit stand desk.
How to choose the right ergonomic chair
Before you invest in an ergonomic chair, use this quick checklist to make sure it has all the features you need, not just a bigger price tag.
- Adjustable height – The chair should allow you to sit with your feet flat on the floor and thighs parallel to the ground.
- Proper seat depth – Look for an adjustable seat pan that leaves 2 – 4 inches between the edge of the seat and the back of your knees.
- Adjustable backrest – A backrest that can be moved to support your specific spine shape with lumbar support.
- Breathable materials – Mesh fabric or other breathable materials that prevent heat and moisture buildup.
- Adjustable armrests – Arms that adjust in height, width, and angle to support your arms without raising your shoulders.
- Swivel function – A smooth 360-degree swivel base that lets you reach different areas of your workspace.
- Adjustable tilt tension – The ability to control how much resistance you feel when reclining.
- Quality castors/wheels – Protect your floor from office chair wheels by selecting the right style for your floor type.
- Durable construction – Look for quality materials and construction that will stand up to years of daily use.
Keep these features in mind and you’ll be able to choose an ergonomic chair that truly supports your body.
Ready to upgrade your work experience with a proper ergonomic chair? Check out Slouch’s collection for an award-winningly comfortable office chair.
Need a hand with something? Get in touch at [email protected] – we’ll be happy to help.
